To Laugh, to Sing, Perchance to Cry (2024)

Who Are You?

Nowadays, many people use dating apps just for hook-ups. If you want to have sex, you can have it almost instantly. However, the price for this is our lost identity. This has many advantages but also many disadvantages, which some people may misuse. What happens if a thief and a policeman decide to use such a dating app?

Pool Blue

Pool Blue is an attempt which tells, without dialogue nor rationality, a connection fantasized between two men. It is the fantastical projection which reveals certain eroticism. Pointless and discreet, the desire is present, two men are careful, gauge to the point to create a link of seduction. This link is intelligently staged, it is invisible with the eyes of the other swimmers, mysterious for both men and very explicit for the spectator.

My Policeman

In the late 1990s, the arrival of elderly invalid Patrick into Marion and Tom’s home triggers the exploration of seismic events from 40 years previous: the passionate relationship between Tom and Patrick at a time when homosexuality was illegal.

Thirty Years of Adonis

Yang Ke, a Beijing Opera actor, is fatefully driven into the underworld of masculine sex workers, and becomes a class of his own. He finds himself on a roller coaster between heavenly love with both men and women, and a living hell ensnared by devious villains and hypocrites. Despite his faith, endeavor and willingness to give, he remains a prisoner to his karma. Hell awaits when heaven seems near, and the ultimate truth is revealed only in a heartbreaking moment from which there is no return.

The Last First Time

Eduardo, an 18-year-old kid from a small village in Jalisco, travels to Guadalajara. In this big and strange city, away from the eyes of his parents, he experiences his first encounters in love and sex.

Sex Love Venice

Healing from a painful breakup, Michael travels to Venice, Italy, where he discovers the beauty of desire and experiences a love that awakens his spirit, promising to forever change the course of his life.

Incomplete

A man shares a letter expressing his longing for someone he has never met. He reflects on his loneliness and questions whether he needs another person in his life to feel complete, or if what he's truly missing is a deeper connection with himself.

On My Way

The unexpected arrival of a Nigerian migrant in the Belgian countryside shakes up the fragile daily life of two men living a secret relationship.

Three Headed Beast

A long term couple on the verge of closing their open relationship find themselves in uncharted territory when one of them forms an intense connection with a younger man. Their individual fears and desires collide over a hot Texas summer.

Revolver

Revolver, a trans sex worker, tells us the reason behind her nickname while facing violence and discrimination in the world of prostitution every night

O Silêncio da Singularidade

Thiago is a young man of 18 who is simple, Christian, and passionate about astrophysics. His life takes a turn when he realizes that he is developing feelings for his best friend. As their friendship deepens, Thiago is confronted with unexpected feelings that go beyond his comprehension. Intrigued, Thiago embarks on a quest for self-knowledge and acceptance, seeking to complexities of the human heart. As he dives into this journey, some obstacles make him question his faith, the universe, and his growing passion.

Four Quartets

Over the course of a night out in a queer club, Raf struggles to find his place among the crowd until he stops trying to force the narrative and just lets himself go with the music.

Dust

The short drama film Dòst tells the tough coming of age process of best friends Alko and Björn in a small rural village community. Between agricultural weekend work and partying, dealing with other adolescent boys and girls, one kiss can make a big difference. The urge to fit in, to uphold image, and peer pressure makes the boys both having to make choices that will affect their friendship.

Brother Mary

To understand a mysterious man in a Victorian gown, who sings praises to God on the streets of contemporary Vancouver, we meet the people who claim to be closest to him.

Wandering Heart

Santiago, gay single father, has reached a tipping point in his life. Reeling from a bitter breakup, he is facing the impending departure of his daughter Laila, with whom he shares a close yet emotionally charged relationship. As the fear of being alone threatens to swallow him whole, his behavior becomes increasingly erratic. Over the course of a chaotic summer divided between Argentina and Brazil, Santiago must learn to let go of Laila so each can find their own freedoms.

The First Kiss

Andi is a teenager living in a small commuter town. No one knows that he is gay, except his older brother. Today is a special day because he is going to Madrid where he has a date with a boy his age whom he has met online.

On the Bus

Teenage years, the best and worst years of our lives. Jeremy is an ordinary teenager, living an ordinary teenage life. Because of his shyness, he fantasizes conversations with his crush, Sean. But what happens when he loses control of something completely in his mind?

The French Boys 3

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).

