Great Gay Short Films

DONATE to watch thousands of gay-themed movies for free. https://ko-fi.com/genetsbastard/shop **Fireworks (2022)** is a 15-minute Australian queer short film directed by Sam McGowan. It follows a lonely teenager who downloads Grindr on New Year's Eve to fulfill his resolution of losing his virginity before the year ends.[2][9] ## Plot Summary The story centers on the protagonist's anxious, humorous attempts to connect via the app amid New Year's celebrations. Themes explore isolation, first experiences, and queer youth navigating hook-up culture in a festive yet pressured setting.[2] ## Festival Screenings Screened at the Geelong Pride Film Festival (GPFF) alongside McGowan's earlier short *Heaven* (2020). Also featured in other queer film events, with a trailer available on YouTube.[2][10] ## Director Background Sam McGowan is an emerging Australian filmmaker focused on queer narratives. *Fireworks* aligns with his interest in personal, coming-of-age stories within LGBTQ+ contexts.[2] Citations: [1] Sydney New Year's Eve - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_New_Year's_Eve [2] Manscaping - Online - Geelong Pride Film Festival https://gpff.ferve.tickets/Events/Manscaping-Online [3] Spectacular Fireworks Displays in Australia in 2022 https://skylighter.com.au/australia-fireworks-displays-2022/ [4] Your guide to enjoying 2022 New Year's Eve celebrations ... https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-30/new-years-eve-fireworks-australia/101796104 [5] Everything you need to know if you are headed to New Year's Eve fireworks https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-30/brisbane-fireworks-guide-nye-gold-coast-sunshine-coast-/106184840 [6] Where to watch New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Australia https://sightseeingtoursaustralia.com.au/tips-articles/where-to-watch-new-years-fireworks-in-australia/ [7] When and where to catch New Year's Eve fireworks across Australia https://7news.com.au/news/when-and-where-to-catch-new-years-eve-fireworks-across-australia-c-21156085 [8] FireWorks https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56353506-fireworks [9] Fireworks | Geelong Pride Film Festival https://gpff.ferve.tickets/Events/Fireworks [10] Fireworks - Queer Short Film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoyG0X689H8

How To Die Young in Manila **How to Die Young in Manila** is a 2020 Filipino queer short film directed by Petersen Vargas, running about 12 minutes.[1][2][2] It follows an introverted teenage boy who sneaks out to meet an anonymous hookup from a dating app, trailing a group of street hustlers in nighttime Manila, where they mysteriously turn up dead one by one.[1][3][1] ## Themes and Style The film blends queer desire, urban danger, and surreal allegory, influenced by Wong Kar-wai and Hou Hsiao-hsien, with a dreamy, green-tinted Manila evoking romanticized yet perilous memories.[4] It subtly critiques extrajudicial killings and societal indifference toward marginalized youth, mixing emotional cruising tension with otherworldly horror.[3][4][5] ## Production and Reception Petersen Vargas wrote and directed, with producers Alemberg Ang and Jade Francis Castro; stars include Elijah Canlas as the young boy and hustlers like Kokoy de Santos.[3][6] Premiering at Busan International Film Festival's Wide Angle section (LGBT category), it screened at Iris Prize and serves as a teaser for Vargas's feature *Some Nights I Feel Like Walking*.[2][3][6] Reviews praise its daring take on hookup culture risks for queer youth, earning a 6.1/10 on IMDb.[7][6] Citations: [1] How to Die Young in Manila (2020) https://letterboxd.com/film/how-to-die-young-in-manila/ [2] History - Busan International Film Festival https://www.biff.kr/eng/html/archive/arc_history_view.asp?pyear=2020&s1=341&m_idx=47611 [3] How to Die Young in Manila - Iris Prize https://irisprize.org/film/how-to-die-young-in-manila/ [4] Filmmaker Petersen Vargas speaks about his film ... https://cinesensual2020.wordpress.com/2021/09/07/filmmaker-petersen-vargas-speaks-about-his-film-seashorts-2021-finalist-how-to-die-young-in-manila/ [5] How To Die Young in Manila Trailer | SGIFF 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1crk8a3imKQ [6] How to Die Young in Manila (Short 2020) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13230864/ [7] How to Die Young in Manila Reviews https://mydramalist.com/73757-how-to-die-young-in-manila/reviews [8] How to Die Young in Manila (2020), reseñas de la crítica ... https://mubi.com/es/films/how-to-die-young-in-manila/critics-reviews [9] Reviews of How to Die Young in Manila https://letterboxd.com/film/how-to-die-young-in-manila/reviews/rated/none/ [10] Purin - How To Die Young in Manila (2020) Directed ... https://www.facebook.com/purinfilmfund/photos/how-to-die-young-in-manila-2020directed-by-petersen-vargas-length-1147-mincountr/811764701118309/

