SHORTS: QUEER TEEN MOXIE

For the seventh consecutive year, NewFest is delighted to collaborate with NYC’s Department of Education and participating schools on this uplifting shorts program curated specifically for LGBTQ+ teen audiences. These affirming, upbeat short films from emerging filmmakers give young queer folks the opportunity to see themselves reflected on screen and inspiration to share their own stories. This year’s lineup features a varied mixture of narrative, nonfiction and animation—from a tarot card reader to a quinceañera to discoveries at camp and more!

The in-person screening of this program on Thursday, October 17th at 4pm is open exclusively to LGBTQ+ students and staff, youth organizations and school GSAs. Registration is free. For GSA leaders, students and school staff, please contact gsafilm@newfest.org with your information to inquire and receive a registration form.

Presented in Partnership with the NYC Department of Education


SATURDAY RITUAL
Dir. Sydne Horton, 12 min, USA
Cammie’s relationship with her soccer mates is put to the test when a psychic reveals a hidden truth.


¡NAILS!
Dir. Eliana Pipes, 5 min, USA
When Catalina develops a crush on a girl in her Quinceañera court her fingernails begin to grow at a superhuman pace — a blessing in Black and Latina beauty culture, but a curse for a lesbian (at first glance).


HELLO STRANGER
Dir. Amélie Hardy, 16 min, Canada
Between loads of laundry at the corner laundromat, Cooper shares the tumultuous story of her gender reassignment journey.


SCRAP FABRIC
Dir. Jake Muñoz Consing, 11 min, Philippines
Fearing her mother’s disapproval, a trans teenage girl sews her own prom dress using her mother’s retaso (“scrap fabric”).


GRACE
Dir. Natalie Jasmine Harris, 14 min, USA
Sixteen-year-old Grace prepares for her baptism in the rural 1950’s South. When she learns she must repent before the ritual, Grace contemplates her romantic feelings toward her best friend Louise.


BLUE BOY
Dir. Nik Dodani, 15 min, USA
After experiencing an otherworldly vision, an inquisitive Indian-American boy convinces himself that he’s the reincarnation of the Hindu god Krishna. Turns out he’s just gay.


BRIM BROOME BOULEVARD
Dir. PJ Magerko-Liquorice, 7 min, USA
In need of some retail therapy? Welcome to Brim Broome Boulevard! When a child wanders through a set of mysterious doors, they embark on a journey of self-discovery where fear and fashion intertwine.


WE MET AT CAMP
Dir. MC Plaschke, 16 min, USA
A young girl, confused about her sexuality, tries to prove to her summer camp bunkmates that her fake crush on the boy’s counselor isn’t so fake at all.

Co-Presented by