Screenings take place at Sudbury Indie Cinema- 162 Mackenzie St. Laneway/side entrance.
Free parking and bike racks!
Queer North Film Festival has become one of the largest LGBTQ- themed film festivals in Ontario, and is currently the only queer film festival in Northern Ontario. Queer North celebrates the diversity of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender & two-spirited communities through quality cinema. In this our 8th edition, Queer North spans 4 days in June drawing attendees for an in-person in-theatre festival experience with film premieres, artists talks and socials that focus squarely on queer-themed films & videos from Canada & around the world. To enhance Queer North Film Festival’s impact, audience & jury awards are an important component.
Download 2025 Screening Schedule HERE
by J Stevens
2024 | Canada | Documentary | 90 min.
Z, a transmasculine theatre performer, bombs a pivotal musical theatre audition, unable to control his voice after starting testosterone 12 months earlier. To save his own life and livelihood, Z must rediscover himself and his voice.
by Michael Clowater
2024 | Canada | Drama | 100 min.
In the winter of 1970, a cantankerous, small town plumber from rural New Brunswick, must drive his beat-up work truck 1000 miles to Toronto to get his estranged, gay brother out of jail after being arrested for having sex in a public park. The two men are then forced to drive back home together at the behest of their hard-nosed mother before they kill each other. Inspired by a true story.
by Emma Hough Hobbs, Leela Varghese
2025 | Australia | 87 min.
An introverted space princess is forced to leave her home planet on an inter-gay-lactic mission to save her ex-girlfriend from the Straight White Maliens. A laugh-out-loud adventure through the far reaches of queer outer space, Lesbian Space Princess showcases the incredible talents of South Australian writers/directors, Leela Varghese and Emma Hough Hobbs. Daughter to the flamboyant lesbian Queens of Planet Clitopolis, introverted Princess Saira is devastated when her bounty-hunter girlfriend, Kiki, suddenly breaks up with her for being too needy. After Kiki is kidnapped by forgotten incels of the future, the Straight White Maliens, Saira must leave the comforts of gay space to deliver their ransom: her royal labrys (the most powerful weapon known to lesbian kind). Only problem is… she doesn’t have it!
by Auberi Edler
2024 | France | 120 min.
Content Warning: Inflammatory and hurtful language. Anti LGBTQ+ sentiments.
In small-town Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, a chilling political transformation unfolds as Christian nationalist candidates campaign for control of the local school board in this riveting observational documentary. Following the resignation of four moderate Republicans, a vacuum emerges that far-right activists fill eagerly, targeting LGBTQ+ literature and championing white-supremacist ideologies beneath a veneer of upholding religious values.
The film bears witness to increasingly tense school-board meetings, neighbourhood canvassing and church gatherings, where competing worldviews never intersect. A paper-thin layer of civility barely conceals the undercurrents of distrust and fear gripping this community. Most striking is the absence of student voices as adults fiercely debate their educational future, yellow school buses and quiet hallways serving as poignant visual reminders of who stand to lose the most. This haunting portrait of democracy’s fragility in the United States in 2023 reveals how public education has become a front line in an escalating culture war that threatens to redefine a generation.
by Robin Riad, Seza Tiyara Selen & Jannis Osterburg, Dima Hamdan, Tara Hakim & Hannah Hull, Raghed Charabaty, Dana Dawud, Teyama Al Kamli, Omar Gabriel
2025 | Canada, Germany, Palestine, Lebanon | 90 min.
Queer Cinema for Palestine is a curated 90-minute programme, which since 2021 has showcased short films from queer, Palestinian, and allied artists from around the world during pride month. This years slogan is “No Pride in Genocide.
Organized in collaboration with Fierte Sudbury Pride and Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury
This is a free event (passholder seats are still guaranteed)
by David Secter
4K Restoration & Author Talk w/ Chris Dupuis
1965 | Canada | 81 min.
