French Touch: Girls on Fire

In Ethiopia, in a small country school, children have a lesson on the Millennium Development Goals. But one of the pupils, Tiya, is distracted, she doesn’t listen. She is staring at the window. Outside, some children are playing rugby... Abderrahmane Sissako's contribution to 8 (2008).

In a Copenhagen motel, a politician's hookup doesn't go to plan. Meanwhile at a nightclub, a mother and son are connected via song. Whereas in the suburbs, a football team prepares for the big outing - of one of its players. The 5 short films are: Hotel Boy (2018); Poz (2016); Young Man's Dance [Ung mands dans] (2014); Swans [Svans] (2016); Ladyboy (2011).

Across the boundaries they find each other... in this post-colonial romance. A cynical English professor discovers love in the form of an admiring student. But is it too late for him to find happiness?

Jason Gould satirizes coming out in Hollywood in Inside Out, starring Alexis Arquette and papa Elliot Gould. Lane Janger's Just One Time was a festival favorite recently expanded into a feature film that turns the tables on a groom-to-be and his fantasies of sex with two women. Bradley Rust Gray's Hitch follows two attractive young guys on a dizzying road trip that leads them toward sexual self-discovery. David Fournier's Majorettes in Space is a witty French spoof of post-modern sex, romance, relationships, the Pope and baton-twirling majorettes. And, Gregory Cooke's $30 is the bittersweet story of a closeted teen presented with a young prostitute on his 16th birthday.

Work up a sweat from the soccer field to the locker room in these drama-fueled four films from Germany, France and the UK that explore how rivalry between teams can spill over into teacher-pupil relationships, high school crushes and brotherly compassion. The short films are: Islands [Inseln] (2018); Play It Like a Man [Un été viril] (2018); Colours (2015); Through the Fields [Passer les champs] (2015).

This third volume of award-winning gay-themed shorts serves up a spectrum of complex emotions -- from coming-of-age angst to secretive shame. Selections include writer-director Anthony Meindl's "Ready? OK!" in which an 11-year-old boy discovers a passion for cheerleading, and Todd Bartoo's "Coffee," in which two friends investigate a rumor that their best friend's ex is gay. Other works include Nick Oceano's "El Primo" and Adam Lipsius's "4º."

Boys On Film comes of age with uplifting and powerful tales recounting the lives of everyday heroes striving for their own identities and fighting for the right for us all to be ourselves. Volume 18: Heroes includes ten complete films: Dean Loxton's "Dániel" starring Csémy Balázs, Hilda Péter, and Henry Garrett… Niels Bourgonje's "Buddy" starring Daniel Cornelissen and Tobias Nierop… Tamara Shogaolu's animated "Half A Life"… Victor Lindgren's "Undress Me" starring Jana Bringlöv Ekspong and Björn Elgerd… Sam Ashby's "The Colour Of His Hair" starring Sean Hart and Josh O'Connor… Hope Dickson Leach's "Silly Girl" starring Ciara Baxendale, Mollie Lambert, and Jason Barker… Søren Green's "An Evening" starring Jacob Ottensten and Ulrik Windfeldt-Schmidt… Alejandro Medina's documentary "AIDS: Doctors And Nurses Tell Their Stories"… Kai Stänicke's "It's Consuming Me" with Volkmar Leif Gilbert… and Mikael Bundsen's "Mother Knows Best" starring Alexander Gustavsson and Hanna Ullerstam.

Through the unlikely mediums of dance, graffiti, and elementary school dress-up, these French boys young and old show that whether it's about coming out or getting the guy - you had better do it in style. The short films are: Fairyocious [Féeroce] (2019); The Graffiti [Le graffiti] (2019); Eva (2016); A New Breath [Second souffle] (2021); Masculine (2018); The Tightrope Walkers [Les équilibristes] (2017).

From the heart of the Amazon comes this exclusive LGBTQ+ compilation from emerging Latin American directors from Brazil and Peru. These 5 thought-provoking shorts prove that universal social themes have no borders. They are: The Last Romantics [Os Últimos Românticos] (2019); Savage Fire [Fogo Selvagem] (2017); My Only Earth Is in the Moon [Minha Única Terra É Na Lua] (2017); Sandra Calling [Sandra Chamando] (2017); Carlito Leaves Forever [Carlito se va para siempre] (2018).

