The LGBT Toronto Film Festival: five from around the world
Drew Rowsome
20 May 2019.


Just before the closing galas of Inside Out and smack in the middle of their programming, another LGBT film festival runs for one night only. Five short films from around the world have been curated by . . . well there's the mystery. The press release came from the WILDsound Festival and the LGBT Toronto Film Festival is listed as part of their programming. WILDsound has a weekly screening of short films as well as hosting readings of screenplays and moderating feedback screenings. Three times a year, the weekly screenings are of specifically LGBT short films.

Unfortunately the LGBT website is full of broken links and missing information but the good news is that the festival is free, you just have to email festival@lgbttorontofilmfestival.com in advance to reserve a seat or seats. Or go to the website, lgbttorontofilmfestival.com and click "Buy Now" to be lead to a polite invitation encouraging donations or PWYC to cover the cinema rental costs. The festival is at the funky and fun Carlton Cinemas (licensed!) right on the edge of the Village and is an early night, leaving time for discussion at Woody's afterwards.

The first film, There's Still Good, is a drama wherein "Will, a young black student from Cape Town travels to the suburbs with his white boyfriend, K, to meet Joy, K’s mother." The meeting does not necessarily go well as "the boys leave the house the following afternoon, their relationship irrevocably altered." All in 12 minutes. Next up is a "surreal comedy" The Brother from the UK. The blurb is very vague (even for a film festival) but the publicity image includes two lesbians and an androgynously ambiguous character in a tuxedo and a horse mask, carrying a coffin. Probably worth investing in the four minute running time.

After 20 minutes of the Slovenian Risk, a challenge to gender stereotypes through exploring the different reactions of the male and female minds (?), there is a second act where the gritty gay stuff starts. The Canadian drama Freefall looks moody and romantic with lingering stares over a softly lit piano. "After Ivan was diagnosed with ALS, his relationship with Lucas is challenged when he starts to lose control of his own body." Whether uplifting or ugly cry-inducing, it all happens in 16 minutes.

Lots of toned male skin is on display in Champ. "MMA fighter Mike is forced to 'come out' and he wants the title. Fight for dignity, recognition & respect!" My big question is why the phrasal verb "come out" is in quotations but the film is from Germany so it may be a translation thing. At 20 minutes, Champ is the longest film of the evening but, with a mixture of sex, violence, skin and blood, it should hold interest. 

It is unclear if this event is part of the much vaunted "audience feedback format" but an LGBT film festival practically guarantees feedback regardless. And anything that promotes or gives an audience to LGBT artists of any kind, deserves support and encouragement.