Dare – Dir. Adam Salky (16mins)Starring Adam West, Michael Cassidy
After play practice one night for the senior production of ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, backstage boy Ben gives Johnny, the play’s Stanley, a ride home to help him with his lines. When a bottle of champagne gets opened, the boys end up in Johnny’s swimming pool, where everyday boundary lines quickly blur.

In The Closet – Dir. Jody Wheeler (14mins)Starring Brent Corrigan, JT Tepnapa
An anonymous bedroom inside a typical apartment somewhere in Los Angeles. A pair of young men enter, one having scored a one-night stand, the other giving away little as to his true intentions. Little does one of them know that a homo-hungry closet-case lies in wait, and it hasn’t been fed in quite some time… Porn star Brent Corrigan whips out his acting chops and pulls it off in an entertaining B-movie knees-up with considerable bite.

Area X – Dir. Dennis Shinners (USA) 15minsStarring Matt Schuneman, Antony Raymond
Paul’s dad unexpectedly picks him up from work. And then a hooker. After dropping them off at a seedy roadside motel, Paul’s father hands him two hundred dollars and that he mustn’t come out until he’s a man. These are just a few of the bizarre events that Paul recounts to Marco, a seductive hustler he meets in a dicey bar on a hidden street underneath New York City’s infamous Port Authority Bus Terminal, also known as ‘Area X’.

The Young and Evil – Dir. Julian Breece (15mins)Starring Vaughn Lowery, Mark Berry
This visceral short film follows the zero-to-60 path of Karel, a young African-American who is determined to seduce an older man, an HIV prevention advocate, into giving him the virus. The oft-taboo issues of having gay sex but not using protection are amplified by taking place in the African-American community, a daring approach to a controversial topic that landed the film a Sundance nomination.

Dish – Dir. Brian Krinsky (15mins)Starring Matthew Monge, Jeff Martin, Octavio Altamirano
Emo kids Israel and Louie walk around their East Los Angeles neighborhood dishing and “sexting” about their high school classmates. After listening to Louie boast about his sexual escapades, Israel decides he has some catching up to do.

Bugcrush – Dir. Carter Smith (36mins)Starring Josh Caras, Donald Cumming
Bugcrush is the story of Ben, a small-town high school loner, whose fascination with Grant, a dangerously seductive new kid, leads him into something much more sinister than he could ever have imagined.

Astoria, Queens – Dir. Kyle Coker (22mins)Starring Aaron Michael Davies, James Heffron, Sangeeta Parekh, Hayley Thompson-King
Inspired by ‘The Wizard of Oz’, four Kansas City twentysomething misfits navigate their new lives in the Emerald City of New York. Newly single Thom, our Dorothy, discovers NYC in a second “coming out party”. Jimboy, the brainless Scarecrow, wants to become the first gay white rap superstar. Anisha, the workaholic Tinman, searches for a heart and Callie, a whiskey drinking Cowardly Lion, lacks the courage to make it as an actress.

http://www.peccapics.com/View/id,186

Two young men, Johann and Robin, take a trip into the countryside. The more they walk the forests of Brandenburg, the stranger their adventure becomes. Bikes disappear, maps prove useless – and each gets to know a new side of the other. Johann and Robin regard the new situation as a kind of sporting challenge. They allow themselves to just go with the flow. After several days of hiking, the two lads arrive at an old farmhouse inhabited by a woman and her adolescent son. The men receive a surprisingly warm welcome and soon begin to share the small family’s daily routine and their secrets. For a while they enjoy an enchanted round of excursions and storytelling, flirting and games – until one day the new companions get too close for comfort. Johann and Robin are flung out of their refuge and back into the world at large. Light Gradient tells the story of a journey of two men, travelling light, searching for the truth beneath the facade, for fairy-tale moments in the heart of the countryside, and for a natural gay relationship far from the madding crowd.

