With the exception of a handful that didn’t have advance screeners, I have seen all the shorts in the ten shorts programs of this year’s Frameline. Here are my thoughts.
First, by way of “tl;dr,” the best overall program is “It’s a Family Affair,” followed by runner-up “Outside Voices.” “First Impressions,” “Fun in Shorts,” “Homegrown,” and “Scared Shortless” are all pretty good.
The program I liked least overall is “Queer Quickies,” although obviously that is a category of film very much subject to individual tastes, so your mileage may vary. “Alien Extravaganza” and “Saturday Morning Cartoons” are mixed bags, with some very good and some not so good. “Truth Be Told” is dragged down by a single clunker, but it’s 30% of the runtime of the whole program.
Links to my full reviews are below, with lists of the films in each program. A red question mark ❓ indicates a film that was not available for advance review. Some of those will be filled in later, either from in-person screenings or from the online streaming part of the festival, so stay tuned.
The notation WCSS indicates that this short is available in the Digital Screening Room as part of the “Wild Combination Streaming Shorts” program. The notation QQSS indicates that this short is available in the Digital Screening Room as part of the “Queer Quartet Streaming Shorts” program.
“Alien Extravaganza” (shorts program)
Monday, June 23, 3:30pm, Vogue Theatre
also available in the Digital Screening Room
- Arctic Diva π, dir. Federico Barni, 2025, UK, 17 min., π North American premiere
- Entre Marte y la Terra (Between Mars and Earth) π, dir. Diego Marzuil, 2023, Argentina, 11 min., in Spanish, π North American premiere
- Br00dm0ther’s e-Fable π, dir. Zijing Zhao, 2024, UK, 8 min., π North American premiere
- The Burden π, dir. Tish Arana, 2023, USA, 15 min., in English and Japanese
- But wait… there’s more! π₯±π, dir. Kialy Tihngang, 2023, UK, 3 min., πΊπΈ U.S. premiere
- The Last Story on Earth π, dir. Aaron Immediato, 2024, USA, 18 min.
- PRIMALDIAL MAGMA _ ZYGMUTROPHOOZE ❓, dir. Mirrored Fatality, 2024, USA, 7 min. [not reviewed]
- REDMAN π, dir. Edith Morris, 2025, UK, 1 min., πΊπ³ International premiere
- Space Plug π, dir. Marcus Anthony Thomas, 2023, UK, 14 min., no dialogue
“First
Impressions, Lasting Connections: Date Night Shorts”
Tuesday, June 24, 8:30pm, New Parkway Theater, Oakland
also available in the Digital Screening Room
- Divine Intervention π, dir. Ravenna Tran, 2024, UK, 17 min.
- Hold Me Close π, dir. Aurora Brachman & LaTajh Simmons-Weaver, 2025, USA, 19 min.
- I’m the Most Racist Person I Know π, dir. Leela Varghese, 2025, Australia, 13 min.
- Un movimiento extraΓ±o (An Odd Turn) π, dir. Francisco Lezama, 2024, Argentina/France, 22 min., in Spanish with subtitles
π honorable mention: 2025 Frameline Best Narrative Short jury award
“Fun in Shorts” (shorts program)
Sunday, June 22, 11:00am, Roxie Theater
Saturday, June 28, 3:30pm, Roxie Theater
also available in the Digital Screening Room (except Gender Reveal)
- Gender Reveal π, dir. Mo Matton, 2024, Canada, 13 min., in English and French [in-person only]
- Girlfriend Girlfriend π, dir. Sara Werner, 2025, USA, 5 min., π World premiere
- Homolita π, dir. Jude Dry, 2025, USA, 8 min.
- Poreless π, dir. Harris Doran, 2025, USA, 13 min.
- Sister! π, dir. John Onieal, 2025, USA, 14 min.
- Space Daddy π, dir. Stephen Carruthers, 2025, UK, 10 min., π World premiere
- Sweet Talkin’ Guy π, dir. Spencer Wardwell & Dylan Wardwell, 2025, USA, 4 min.
- Teth π, dir. Peter Darney, 2024, UK, 13 min., in Welsh, π North American premiere
“Homegrown” (2025 shorts program)
Friday, June 20, 1:30pm, Roxie Theater
Saturday, June 28, 11:00am, Roxie Theater
also available in the Digital Screening Room
- AutoErotica: We Buy Gay Stuff π, dir. Jeremy von Stilb, 2025, USA, 17 min.,
π World premiere
π honorable mention: 2025 Frameline Best Documentary Short jury award - Budget Paradise π, dir. LaTajh Simmons Weaver, 2025, USA, 14 min.
- En memoria π, dir. Roberto Fatal, 2024, USA/Mexico, 11 min., in English and Spanish
- Liminality π, dir. Tess Bliven, 2025, USA, 13 min.
