Black Queer Pride NY Shorts
Our annual short film showcase celebrates unapologetic Black LGBTQ+ joy, love, family, and excellence – with all stories set within the intimate interiors and out on the vibrant streets of New York City. When a ballet company holds auditions for a competitive apprenticeship, a perfection-driven dancer has their world upended by a rival who rekindles their love for the craft. After receiving a call from her crush, a naive 17-year-old must decide between looking after her grandmother or losing her virginity. On her last night in the dorms, a faithful Catholic undergraduate trades salvation for sin, diving headfirst into a tangle of lust, love, and betrayal that confession can’t absolve. After losing someone dear to her, fem finds the courage to confront her Jamaican father about his absences. A conversation that leads to an unspoken truth. Shot on 35mm and 16mm, Road Runner is an experimental meditation on moving incognegro through the world as a Black person of Trans experience—a portrait of what it means to
Description
Join us for NewFest Pride’s annual short film showcase that celebrates unapologetic Black LGBTQ+ joy, love, family, and excellence. All roads lead to “we” in this homegrown collection of stories that feature artistic aspirations, intergenerational connections, and budding romances – all set within the intimate interiors and out on the vibrant streets of New York City.
FLY
Dir. Carlton Daniel Jr., 14 min, USA
When a ballet company holds auditions for a competitive apprenticeship, a perfection-driven dancer has their world upended by a rival who rekindles their love for the craft.
JAYLAH
Dir. Christina Batte, 9 min, USA
After receiving a call from her crush, a naive 17-year-old must decide between looking after her grandmother or losing her virginity.
HAIL MAYA
Dir. Fredgy Noël, 15 min, USA
On her last night in the dorms, a faithful Catholic undergraduate trades salvation for sin, diving headfirst into a tangle of lust, love, and betrayal that confession can’t absolve.
IF ONLY YOU KNEW
Dir. Safiyah Chiniere, 20 min, USA
After losing someone dear to her, fem finds the courage to confront her Jamaican father about his absences. A conversation that leads to an unspoken truth.
ROAD RUNNER
Dir. Yaz Josiah, 6 min, USA
Shot on 35mm and 16mm, Road Runner is an experimental meditation on moving incognegro through the world as a Black person of Trans experience—a portrait of what it means to honor ourselves now, in motion, before the world catches up.
FOR LOVE
Dir. Micah Cyrus, 18 min, USA
Flustered with his static life in love and career, a mid 30s man takes a chance at romance with an affable beau from Mexico City after putting himself aside for nearly a decade.
The in-person screening will be followed by a Q&A, moderated by Brandon Nick (filmmaker; host/producer, Film Festival Friends podcast)
Part of NewFest Pride 2026
Director
Carlton Daniel Jr. , Christina Batte, Fredgy Noël, Safiyah Chiniere , Yaz Josiah, Micah Cyrus
Producer
Film/Series) Carlton Daniel Jr. , Madeleine Tran, Fredgy Noël, Rox Campbell , Yaz Josiah, Micah Cyrus, Natalie Eakin, Charles Wilson
Writer
Carlton Daniel Jr. , Christina Batte, Fredgy Noël, Safiyah Chiniere, Yaz Josiah, Micah Cyrus
Cast
Jeremy Villas, Maxfield Haynes, Guinevere Turner, Aldo Katton, Ashley Hernandez, Ana Gates Shields, Florence Regina, Ra'Mya Latiah Aikens- Jolie Amanda Morrow-Maya, FEM: Ashley Hernandaz WINSTON: Adrian Sinclaire JONNY: Steve Attie FATHER: Gregory Jordan DAUGHTER: Serenity Molano , B Gibbs Kneaku Ashae Zyaire Layne Ziah Minor Jasiel Lampkin , Julian Elijah Martinez, Taylor Blackman, Ashlei Hazell, David Yi