Director: Jan Krüger
Cast: Sebastian Schlecht, Eric Golub, Iris Minich, Denis Alevi
Country: Germany
Runtime: 75 min
Genre: Drama

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1351770/

Cowboy – Dir. Till Kleinert (Germany)
An estate agent goes to investigate a prime piece of property in the countryside whereupon he encounters a mysterious farm boy. A mutual attraction develops, albeit uneasily, and the pair indulge in a bout of passion amongst the haystacks. Meanwhile, out among the corn fields, a horrifying fate awaits them…
Winner, Iris Prize Short Film Festival, Cardiff

Lucky Blue – Dir. Håkon Liu (Sweden)
A balmy summer night. A camping site somewhere in Sweden. The grand emotions, the shy teenager, the first love, caravans, karaoke and a bird… This is the story of a boy who, in spite of his insecurities and fears, finally finds the courage to express his love in his own special way.
Winner, Best Short Film, Gothenburg Film Festival

Weekend In The Countryside – Dir. Mathieu Salmon (France)
Pierre is invited to go on a weekend trip to an old country house belonging to best friend Marc. The property is overrun by Marc’s frighteningly unruly dogs. Marc assures Pierre that they are harmless, but when Pierre rebuffs Marc’s sexual advances, the canines turn nasty.
Official Selection, São Paulo and Istanbul Short Film Festivals

Kali Ma – Dir. Soman Chainani (USA)
When an Indian mother finds out her son is the victim of a vicious homophobic bully, she delivers her own brand of vigilante justice. Part electric action thriller, part exhilarating comedy, ‘Kali Ma’ finds the secrets that divide mothers and sons and the love that brings them together.
Winner, Best Short Film, Rosebud Awards

Bramadero – Dir. Julián Hernández (Mexico)
The beautiful and erotic Bramadero finds Hassen and Jonás on the outskirts of Mexico City. Away from it all, they’ve found a spot where they can seduce one another and merge into one; where sex becomes desire, desire becomes love, and only death will separate them.
Official Selection, Frameline, Seattle and Toronto LGBT Film Festivals

Love Bite – Dir. Craig Boreham (Australia)
Noah and Gus hang out and smoke weed after school. As the munchies kick in, Noah feels compelled to share a secret desire that has been tormenting him. An uncomfortable Gus thinks he knows what’s up. He has no idea…
Official Selection, Sydney Mardi Gras Film Festival

The Island – Dir. Trevor Anderson (Canada)
A filmmaker with a vivid imagination considers, with the help of animation, a piece of fan mail he received. What if all the gays in the world were put on an island?
Official Selection, Newfest and Frameline Film Festivals

Futures & Derivatives – Dir. Arthur Halpern (USA)
A group at the law firm is caught off guard when asked to produce a presentation for an important client. They subsequently hire a bookish temp to pull an all-nighter. Not only does the temp finish the power-point presentation, but he leaves behind a trail of magic that will change the perceptions and sensibilites of the office staff forever.
Official Selection, Brooklyn Film Fest, LA Shorts Fest, ReelHeART

Working it Out – Dir. Tim Hunter (Australia)
Marcus and Peter go to their local gym for their usual workout, which is disturbed by a buff and handsome man called Jeremy। The pair bicker over the sexy Jeremy, accusing one another of either cheating or being all-out paranoid. In the end, though, Jeremy will have his way…

http://www.peccadillopictures.com/View/id,171

Spare, elegant and moving, the love story of Pascal and Ricky has been woven into this gorgeous tapestry of a film. Told through flashbacks and memories, the emotionally rich, Soundless Wind Chime tells of the journey of Ricky, searching for his own lost soul and discovering the past of his Swiss lover, Pascal. With the love story as the central anchor of the film there are other fragments swirling around that make for a perfect, completed puzzle. While this sounds confusing, the film is so gracefully constructed by writer/director Kit Hung, it all works. Ricky is Chinese and Pascal, Swiss. Their love story is told in English, as that’s the language they spoke. Pascal was rough street trade; his abusive boyfriend sent him to the streets to pick pockets. Tiring of his creepy partner, Pascal flees their seedy apartment. At a street café he meets a very shy Ricky, a waiter. Breaking through Ricky’s private nature, their shared attraction took hold. Their relationship was marred by jealous spats, punctuated by intensely passionate lovemaking. Shot with an intimacy and intelligence seldom seen in an indie, Soundless Wind Chime is a superb debut feature from Kit Hung; one that will open new doors for all those open to its pleasures. — Scott Cranin