Widely considered to be English Canada’s first queer film, Winter Kept Us Warm explores a romance between two young men at the University of Toronto in the early 1960s, a moment when homosexuality was still a crime in Canada. A true student film, Winter was written and directed by David Secter, a twenty-two-year-old English major, shot with amateur actors and a volunteer crew, and completed on a budget of only $8,000. Against the odds, the film was a huge success.
We will be joined by writer and curator Chris Dupuis as the festival makes a pit stop in the past. Dupuis authored a book on Winter Kept Us Warm’s legacy, the struggles faced during production, and why it disappeared from queer film canon.
As part of this part-talk/part-cinematic experience we’ll be screening two short documentaries ahead of the feature: When We Were by JP Larocque and Love and Activism by Fabian Orejarena, both about the gay scene, from different perspectives in Toronto in the 1960’s.
by Andrew Ahn
2025 | USA | Documentary | 103 min.
From Director Andrew Ahn comes a joyful comedy of errors about a chosen family navigating cultural identity, queerness, and family expectations. Frustrated with his commitment-phobic boyfriend Chris and running out of time, Min makes a proposal: a green-card marriage with their friend Angela in exchange for her partner Lee’s expensive IVF. Elopement plans are upended, however, when Min’s grandmother surprises them with an extravagant Korean wedding banquet. Starring Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-chan, Joan Chen, and Youn Yuh-jung, The Wedding Banquet is a poignant and heartfelt reminder that being part of a family means learning to both accept and forgive.
by Alexis Langlois
2024 | France | 115 min..
An outrageous lesbian pop musical satire inspired by the pop frenzy of the early 2000s, Queens of Drama charts the rise and fall of new star Mimi Madamour and her passionate, rage-fueled love affair with punk icon Billie Kohler. Over the course of half a century we follow these drama queens as they top the charts and set sail on the course of mad queer love. Featuring an iconic cast, including Asia Argento and Alma Jodorowsky, and containing hit songs like ‘Don’t Touch’ by Yelle and ‘Fisted to the Heart’, this film vividly dissects the turbulence of toxic relationships—whether between fans and their idols or within passionate queer love affairs. Director Alexis Langlois brings their trademark glittercore pop-punk aesthetic to create a vibrant, unforgettable spectacle of music and passion.
by Noam Gonick
2025 | Canada | 96 min.
Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance captures pivotal moments that sparked Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ movement, honouring the activists and elders whose resistance led to the rights we have today.
Through rarely seen archival footage and first-person accounts, audiences are brought to the frontlines of the struggle. From police raids to early drag shows, community organizing to the House of Commons—the complex history of the country’s diverse communities is brought to life. Key milestones illustrate the power of taking it into the streets and underscore how easily the rights we’ve fought for can be revoked, making the documentary essential viewing for all Canadians.
Unflinching, bold, enraging, hopeful; Parade is a vital new chapter in the queer canon.
by Catherine Legault
2024 | Canada | 103 min.
A look at the intimate world of young non-binary trans photographer Laurence Philomène as they put together their first book, Puberty, a series of self-portraits documenting their transition during hormone therapy. Mirroring Philomène’s autobiographical approach, LARRY (they/them) highlights the cinematic power of the artist’s vibrant, colour-saturated images and above all, their willingness to share their story with authenticity and vulnerability. Gender non-conforming identities, body diversity and the challenges of self-affirmation are also explored through an exclusive foray into Philomène’s family and community.
by Conor McNally
2025 | Canada | 80 min.
Nanekawâsis follows the acclaimed nêhiyaw artist, George Littlechild, as he invites audiences into his storied 40 plus year long career. Using archival footage and newly filmed 16mm interviews, the film provides never before heard insights about his life and work. As a Two-Spirited person, and 60s scoop survivor, Littlechild’s artwork draws from a unique perspective of pain, joy and exemplary merit. This film will both challenge and educate viewers interested in Indigenous art and colonialism in Canada.
by Kip Andersen, Chris OConnell
2023 | USA | 90 min.