DONATE to watch thousands of gay-themed movies for free. https://ko-fi.com/genetsbastard/shop The Hours and Times (Christopher Much) UK **The Hours and Times** is a 1991 drama film written and directed by Christopher Münch. It offers a fictionalized depiction of a 1963 Barcelona holiday shared by John Lennon of The Beatles and his manager Brian Epstein [2][3]. The story explores the nuanced, ambiguous dynamics of their relationship amid the era's legal and social constraints on homosexuality in the UK [1]. ## Plot Overview David Angus portrays the suave, closeted Epstein, while Ian Hart plays the provocative Lennon in his breakout role. Their weekend involves conversations about personal desires, professional ambitions, and tense moments of unfulfilled attraction, including a visit to a gay bar and reflections on Epstein's past traumas [2][4]. The black-and-white film emphasizes emotional intimacy over sensationalism, culminating in a poignant promise for a future reunion [1]. ## Production and Release Münch crafted the script as a low-budget "DIY" project in 1988, shooting primarily in Barcelona's Avenida Palace Hotel over four days, with additional London scenes. It premiered at festivals like Toronto, Berlin, Sundance, and New Directors/New York, releasing in the US in 1992 (Canada 1991) [2][7]. Shot in high-contrast black-and-white, it captures a sense of historical isolation [7]. ## Critical Reception Critics praise its restraint in handling queer desire and celebrity speculation, centering Epstein's perspective to highlight mid-20th-century gay experiences [1][5]. As a queer cinema milestone, it screened at events like Frameline and resonates with themes of unspoken longing relevant to LGBTQ+ film history [3]. Citations: [1] The Hours and Times (1991): Almost a Love Affair https://www.brightwalldarkroom.com/2022/05/04/almost-a-love-affair/ [2] The Hours and Times https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hours_and_Times [3] The Hours and Times https://www.frameline.org/films/frameline16/the-hours-and-times [4] The Hours and Times (1991) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104448/ [5] The Hours and Times https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_hours_and_times [6] The Hours and Times (1991) https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt0104448/ [7] The Hours And Times http://www.cultprojections.com/essentialviewing/the-hours-and-times [8] Hours and Times, The: Christopher Munch's Audacious Film ... https://emanuellevy.com/review/hours-and-times-the-7/ [9] El buscavidas (1991) https://mubi.com/es/us/films/the-hours-and-times

If I'm Good (Jonathon Pawlowski, 2021) USA "If I'm Good" is a 2021 American short drama directed by Jonathon Pawlowski. The film centers on a widower grappling with his husband's death while exploring attraction to a younger man. [1][2] ## Key Details Runtime stands at 12 minutes, with a modest $3,000 budget from Peach Jam Pictures. It premiered around September 30, 2021, in the US and holds an IMDb rating of 7.4/10 from 84 users. [2][5] ## Cast and Crew Jono Mitchell stars as Sam, the grieving widower, alongside Daniel Annone as Jorge. Madison Hatfield wrote the screenplay; notable trivia includes Mitchell and Brock Kimbrel (Clint) being married and producing together. [2] ## Reception and Access Reviews praise its emotional depth and cinematography, though some note acting inconsistencies and a conventional arc. Stream it on Dekkoo; it's featured in queer film contexts like Out on Film festival. [2][8] Citations: [1] If I'm Good (2021) directed by Jonathon Pawlowski https://letterboxd.com/film/if-im-good/ [2] If I'm Good (Short 2021) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13460876/ [3] If I'm Good https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/if-im-good/umc.cmc.5r909q6h3etmjgh3a33zgwaub?l=es [4] If I'm Good https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/if_im_good [5] IF I'M GOOD | LOCAL SHORTS | Out on Film https://watch.eventive.org/2021ooff/play/611edbc64299ac00303dc2f6/6116b4700d2948003d2844fd [6] Jonathon Pawlowski https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4105345/ [7] If I'm Good Online｜Ztor https://www.ztor.com/en-us/play/If_Im_Good/242902 [8] If I'm Good streaming: where to watch movie online? https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/if-im-good