Director: Kit Hung
Cast: Bernhard Bulling, Li Fong, Wella Zhang, Wong Siu Ying, Yulai Lu
Country: Hong Kong, China, Switzerland
Runtime: 110 min
Genre: Drama

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1360832/

http://www.tlavideo.com

Eyes Wide Open is a gay love story in the heart of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Jerusalem.
Aaron (38), a respectable butcher in Jerusalem’s ultra-Orthodox community, is married to Rivka (28) and a dedicated father to four children.
After his father’s death, Aaron is looking for assistance in his business when a handsome and homeless Yeshiva (religious school) student, Ezri (19), comes upon the butcher shop by chance. Aaron decides to be Ezri’s patron: he hires him, teaches him the craft of slaughtering, and houses Ezri in the shop’s back room. Aaron invites Ezri to meals in his home and introduces him to the community. When they go together to a remote “Mikve” (a sacred ritual bath), an intimate moment occurs between them.
From this moment onwards, Aaron knows no peace. Spending more and more time with Ezri, Aaron starts neglecting his family and community life until he is completely swept away in a whirlpool of love and lust for Ezri.
While Rivka suspects that something is wrong with Aaron, Rabbi Vaisben, (56) a family friend and the head of the community, tries to warn Aaron of the future to come if he won’t expel Ezri. But Aaron refuses.
Unwilling to tolerate Ezri’s presence, the “Modesty Guards”, a radical authority in the Ultra-Orthodox community, threaten Aaron. Under enormous pressure that Rivka and the community operate on him, Aaron comes to a decision to commit an irreversible act….

Awards: 2 wins & 3 nomination

Director: Haim Tabakman
Writer: Merav Doster
Cast: Ran Danker, Tzahi Grad, Ravit Rozen, Zohar Strauss
Country: Israel | Germany | France
Runtime: 90 min
Genre: Drama, Romance

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1424327/

Summer – Dir. Hong Khaou Starring Peter Peralta, Jay Brown
It is said that if one succeeds in catching a falling leaf in mid-flight, then a wish will be granted. Leung and Will, two teenagers, venture into the woods to catch themselves a wish but Leung longs for something that Will isn’t willing to give. A touching tale about the anxiety and excitement of a boy wanting to kiss his best friend.

Gay Zombie – Dir. Michael Simon Starring Ryan Carlberg, Brad Bilanin, Robin McDonald
A sexually confused zombie meets a boy and eats another in this hilarious yet touching tale about how much more the heart bleeds when undead love is not reciprocated.

Serene Hunter – Dir. Jason Bushman Starring Eric Debets, Jonathan Stringat, Flannan Obé
Luc is more interested in sweaty hook ups than romance, cruising the busy streets of Paris for his next brief encounter. However, the cynical Luc can’t avoid love entirely and eventually must decide between the thrill of the chase or settling into a solid relationship.

Le Weekend – Dir. Timothy Smith Starring Omar, Fernando Peres
A young, cynical French film student armed with a Super 8 camera comes to London to experience the sights and sounds. He soon befriends a stranger who shows him a side of the city he never thought he would see.
Official Selection, London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival Winner, Best Short Film, Milan Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Winner, Jury Award, Calgary Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

Cowboy Forever – Dir. Jean Baptiste Erreca Starring Jones de Araújo, Ronald Rosa
Fictionalized from a true story, this docu-drama takes us on a journey through Brazil’s Mato Grosso do Sul and into the lives of a pair of Brazilian gauchos, one of whom, Govinda, has an irrepressible attraction to fellow cowboy John.