Dennis Peron is San Francisco’s biggest pot dealer. But when the AIDS epidemic sweeps through his community, Peron realizes that marijuana is more than a good time—it’s medicine. In the wake of his lover’s death, Peron opens the Cannabis Buyers’ Club, a five-story dispensary complete with rainbow murals, drag shows, and doctors onsite. Law enforcement launch a multimillion dollar investigation into the club, but Peron has even larger aspirations, writing a landmark political initiative and leading the fight for change. Following the life of Dennis Peron, Join the Club uncovers the queer history of marijuana legalization in America.
by Chance Calloway
2023 | USA | 8 min.
During the casting process for a reality series, an openly gay Asian actor reconciles his sexuality with his career struggles. Rotoscoped with example-based synthesis technology.
BOILING THE FROG PROGRAMME
by Majid Mirhashemi
2025 | Iran | 25 min.
Qasem, a young man on the verge of gender transition, is invited by his brothers to a celebration where he receives a new name and becomes Parvaneh. But the arrival of Khandadash (Eldest brother) disrupts the calm, revealing the true intentions of the brothers. Amidst the chaos, Qasem is caught in a purgatory between her inner truth and outer appearance, while Khan Dadash is trapped in his own purgatory, unable to accept this new reality. In the end, only two remain, connected by a silence in the damned purgatory.
BOILING THE FROG PROGRAMME
by Kaye Adelaide
2023 | USA | 8 min.
During the casting process for a reality series, an openly gay Asian actor reconciles his sexuality with his career struggles. Rotoscoped with example-based synthesis technology.
BOILING THE FROG PROGRAMME
by Alex Hetherington
2024 | United Kingdom | 46 min.
The Disco is a nonfiction experimental documentary portrait of Queer d/Deaf DJ Simon Eilbeck formed from a collection of 16mm film and location sound recordings encountering members of the queer, trans, alternative and non-binary communities who gather at his monthly disco Hot Mess at The Poetry Club, in Glasgow, Scotland.
BOILING THE FROG PROGRAMME
by Lucas Crawford
2024 | Canada | 4 min.
FIND YOUR PEOPLE PROGRAMME
by Jason Sakaki
2024 | Canada | 13 min.
Kevin finally takes a chance to connect with James, the lifeguard he’s admired from afar, leading to an extremely expected first kiss and a summer of love and laughter.
FIND YOUR PEOPLE PROGRAMME
by Cassia Price
2024 | United Kingdom | 19 min.
Dive inside the drag king scene in the U.K.. Kingdom builds to the opening of a drag king collective’s 10th year anniversary festival.
FIND YOUR PEOPLE PROGRAMME
by Lam Man
2022 | Hong Kong | 6 min.
A young boy finds himself drawn to living as a girl through the influence of his transgender friend. Together, they playfully explore the world of wigs and cosmetics. Their carefree moments come to an abrupt halt when his father – a traditional barber shop owner – stumbles upon their secret…
— Inspired by a true story shared by Bella, a transgender individual from Thailand.
FIND YOUR PEOPLE PROGRAMME
by Gail Willumsen
2024 | USA | 28 min.
At mid-career, queer artist Eve Wood still chases success. “The art world is a horrible business, so why do I keep doing this?” With a solo exhibition looming, she waits in anxious anticipation: “Will anyone come? Will they like my work?” Will Eve ever get the recognition she craves?
SIDE EFFECTS PROGRAMME
by Kathryn Roake
2024 | USA | 6 min.
What begins as a typical, summer beach day: an afternoon of surf, sun and dinner, escalates into a theft and a riot. Why?
SIDE EFFECTS PROGRAMME
by Fon Davis
2024 | USA | 10 min.
A recovering alcoholic uses her coming out story in her stand-up act and her therapy sessions to explain her addiction and her relationship with her mother.
SIDE EFFECTS PROGRAMME
by Mason Leaver
2025 | English | 13 min.
After coming out to his wife, Wade Brown is confronted by his son Leon and challenged to an unusual test of manhood.
SIDE EFFECTS PROGRAMME
by Peter Howie
2025 | Canada | 22 min.
Reid spends his final day of parole doing all the things that got him there in the first place.