home (Donja R. Love, 2025) USA The film "Home" (2025) by Donja R. Love is a short drama from the United States that centers on a homeless queer teen named T in New York City. After missing curfew at a shelter on a cold night, T desperately searches for a way to get off the streets. As the night progresses and options dwindle, T faces a tough choice for survival. The film is directed and written by Donja R. Love and stars Justen Ross as T. It runs about 14 minutes and highlights pressing issues around homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth, particularly those living with HIV, touching on themes of survival and identity. The estimated budget was around $10,000, and it was filmed in New York City. Donja R. Love is a recognized playwright, poet, and filmmaker known for addressing Black and queer community stories, having also created notable works like the play "one in two," which deals with HIV-positive Black gay men. "Home" fits within this thematic focus on queer and Black experiences, amplifying voices often underrepresented in media [1][2][4][5]. If you want to explore the film, it was featured in festivals such as the 2025 Out on Film Festival and others supporting LGBTQ+ cinema [2][8]. This short film offers a vivid, empathetic look into the struggles faced by homeless queer youth in urban settings, making it a relevant artistic and social commentary piece in 2025. Citations: [1] Home (Short 2025) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22456718/ [2] home | SIMPLY STUNNING | 2025 Out on Film Festival https://streaming.eventive.org/2025outonfilm/play/68add9284eb6e850ed6f2582/689bbcb1978bfb5903b656a9 [3] Home - Nova Cinema https://www.nova-cinema.org/prog/2025/204-pink-screens-2874/01-11/article/home-31864?lang=en [4] A detailed rundown of the 2025 slate of the Utah Film ... https://www.theutahreview.com/a-detailed-rundown-of-the-2025-slate-of-the-utah-film-centers-utah-queer-film-festival/ [5] Playwright Emphasizes the Creation of Safe Spaces for ... https://www.thebody.com/article/at-home-with-donja-r-love [6] Watch Our Short Film 'Home' Starring Justin, Lady Danefe ... https://www.instagram.com/p/DPT37ZZESEN/ [7] Donja R. Love on home “In the US, LGBTQ youth — queer ... https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH37Qz6CHPF/ [8] home | Seattle Black Film Festival 2025 https://sbff25.eventive.org/films/67b641153ae6bd1a5caca107 [9] Donja R. Love https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8112659/ [10] Donja R. Love's one in two Is the Urgent, Black, Queer Play ... https://playbill.com/article/donja-r-loves-one-in-two-is-the-urgent-black-queer-play-for-this-moment

ចៅសំណព្វចិត្ត AKA Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites (Chheangkea, 2025) Cambodia The film "ចៅសំណព្វចិត្ត" aka "Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites" (2025) by Cambodian filmmaker Chheangkea is a 19-minute fiction short that premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, winning the Jury Award for Best International Film. The story takes place during a chaotic family Qingming (Tomb Sweeping Day) visit, where the deceased Grandma Nai sneaks away from her peaceful afterlife after overhearing that her queer grandson is about to get engaged to a woman. This sets the stage for a multi-layered family and generational drama exploring themes of identity, family dynamics, and acceptance. The film features a mix of comic relief and intense cinematography, highlighting the complexity of its characters and their relationships. Grandma Nai "playing favorites" adds a humorous yet poignant layer to the story, with the climax emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself. Notable elements include sharp cinematography by Shyan Tan and a soundtrack that accompanies the emotional shifts from calm to intense moments. The cast includes Bonrotanak Rith, Saroeun Nay, and Sokun Theary Ty, among others. The film has been screened at numerous international festivals worldwide, including Rotterdam, Tampere, Glasgow, and Asian Pop-Up Cinema in Chicago. It has also been recognized for its fresh voice in Southeast Asian queer cinema, following the director's previous works that similarly explore queer Cambodian stories with humor and sincerity [1][2][3]. Citations: [1] Sundance 2025: Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites (dir. ... https://film-fest-report.com/sundance-2025-grandma-nai-who-played-favorites-dir-chheangkea-review/ [2] GRANDMA NAI WHO PLAYED FAVORITES https://www.antiarchive.com/grandmanai.html [3] Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites (Short 2025) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35002936/ [4] Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites https://iffr.com/en/iffr/2025/films/grandma-nai-who-played-favorites [5] Chheangkea https://filmmakermagazine.com/people/chheangkea/ [6] Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites - Official Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIybfMBkfvc [7] Grad Film alumni featured in Filmmaker Magazine 25 New ... https://tisch.nyu.edu/grad-film/news/2025/grad-film-alumni-featured-in-filmmaker-magazine-25-new-faces-of-.html [8] Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites https://www.shortshorts.org/2025/en/program/comp8/grandma-nai-who-played-favorites/ [9] Chheangkea gana el cuarto MunichFilmUp! con Little Phnom Penh https://cineuropa.org/es/newsdetail/477934/ [10] Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites — Chao Somnop Chet https://dokufest.com/en/festival/2025/film/grandma-nai-who-played-favorites