A Soldier's Choice

Marine private John Rossi is looking forward to a new assignment in New York City on the night he ventures into a Hell's Kitchen bar, and meets a handsome but lonely boy named Damon Conrad. Damon assumes the Marine just wants sex, but when he proposes they go out on a "real date," Damon begins to think perhaps he has finally found the man of his dreams. The next night, John reveals that earlier that day he learned his division would be heading to the Middle East. Later that night, when the boys are caught-up in a moment of passion, John must choose between his devotion to the Marines and his desire for love and companionship.

All Over Brazil

With Scotland in the World Cup in 1974, Stephen is more into Glam Rock than football.

Breaking Fast

Mo, a practicing Muslim living in West Hollywood, is learning to navigate life post heartbreak. Enter Kal, an All-American guy who surprises Mo by offering to break fast with him during the holy month of Ramadan.

Sublet

A gay New York Times travel writer comes to Tel Aviv after suffering a tragedy. The energy of the city and his relationship with a younger man brings him back to life.

Beauty Boys

In their small village, seventeen-year-old Léo and his friends are crazy about makeup. Jules, Léo's older brother, doesn't share his sibling's passion, fearing he'll be the laughing stock among his gang of pals. The night of the village's "open theater" event, against Jules' advice, Léo walks on the stage dressed in drag.

Burning Days

With the mayoral election approaching, the newly-appointed state prosecutor of a small town suffering from a water supply crisis gradually descends into trouble after a young local woman is raped.

Nuclear

A pregnancy drama challenging the prevailing definition of a "nuclear family."

Dear Luke, Love, Me

Spanning over a decade, soulmates Penny and Luke struggle to maintain their queer-platonic significant-other relationship while dealing with societal pressures to find something "normal."

A Male

Carlos lives in a boarding school in the centre of Bogotá and longs to spend Christmas with his family. The circumstances around him force him to assume the male stereotype, in open contradiction to his true being. In private, Carlos acknowledges his sensitivity, his fragility and moves towards other forms of masculinity. At his 16 years of age, Carlos explores his sexual identity, discovers his fears, his desires, and all the things that real men never show.

Cat Skin

A shy and troubled photography student's life is illuminated when her voyeuristic nature behind the camera lens leads her to a beautiful and confident girl.

Baby Shark

This treatise on teens behaving badly takes three separate approaches to its theme. In the first story, a hottie skater boy asks a bored, young heterosexual couple to sexually indulge him. In the second story, a boy/girl couple contends with a nerd who clings to the boy after class each day. In the third and final story, an attractive young guy puts the moves on his identical twin brother's girlfriend.

The Big Gay Musical

Paul and Eddie have just begun previews for the new Off-Broadway musical "Adam and Steve - Just the Way God Made 'Em." Their lives strangely mirror the characters they are playing. Paul is looking for the perfect man and Eddie is dealing with how his sexuality and faith can mix.

The Tightrope Walkers

Vincent spots Jean-Christophe on the beach, bumps into him not so accidentally, and they hit it off during a fun evening and night. But the next morning Jean-Christophe reveals something that turns Vincent's life upside down. How will they get through the day?

Sin

Liam works on a part-time basis in a drive-thru motel to support his college education. One day, he meets the ill-tempered Harry. The first encounter was disastrous, even putting Liam's work in possible jeopardy. The day didn't end troublesome anyway as Liam gets to meet the other side of Harry—childlike and good-natured, but a broken soul. The following day sealed their commitment. Starting on the third day, however, fate intervened by slowly unveiling the most horrifying obstacle that will stop Liam and Harry from loving each othe

Alex and the Handyman

When Alex, a precious nine-year-old boy, develops a crush on Jared, the moody twenty-five-year-old handyman who works in the mansion where he lives, he will stop at nothing to get his attention.

Mr. Sugar Daddy

Mr. Sugar Daddy depicts the story of a man looking for a fresh start. Hans falls for young Andrej and is thrown into a game that does not allow any winner.

More Than Only

A young gay man finds how to love himself and accept love from another, despite the disapproval of his father.

Roses

Rosa unexpectedly finds herself spending an evening out alone as her daughter throws an 18th birthday party in their house. Wasting time in her small Cornish town, she spies a woman she has met once before - and is drawn to her.

Life Almost Gone

A teenage girl embarks on a journey with her loved ones as every night, the world's population cuts in half, counting down to zero.

Tiger

Working at a men-only massage shop and hopping between gay porn auditions, Tiger heads to his hometown one day after hearing his father is critically ill. His father intends to leave the house to his son and the dental clinic to his daughter. However, his sister denies Tiger’s right to inherit, threatening him with the prospect of outing him. Through time spent with a married friend he hasn’t seen in years and while looking after his young niece, Tiger realizes that he also wants to be part of a ‘family’ and begins to explore ways to build one in his own way through a ‘friendship marriage.’