- Rainbow Girls π, dir. Nana Duffuor, 2025, USA, 16 min., π World premiere
- Thanks, Babs! π, dir. Jen Rainin & Rivkah Beth Medow, 2025, USA, 14 min.,
π World premiere
π honorable mention: 2025 Frameline Best Documentary Short jury award
“It’s a Family Affair” (shorts program)
Saturday, June 28, 1:00pm, Roxie Theater
not available in the Digital Screening Room
- Correct Me If I’m Wrong (ε¦δ½ ζζΏ) π, documentary, dir. Hao Zhou, 2025, Germany/USA, 23 min., in Mandarin Chinese
- Grandma Nai, Who Played Favorites (α ៅαំαα្αα ិα្α) π, dir. Chheangkea, 2025, Cambodia/France/USA, 19 min., in Khmer
- Tara π, dir. Ashutosh S. Shankar, 2025, India/UK/USA, 23 min., in Hindi & English, π World premiere
- Who Raised You? π, dir. Dani Guzman, 2025, USA, 10 min. WCSS
- You Don’t Have to Like Me π, dir. Safiyah Chiniere, 2023, USA, 10 min. QQSS; (also screened at QWOCFF 2024)
“Outside Voices: Leaders in Queer Cinema Supported by Colin Higgins Foundation,”
Wednesday, June 25, 6:00pm, Roxie Theater
3 out of 4 available in two different programs in the Digital Screening Room
- Baba I’m Fine π, dir. Karina Dandashi, 2025, USA, 13 min., in English and Arabic WCSS
- Barbie Boy π, dir. Remi Gabriel, 2024, USA, 15 min., in English and Spanish
π winner: 2025 Colin Higgins Foundation award - A Bird Hit My Window and Now I’m a Lesbian π,
dir. AJ Dubler & Carmela Murphy, 2024, USA, 8 min. WCSS
π winner: 2025 Colin Higgins Foundation award - Unholy π, dir. Daisy Friedman, 2025, USA, 13 min., in English and Hebrew QQSS
“Queer Quickies” (2025 erotic shorts program)
Monday, June 23, 10:00pm, Roxie Theater
not available in the Digital Screening Room, except Orgy Every Other Day
⚠️π content advisory: sexually explicit content
- The angel π, dir. Dorian Wood, 2023, USA, 18 min.
- Fist π, dir. Romy AlizΓ©e, 2021, France, 3 min., no dialogue
- O Faz-Tudo (The Handyman) ❓, dir. FΓ‘bio Leal, 2025, Brazil, 5 min., in Portuguese, π North American premiere [not reviewed]
- Mouse Klub Konfidential π, dir. James Robert Baker, 1976, USA, 15 min., π World premiere of the newly restored film
- A Night in the Life π, dir. Jonzu, 2025, USA, 6 min.
- Orgy Every Other Day π, dir. Samuel DΓΆring, 2024, Germany/USA, 13 min. WCSS
- Romy et Laure… et le mystΓ¨re du plug enchantΓ© (Romy & Laure… and the Mystery of the Enchanted Plug) π, dir. Romy AlizΓ©e & Laure Giappiconi, 2020, France, 12 min., in French Romy et Laure et le mystere du plug enchante
- The Wash π₯±, dir. Mike Feswick, 2025, USA, 14 min.
“Saturday Morning Cartoons” (adult shorts program)
Saturday, June 21, 2025, 11:00am, Roxie Theater
also available in the Digital Screening Room (except
27, Carrotica, and Pour exister/What It Takes)
⚠️π content advisory: adult material
- 27 π, dir. FlΓ³ra Anna Buda, 2023, France/Hungary, 11 min., in Hungarian [not streaming, but available free online]
- Carrotica π, dir. Daniel Sterlin-Altman, 2024, Germany, 13 min., πΊπΈ U.S. premiere [not streaming]
- Quimera (Chimera) π, dir. Gael Jara & MartΓn AndrΓ©, 2024, Chile, 11 min., in Spanish
- The Eating of an Orange π, dir. May Kindred-Boothby, 2024, UK, 7 min.
π winner: 2025 Frameline Best Narrative Short jury award - ε¨ηΈ (Hey, Dad) π, dir. Wei-Fan Wang, 2024, Taiwan, 6 min., in Mandarin Chinese
- Homunculus π, dir. Bonheur SuprΓͺme, 2025, France/Italy, 17 min., in French, English, Italian, and Russian, πΊπΈ U.S. premiere
- Tiger Lily Mountain Pass π, dir. Nate King, 2024, USA, 5 min.
- Two Black Boys in Paradise π, dir. Baz Sells, 2025, UK, 9 min.
- Pour exister (What It Takes) ❓, dir. Fabien Corre & Kelsi Phα»₯ng, 2023, France, 2 min., in French [not streaming, not reviewed]
“Scared Shortless” (shorts program)
Saturday, June 28, 2025, 5:45 pm, Roxie Theater
also available in the Digital Screening Room
⚠️ content advisory: verbal and physical abuse, intentional self-harm
- Clean Slate π, dir. Emily May Jampel, 2025, USA, 9 min.