Brief Somebodies (Andy Reid, 2025) Canada "Brief Somebodies" (2025) is a Canadian short drama film written and directed by Andy Reid, who also plays a supporting character named Benny. The film stars Aldrin Bundoc as Joel, a filmmaker-actor creating a semi-autobiographical feature, and Matt O’Connor as Calvin, an actor cast to play a sexual assault scene opposite Joel. The story explores the complex and intimate process of rehearsing a sexual assault scene, focusing on how the two actors form a genuine connection during the process, which they then must navigate and reconfigure once filming begins. The film delves into the blurred lines between reality and fiction in art, examining the spaces artists create and live within briefly. "Brief Somebodies" premiered at the 2025 South By Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival in the Narrative Short Competition and won the Redbreast Unhidden Award at that festival. It is a 14-minute English-language short produced in Canada with support from the Canada Council for the Arts. The film involves an intimacy coordinator, highlighting its thoughtful treatment of sensitive subject matter, and was praised for its meta exploration of the actor’s experience rehearsing traumatic content and the real-life connections that emerge during art-making [1][3][5][6][7]. Citations: [1] SXSW 2025 Interview: Andy Reid Talks Brief Somebodies ( ... https://filmfactual.com/2025/04/07/sxsw-2025-interview-andy-reid-talks-brief-somebodies-exclusive/ [2] A wee teaser for my short film, Brief Somebodies, having its ... https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGvrQy-AaEz/ [3] Brief Somebodies - Canadian audiovisual production https://rdvcanada.ca/en/product/brief-somebodies/ [4] BRIEF SOMEBODIES by @ndyreid ... https://www.instagram.com/p/DFQibRhOCgC/?hl=en [5] Brief Somebodies https://ndyreid.com/films/brief-somebodies [6] Brief Somebodies https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brief_Somebodies [7] Brief Somebodies (Short 2025) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35510946/ [8] Andy Reid - Brief Somebodies (2025) https://letterboxd.com/film/brief-somebodies/crew/ [9] Brief Somebodies (2025) https://mubi.com/en/us/films/brief-somebodies [10] Absolutely pumped to share that Brief Somebodies will be ... https://www.instagram.com/p/DFJBcRCyswR/

The Upper Room (2025), directed by Joel Perez, is a USA film that tells the story of two Pentecostal youth pastors who experience a crisis of faith during a secret afternoon meeting of forbidden love. The film explores themes of faith, love, and personal turmoil within the context of Pentecostal religious life and queer identity. It stars actors including Robin de Jesus and Daniel K. Isaac. This film was featured in the lineup of Newfest 2025, the New York LGBTQ Film Festival, which highlights queer stories told with originality and strong aesthetic and narrative qualities. Joel Perez, known for his storytelling rooted in cultural and emotional depth, also explores themes of grief and belonging in his other works such as "Villa Encanto" (2025). His directing approach for The Upper Room involved capturing the complex emotional dynamics of the characters facing their internal conflicts without melodrama, emphasizing the nuanced crisis of faith and forbidden love they navigate. The Upper Room contributes importantly to queer cinema by focusing on the intersection of sexual identity and religious faith, providing a powerful narrative for gay cinephiles interested in stories of LGBTQ+ individuals within faith communities.[1][3][4][7][9] This film can be significant in gay movie history and filmmaking as it advances queer representation with a sensitive portrayal of religious youth pastors confronting their identities and emotional challenges in a conservative religious setting. [1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38479963/) [2](https://scriptmag.com/interview-with-villa-encanto-writer-and-director-joel-perez) [3](https://deadline.com/2025/09/newfest-2025-new-york-lgbtq-film-festival-full-lineup-1236527468/) [4](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DO9FcBPER5I/) [5](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avk1c06PQ2s) [6](http://y073.com/service/redaktionelle-richtlinien--dafuer-stehen-wir-bei-gala-digital-22145592.html) [7](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-fRuqwNnNz/) [8](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37179052/) [9](https://www.flickermagazine.art/post/newfest37-lineup) [10](https://su-city-pictures.com/category/2025-tribeca-festival/) [11](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPrZ-xRgb35/)