Pages in the Wind

When a gay young adult recalls journal entries about a relationship with his roommate, the arrival of his best friend may solidify that his roommate will never be the man he desires and that his fantasies are meant to remain as words on a page.

Confusion of Genders

Bisexual attorney Alain is bedding his female boss, his murderer client, the client's hairdresser girlfriend, and a precocious boy who knows what he wants and tries to convince Alain that he can 'have it all'.

Savage Nights

Jean is young, gay, and promiscuous. Only after he meets one or two women, including Laura, does he come to realize his bisexuality. Jean has to overcome a personal crisis and a tough choice between Laura and his male lover Samy.

Making Love

A perfect typical LA couple find their happily-ever-after life broken when the husband confronts his long-repressed attraction for other men.

Mandragora

Marek is a 15-year-old from a provincial village who runs away to Prague when he begins to fail at school. He is mugged shortly after arriving in the city and is rescued by Honza with the promise of work. Marek is taken to an apartment, drugged, and becomes a male prostitute. He is a bit smarter than his colleagues and teams up with a friend, David, in order to go after bigger scores – to cash in and get out. They manage to stash away a bit of money, but when it comes time to return home, Marek loses his nerve and is soon back in the city.

Happy-Go-Lucky Days

Love is love. Someday, the pain of being in love will be an endearing memory. No matter who the feelings are towards, no matter what form it takes, all love and lifestyles have the same value. An omnibus anime tells the stories of “The wedding of an ex”, “a student and a teacher at an all-boys’ school” and “childhood friends whose bodies and hearts change with adolescence.”

I Love You Phillip Morris

Steven Russell leads a seemingly average life – an organ player in the local church, happily married to Debbie, and a member of the local police force. That is until he has a severe car accident that leads him to the ultimate epiphany: he’s gay and he’s going to live life to the fullest – even if he has to break the law to do it. Taking on an extravagant lifestyle, Steven turns to cons and fraud to make ends meet and is eventually sent to the State Penitentiary where he meets the love of his life, a sensitive, soft-spoken man named Phillip Morris. His devotion to freeing Phillip from jail and building the perfect life together prompts him to attempt (and often succeed at) one impossible con after another.

Ghosts

Nina, an end-of-teenage orphan with mental problems, starts a new job as a garden cleaner when she meets Toni. They fell in love with each other, but soon Toni starts betraying Nina. In the meantime, Francoise is picked up at a psychic department of a Berlin hospital by her husband, Pierre. After seeing Nina, Francoise believes that she has found her kidnapped daughter Marie, but neither Toni nor Pierre believe her. Nina is unsure about what to think...

Frida

A biography of artist Frida Kahlo, who channeled the pain of a crippling injury and her tempestuous marriage into her work.

Shortbus

In post-9/11 New York City, an eclectic group of citizens find their lives entangled, personally, romantically, and sexually, at Shortbus, an underground Brooklyn salon infamous for its blend of art, music, politics, and carnality.

Irreversible

A woman’s lover and her ex-boyfriend take justice into their own hands after she becomes the victim of a rapist. Because some acts can’t be undone. Because man is an animal. Because the desire for vengeance is a natural impulse. Because most crimes remain unpunished.

When Night Is Falling

Camille is a professor at a Protestant college and is in a long-term relationship with Martin, a respected minister and fellow professor. When Camille meets Petra, a bold and flamboyant performer in a circus troupe, she is inexplicably drawn. Pursuing Petra, Camille throws her whole conservative life into disarray.

The Page Turner

Mélanie Prouvost, a ten-year-old butcher's daughter, is a gifted pianist. That is why she and her parents decide that she sit for the Conservatory entrance exam. Although Mélanie is very likely to be admitted, she unfortunately gets distracted by the president of the jury's offhand attitude and she fails. Ten years later, Mélanie becomes her page turner, waiting patiently for her revenge.

Memories of a Teenager

After the suicide of his best friend and the fire of a local dance called Cromañón, including recitals, illegal parties in an abandoned warehouse and high school, a year passes by in the life of Zabo who writes everything he feels and lives in his blog, "Memories of a teenager".

Fairyocious

Alma, petrified, does not know how to react when her son, age 8, wants to dress as a fairy and go to school. She asks advice from her neighbor, and eventually the entire building debates his right to behave cross-gender.

Love & Revolution

Seville, 1977. At a time when homosexuality is a crime, Reme, a traditional mother moved by the love of her son, an adolescent aspiring artist, will become involved in the Andalusian LGBTQ+ movement, paradoxically born in the bosom of the Church.