- Dope Fiend π, dir. Rosanagh Griffiths, 2023, UK, 13 min.
- Goodbye Party π, dir. Sophia Lou & Nathan Pearson, 2025, USA, 13 min. π World premiere
- The Holly King π, dir. Tim O’Leary, 2025, USA, 10 min.
- Munchies π, dir. Brittany Alexia Young, 2025, USA, 11 min.
- ⚠️Take Care π, dir. Brittany Ashley, 2025, USA, 11 min. π World premiere
- ⚠️Talk Shit π, dir. Will Thede & Ben Weiss, 2025, USA, 13 min.
“Truth Be Told” (2025 documentary shorts)
Tuesday, June 24, 3:30pm, Vogue Theatre
also available in the Digital Screening Room
⚠️ content advisory:
suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, strong language
Frameline description: At a time when so much of our queer culture is under attack, this program celebrates the archives and the memories of our ancestors and paves a path toward our future.
- ⚠️Dr. XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology π, dir. El Jaunts, 2024, UK, 14 min., πΊπΈU.S. premiere
- Everywhere I Look π, dir. November Nolan, 2025, USA, 16 min.
- Lloyd Wong, Unfinished π₯±, dir. Lesley Loksi Chan, 2025, Canada, 29 min., πΊπΈU.S. premiere
- The Roaming Center for Magnetic Alternatives π, dir. Brydie O’Connor, 2025, USA, 20 min., π World premiere
- Shelly’s Leg π, dir. Wes Hurley, 2025, USA, 16 min.
“Queer Quartet Streaming Shorts”
Each of these shorts screened either in one of the shorts programs or paired with a feature film. For each film, the first link is to the Frameline page for that specific short. The second link is to the Film Queen Review entry containing my full review.
- Unholy π, dir. Daisy Friedman, 2025, USA, 13 min., theater screening in the “Outside Voices: New Leaders in Queer Cinema Supported by Colin Higgins Foundation” shorts program, Film Queen Review
- Lesbian Custody π, dir. Samuael Topiary & Molly Skonieczny, 2025, USA, 18 min., Film Queen Review, theater screening with In the Best Interests of the Children
- You Don’t Have to Like Me π, dir. Safiyah Chiniere, 2023, USA, 10 min., theater screening in the “It’s a Family Affair” shorts program, Film Queen Review;
(also screened at QWOCFF 2024)
- MΔhΕ«: A Trans-Pacific Love Letter π, dir. Lisette Marie Flanary, 2025, USA, 30 min., screened separately with a live performance, Film Queen Review
“Wild Combination Streaming Shorts” (streaming-only compilation)
Each of these shorts screened either in one of the shorts programs or paired with a feature film. For each film, the first link is to the Frameline page for that specific short. The second link is to the Film Queen Review entry containing my full review.
-
A Bird Hit My Window and Now I’m a Lesbian π (from “Outside Voices”), dir. AJ Dubler & Carmela Murphy, 2024, USA, 8 min.
π winner: 2025 Colin Higgins Foundation award
-
Carpobrotus π (reviewed separately, paired with
Queerpanorama,
FQR entry), dir. Simon Frenay, 2024, France, 22 min.
-
Baba, I’m Fine π (from “Outside Voices”), dir. Karina Dandashi, 2025, USA, 13 min.
-
Who Raised You? π (from “It’s a Family Affair”), dir. Dani Guzman, 2025, USA, 10 min.
- Orgy Every Other Day π (from “Queer Quickies”), dir. Samuel DΓΆring, 2024, Germany/USA, 13 min.
Miscellaneous shorts in other programs
-
The Age of Flowering Plants (La era de las plantas con flor) ❓ [not reviewed],
dir. Magaly Ugarte de Pablo, 2025, Mexico, 18 min., in Spanish with subtitles,
π North American premiere,
screens with
The Serpent’s Skin (❓ not reviewed)
-
Carpobrotus π, dir. Simon Frenay, 2024, France, 22 min., in French with subtitles,
screens with
Queerpanorama and in “Wild Combination Streaming Shorts”
-
Gangbang π, dir. Christian Meola, 2023, USA, 6 min.,
screens with
Coming Attractions: An Orgy of Gay Erotic Movie Trailers
-
Lesbian Custody π, documentary, dir. Samuael Topiary & Molly Skonieczny, 2025, USA, 18 min.,
screens with π
In the Best Interests of the Children and in “Queer Quartet Streaming Shorts,”
-
Like What Would Sorrow Look (ζδ½η) ❓, dir. Hao Zhou, 2024, Canada/Japan/Germany, 18 min.,
in Mandarin Chinese and English with subtitles,
screened with π Silent Sparks, (❓ short not available for advance review, feature reviewed separately)
-
Tessitura π, documentary, dir. Lydia Cornett & Brit Fryer, 2025, USA, 18 min.,
in English, French, German, and Italian, screens with π Really Happy Someday
π winner: 2025 Frameline Best Documentary Short jury award
No comments:
Post a Comment