https://honolulumuseum.org/events/films/17103-shorts_showcase
Shorts Showcase
https://honolulumuseum.org/events/films/17103-shorts_showcase
Coming out as millennial queer teens, a young trans woman’s physical transition as the beginning rather than an end point, the pitfalls and swoon of an awkward first crush and a chance reunion after high school, bruised masculinity and comically fumbling (hetero)sexuality, growing old and alone and making peace with the past…
Laugh, cry and immerse yourself in our hilarious, uplifting, intimate, and heartfelt program of must-see, award winning shorts from the world’s leading film festivals, as we celebrate the LGBTQ experience.
Are We Good Parents?
Directed by Bola Ogun. 2017. USA. 9 min.
When Lauren and Bill’s 14-year-old daughter says she’s going to her first dance with her classmate Ryan, they welcome the news with excitement—and hesitation. Lauren and Bill always assumed their daughter was gay in the same way that most parents assume their child is straight (until given notice). Suddenly, they worry they have not provided an open environment that allows their daughter to be herself. So they do some introspection on their own parenting and ask, “Are we good parents?” Premiered at 2018 SXSW.
Lily
Directed by Graham Cantwell. 2017. Ireland. 22 min.
Together, best friends Lily and Simon navigate the treacherous waters of school life. But when a misunderstanding with the beautiful and popular Violet leads to a vicious attack, Lily is faced with the greatest challenge of her young life. Winner of the Youth Award at the 2017 Iris Prize Festival.
For Nonna Anna
Directed by Luis de Filippis. 2017. Canada. 13 min.
As a young trans woman cares for her Italian grandmother, she discovers a tender bond in their shared vulnerability. Making huge strides for trans filmmakers and trans representation, Canadian transgender and non-binary filmmaker Luis de Filippis won the 2018 Sundance Special Jury Short Film Award with the film For Nonna Anna, which stars transgender actress and YouTube vlogger Maya Henry.
Marguerite
Directed by Marianne Farley. 2017. Canada. 19 min.
An aging woman and her nurse develop a friendship that inspires her to unearth unacknowledged longing—and thus help her make peace with her past. Winner of the Best Fiction or Documentary Short Film Award at the 2018 Zinegoak Bilbao Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
Men Don’t Whisper
Directed by Jordan Firstman. 2017. USA. 22 min.
After being emasculated at a sales conference, gay couple Reese and Peyton decide the only way to regain their confidence and prove their masculinity is to sleep with some women. When they meet fellow conference attendees and pleasure seekers Beth and Dominique, it seems like a perfect match. Unfortunately, sealing the deal is easier said than done. Played at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and 2018 SXSW.
The Dare Project
Directed by David Brind + Adam Salky. 2005. USA. 32 min.
In the award-winning original DARE (2005), high school teens Ben and Johnny share one slightly dangerous, very sexy, boundary-pushing night in a swimming pool. In the fan-demanded sequel (2018), Ben and Johnny, who are now in their early 30s, fortuitously run into each other at a party in LA after not seeing each other since high school. They find their original magnetic connection is still strong, but what can they do about it?
The original short played at over 50 film festivals and later became a mainstream feature (Emmy Rossum, Zach Gilford, Alan Cumming, Ana Gasteyer, Rooney Mara) that was selected for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. However, it was when Adam Salky uploaded the original short film to YouTube that it amassed 12 million views and a massive fan base, becoming one of the most viewed gay short films on YouTube.
Guests in attendance:
David Brind (The Dare Project) wrote the short and feature films Dare, the latter a Grand Jury Prize nominee at Sundance. His work has screened at the most prestigious film festivals around the world including Tribeca, BFI, Hamptons, Frameline, and OUTfest. More recently, David completed the screenplay adaptation of Leverage for Academy-Award winning producer Stanley Jaffe (Kramer vs. Kramer). He has sold TV projects to NBC/Universal and others. David’s play I Want to Be Evil has had readings in New York featuring Alan Cumming, Sandra Bernhard, and Jonathan Groff. David currently teaches screenwriting at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.