Bitter Years

A drama film based on the life of Mario Mieli, a leading figure in the Italian gay movement of the 1970s.

Fighting to Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story

Based on a powerful true-life story, Detroit native Dwen Curry moves to Oakland, California as a teen in the early 90s and overcomes depression, suicidal thoughts and drug addiction. He finds success as a salon owner and celebrity stylist to LisaRaye McCoy, Mariah Carey, YoYo, Missy Elliot, DMX, and more. Fueled by his desire for a lavish lifestyle and a drive to take care of those around him, Dwen leads a secret life as the criminal mastermind of an underground organization known as the Gay Gangsters, making millions from fraud. Dwen's life is even more complicated by his sexuality, identity, and struggles with self-acceptance as Dwen journeys from being a gay man to fully accepting herself as transgender. Dwen's rise to celebrity is followed by her fall when she is convicted for wire fraud and sent to prison. This coming of age tale is filled with glitz, glamour, and gangster moves as we witness Dwen's trials and eventual triumphs to survive and stand strong in her authentic truth.

Kissing Drew

Inside a drab middle school in 1992, a sexually-confused eighth-grader attempts to regain his dignity after being bullied by a sex-obsessed 'cool kid' whom he privately fantasizes about.

12 Points

Jonas's father expresses his enthusiasm about Conchita Wurst's victory at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. Hence, his 18-year-old son works up the courage to come out as a homosexual and introduce his boyfriend to his parents unexpectedly, his father's euphoria about the tolerance and open-mindedness displayed at the Song Contest comes to a sudden end.

Albino

Yashima is a woman who works as a plumber. She is also uncomfortable with her own sexuality. One day she visits a home for a job and meets Kyu. Yashima senses Kyu's eyes watching her. They become intimate, but a dark secret is soon revealed.

Hair

Upon receiving his draft notice and leaving his family ranch in Oklahoma, Claude heads to New York and befriends a tribe of long-haired hippies on his way to boot camp.

Vanilla

When Bastien has an affair with a woman, Matt finds it increasingly difficult to forget. And when they meet Florent, things take an unexpected turn.

Cabaret

Inside the Kit Kat Club of 1931 Berlin, starry-eyed singer Sally Bowles and an impish emcee sound the clarion call to decadent fun, while outside a certain political party grows into a brutal force.

Water Lilies

Set during a sultry summer in a French suburb, Marie is desperate to join the local pool's synchronized swimming team, but is her interest solely for the sake of sport or for a chance to get close to Floriane, the bad girl of the team? Sciamma, and the two leads, capture the uncertainty of teenage sexuality with a sympathetic eye in this delicate drama of the angst of coming-of-age.

Plus. Minus.

Told in reverse chronological order, an aspiring drag queen creates a world out of desolated motel rooms with the guy he met online.

Boys On Film 16: Possession

Golden boys, teen lust, self-conscious dolls, chance encounters, a vengeful creature, holiday romance, hidden sexuality — Boys On Film celebrates it's (not so) sweet sixteen with an astonishing selection of the latest international gay short films. Volume 16: Possession features ten complete films: Kai Stänicke's "Golden" with Christian Tesch and Maximilian Gehrlinger; Christopher Manning's "Jamie" starring Sebastian Christophers and Raphael Verrion; Kai Stänicke's "B." starring Susanne Bormann and Andreas Jähnert; Blake Mawson's "PYOTR495" starring Alex Ozerov; Charlie Francis's "When A Man Loves A Woman" starring Tommy Jay Brennan, Jemima Spence, and Diane Brooks Webster; Anthony Schatteman's "Follow Me" starring Ezra Fieremans and Maarten Ketels; Jake Graf's "Chance" starring 'ABS' and Clifford Hume; Andrew Keenan-Bolger's "Sign" starring John McGinty and Preston Sadleir; Oliver Mason's "Away With Me" starring Chris Polick and Lee Knight; and "We Could Be Parents" by Björn Elgerd.

More Than T

Seven transgender and gender nonconforming individuals share their unique experiences with Silas Howard.

Unicorn

A young German/Bolivian Mennonite risks his life to escape his strict religious community to find love and freedom in the city.

Zack & Luc

A split-screen film telling two versions of the entire story of a relationship. Each memory becomes intertwined with all the others: the firsts, the lasts, the middles, each of the small nothing moments that add up to something in the end.

Adam

This short film centers around a high school student whose declaration of love to another boy leads to hostile reactions from his classmates.