QFilms Long Beach, Long Beach’s oldest film festival, returns September 30 – October 3 to celebrate the diversity of LGBTQ people and their allies with screenings outdoors, indoors and online.
New this year is an evening of Latinx short films shown at Long Beach’s Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), CORTOS: Latinx Queer Shorts is one of two Opening Night events happening.
From the director of Disney’s hit movie Raya and the Last Dragon, Carlos López Estrada brings Summertime, a poetry slam musical about the intersecting lives of 27 Angelenos in one day.
Other notable films include Chloris Leachman’s last starring role in Jump, Darling; a documentary about jazz musician Billy Tipton who was revealed after his death that he was transgender; Yes, I Am: The Ric Weiland Story about the queer activist who was one of Microsoft’s first employees; and the program Queermation: Animated Shorts.
In its 28th year the festival returns with a hybrid of programming options for film fans to see the best in queer cinema in person, outdoors and online in a safe and welcoming environment.
“The power of people connecting through the movies is more powerful than any virus, fear or prejudice that we have faced during the pandemic,” said Carlos Torres, executive director of the LGBTQ Center Long Beach. “We took great care this year insuring that QFilms will be a safe place in all sense of the word for our community and our allies to join together to celebrate beautiful stories of survival, creation, comradery and romance.”
The Center has prioritized festival goers’ safety and will be following the most up-to-date public health guidelines. In 2020, QFilms switched to an all-streaming festival. Proof of vaccination is mandatory for all in person screenings and festivalgoers are encouraged to arrive early to navigate the process. Those who cannot show proof of vaccination will not be allowed entry.
Tickets range from $10 for individual presentations to $150 for a VIP All Access to all films, the Filmmakers Lounge, an opening night catered by Buono’s Pizzeria, and a Sunday brunch catered by Lola’s Mexican at The Center.
The festival benefits the work of the LGBTQ Center Long Beach which includes legal services including domestic violence assistance, youth and family support, senior programs, transgender health programs, mental health counseling, HIV treatment and more.
A full schedule of the 62 films and tickets are available at www.QFilmsLongBeach.com.