Seven short stories about growing up gay in America and searching for true love. In order: A Christmas Story; Going Gay; History; Sunday; He Was Perfect; Staying Together; A Little Drama.

With their flair for engaging storytelling and a renowned love and respect for literature and the arts, the French Boys have something for everyone. Featuring five captivating stories set among rolling hills, village squares and the rooftops of Paris - the birthplace of cinema has never looked this inviting. The short films are: Beauty Boys (2020); Freed [Baltringue] (2019); So Long, Paris! (2020); Sunset Cemetery [Extérieur crépuscule] (2020); Vincent Before Noon [Vincent avant midi] (2019).

Get ready for the fifth volume of an incredible gay short film series! Male Shorts: International V5 features four brand-new short films focusing on gay, bi and generally curious men from around the globe. Iceberg takes place in Rio de Janeiro during the pandemic and follows two men who are haunted by the same mysterious spirit which seems to inhabit their plumbing. In Xavier, a young man uses his cell phone to come out to the world, his father and his best friend and crush all at once. The visually inventive Dreams concerns a documentary filmmaker who with his camera so that he can capture the dreams he has at night. Finally, It's Just Another Day follows Gabriele, who is torn between taking care of his sick father or running away to Rome with the man he loves. The 4 short films are: Dreams [Sonhos] (2022); It's Just Another Day [È solo un altro giorno] (2022); Xavier and Miguel [Xavier e Miguel] (2022); Iceberg (2022).

From a country famous all over the world as the birthplace of cinema, Impressionism and the humble pain au chocolat, comes four award-winning films about gay life and growing up. Much like their sought after paintings and pastry treats, these delights prove that when it comes to finesse and flavour in filmmaking - you can't beat the French. The short films are: Falling [Tomber] (2018); The Return [Le retour] (2014); Footing (2012); The Swimming Trunks [Le maillot de bain] (2013).

Embark on a journey through celluloid from 1985 to present day in these freshly digitized cinematic pearls from around the world that explore an array of gay encounters from years gone by. The 7 short films are: Just Out of Reach (1998); Toto Forever (2010); Men Don't Cry [Οι άντρες δεν κλαίνε] (2001); Alger la blanche (1986); Unconfessions [Inconfissões] (2018); Same Difference (2002); Boychick (2001).

A collection of the weird and wonderful works of indie film maker Nick Zedd.

When adulthood looms, naivety fades, and a whole new, strange world opens up. These four beguiling European stories, from acclaimed film festivals the world over, explore these years of youthful wonder with a deftness and artistry that lingers. The short films are: Ruins [Ruines] (2019); Aline (2019); Snake [Змија] (2020); The Touching [Dotýkání] (2020).

Four countries, four men - and four encounters that will call into question everything about themselves they thought they were sure of. Just when you thought things couldn't get any more complicated, along comes a boy to add a fresh perspective. The 4 short films are: Billy Boy (2021); Summer [Verano] (2022); Fabiu (2023); Czechoslovakia [Checoslovaquia] (2022).

A unique anthology of six short vignettes on the subject of love, all of them written, directed and produced by women.

As seen today 'Money' is an integral part of everyone's life, the idea behind making this film was to portray the complexities between the multiple characters (Chetan, his mother & father) in a very realistic way regards to their point of view on money. The film shows us three different perspectives of how money makes one feel.

In a world where men hide their true love and feelings, where a mother turns a blind eye to her son's identity, and where religion dictates that a man may only lie with a woman — is everything we see truly what it seems to be? The latest release from New Queer Visions takes a look at representations of boys and men, how desires are hidden from those around them, and how self-belief conquers doubt. The short films are: Adult (2017); Hello, Stranger [Dag vreemde man] (2016); Little Potato (2017); Juan Gabriel is Dead [Se murió Juan Gabriel] (2018); The Guest [Le convive] (2017); Contestant #4 (2016).