The gay short film "The Immaculate Honey" (La miel inmaculada) is directed by Mauricio Calderón Rico and is from Mexico. It was released in 2025 and has a runtime of about 18 minutes. The film's story centers on Chucho, a young man who was stabbed on his way out of work. He is taken care of by his mother Alma for a few days, during which they grow closer, though much remains unspoken between them. The film delves into their complex relationship and emotional nuances. While it is a short film with themes that resonate in the LGBTQ+ context, the specific gay elements relate to intimate family dynamics and possibly underlying themes of identity and care within a queer cinematic framework. The film has been shown in international film festivals, including the International Short Film Festival Berlin in 2025, recognizing its relevance and artistic merit within queer cinema. This film can be seen as an important piece in gay short film history for exploring intimate familial bonds and queer identity in a nuanced and symbolic way through its narrative and characters.[1][2][3][4] [1](https://www.interfilm.de/en/interfilm-festival-2025/films/?tx_interfilmfestival_filmlist%5BeventItem%5D=3575&cHash=5119999d2048541aaa49b5a7cf44daec) [2](https://vp.eventival.com/guanajuato/giff-2025/film/1124198) [3](https://moreliafilmfest.com/en/peliculas/immaculate-honey) [4](https://globalqueercinema.com) [5](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x885dj2) [6](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myjW0WAcBsA) [7](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmSGss966h8) [8](https://www.reddit.com/r/tipofmytongue/comments/1lvgwd5/tomtshort_filmyoutube_gay_short_film_with/) [9](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5580240/) [10](https://deadline.com/2024/03/immaculate-review-michael-mohan-film-sydney-sweeney-overshadowed-overplayed-tropes-sxsw-1235857426/) [11](https://i-d.co/article/50-best-queer-films-that-defined-the-2010s/) [12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK2PfqnO4fs) [13](https://mubi.com/en/us/films/immaculate-honey) [14](https://reelnewsdaily.com/tag/lgbtqa/) [15](http://www.eobi.gov.pk) [16](https://vp.eventival.com/guanajuato/giff-2025/film-catalogue?view=cover&page=9&per-page=12) [17](https://www.indiewire.com/features/interviews/immaculate-director-catholic-trauma-inspired-horror-film-1234965689/) [18](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natasha_Lyonne) [19](https://letterboxd.com/film/el-ocaso-de-juan/details/) [20](https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/immaculate-review-sydney-sweeney-1235940458/) [21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD2wiwiHME0) [22](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23137390/) [23](https://www.tiktok.com/discover/the-vibes-are-immaculate-gay) [24](https://www.facebook.com/groups/725012758300067/posts/1968289243972406/) [25](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3195108/plotsummary/) [26](https://letterboxd.com/film/sipping/) [27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6PjF6OE4e4) [28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86jKvhVRcdI) [29](https://gayfilmsmatter.com/1795/sipping/) [30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHzyuPrKfOs) [31](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angie_Dickinson) [32](https://mubi.com/es/us/films/immaculate-honey) [33](https://www.tiktok.com/@thehomosapienexperience/video/7408908432352365867) [34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68ydtWGcyAU) [35](https://letterboxd.com/film/pharmacies/releases/)

The Indian gay short film "Under the Waters" (2022), directed by Ambiecka Pandit, sensitively explores homosexuality through the experiences of young characters, particularly focusing on a pubescent boy named Sarang during a summer family vacation. The film captures the mess of emotions such as excitement, confusion, fear, and denial associated with the beginning of self-exploration of sexuality. It is set in a contemporary but timeless milieu in Mumbai, sung in the Marathi language to reflect the local setting. The story revolves around a sexual transgression inflicted upon Sarang by an older teenage male, Mihir. The film delicately portrays the complexity of their silent emotional ricocheting between anger, longing, fear, and denial. Its empathy is shown through the nuanced and realistic depiction of human gestures and interactions, emphasizing the film’s emotional authenticity. "Under the Waters" received positive attention for its performance, sensitive subject matter, and realistic portrayal of queer youthful experience, and it was released on platforms like MUBI. It also aligns with broader initiatives promoting inclusivity and diversity, such as the Walkers Project by Diageo that supports courageous storytelling. This film holds relevance for gay cinephiles and the history of gay filmmaking in India by providing a rare, intimate look at adolescent questioning and queer desire within a culturally specific context, contributing to the visibility and understanding of LGBTQ+ narratives in Indian cinema.[1][2][3][4][5][6] [1](https://www.platform-mag.com/film/under-the-waters.html) [2](https://myreadingmanga.info/short-film-under-the-waters-2022-engsub/) [3](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28277807/) [4](https://mubi.com/en/mx/films/under-the-waters) [5](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7rFyBZNmZ7/) [6](https://www.facebook.com/mubiindia/videos/under-the-waters-now-streaming/819730220111338/) [7](https://www.highonfilms.com/under-the-waters-2022-review/) [8](https://www.genesiscinema.co.uk/event/102813) [9](https://gaysifamily.com/lifestyle/8-indian-queer-films-you-must-watch/) [10](https://www.reddit.com/r/gaybros/comments/8n5tsc/30_free_gay_short_films_after_i_watched_100_films/)