Scarred – Dir. Damien Rea Starring Chris Anderson, David Durham
The once handsome Rafi has a recently disfigured face that makes it difficult for him to meet other men. When a close friend introduces him to Joe, Rafi feels strangely drawn to the stranger. Yet he isn’t sure why Joe doesn’t seem to mind his scars and as Rafi knows only too well, appearances are deceiving…
Winner of the PlanetOut Short Movie Awards

Packed Lunch – Dir. Tim Hunter
Many swimwear designers, Speedo fanatics and its creator Peter Travis discuss why it is that gay men can’t seem to get enough of these tight fitting trunks.

Mirror, Mirror – Dir. John Winter Starring Roy Billing
Joe’s glory days as Jana, the glamorous drag queen, are well behind him. Sitting before his familiar vanity mirror, Joe faces the difficult decision of saying goodbye to his alter ego – but feisty Jana won’t fade away without a fight.
Official Selection, Frameline International Film Festival

VGL Hung! Dir. Max Barber Starring Marcus Proctor, Ashley Ryder
Bored and ignored, a magical website gives short and unattractive Terry the powers to transform himself into any hunk he desires. However, being handsome and hung doesn’t make life any easier. Featuring many Eurocreme stars, this is a witty modern day fairytale about how ruthless the gay scene can be.

Fourteen centuries after the revelation of the holy Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad, Islam today is the world’s second largest and fastest growing religion. Muslim gay filmmaker Parvez Sharma travels the many worlds of this dynamic faith, discovering the stories of its most unlikely storytellers: lesbian and gay Muslims.
Produced by Sandi DuBowski (Trembling Before G-d) and Sharma, A Jihad for Love was filmed in 12 countries and 9 languages and comes from the heart of Islam. Looking beyond a hostile and war-torn present, it reclaims the Islamic concept of a greater Jihad, whose true meaning is akin to ‘an inner struggle’ or ‘to strive in the path of God’ – allowing its remarkable subjects to move beyond the narrow concept of Jihad as holy war.

Awards: 3 wins
http://www.ajihadforlove.com/home.html

Director: Parvez Sharma
Producer: Sandi Simcha Dubowski
Country: US, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany
Runtime: 81 min
Genre: Documentary

Harry is a twenty-three year old former boy band singer casting about for a new sound. His sixteen-year old brother Max is following in his footsteps in gay director Christopher Münch’s (Hours and Times) new film. Harry and Max were once close as kids, but as they grew up, they became distant from one another. As a move to regain some intimacy, the two brothers embark on a camping trip. From the very first, Max bombards his brother with sexual innuendos that make it obvious that he lusts after his brother. Then we learn that these two brothers have a sexual history from several years ago that rekindles in the tent. While the story is certainly quite controversial, Münch brings a unexpected calm to the proceedings. Besides the focus on incest, Harry and Max also dips into the topic of aging boy pop stars – and aging in general. The writing, directing and lead performances are top notch in this edgy feature indie. Also of interest are cast members Michelle Phillips (of the Mamas and the Papas) and Rain Phoenix (Even Cowgirls Get the Blues.) Besides the out-of-the ordinary storyline, the actors are adorable and the film compelling – don’t miss Harry and Max.
Scott Cranin

Director: Christopher Munch
Cast: Bryce Johnson, Cole Williams, Rain Phoenix, Michelle Phillips, Tom Gilroy, Justin Zachary
Country: USA
Runtime: 74 min
Genre: Drama

“Right” from the inventive opening credits, you’ll know that Mr. Right is a delectably fun treat. The film has a cast of characters that will become family by the film’s end. Louise (Georgia Zaris), friend to a gaggle of gay men, just wants to make sure that her current beau Paul (Jeremy Edwards) is actually straight. She has a history of dating gay men, so she brings him to a dinner party with her buddies. There’s Alex (Luke de Woolfson), a cater-waiter whose acting career is always just about to take off. He’s living with Harry (James Lance), a reality TV producer who’s ashamed of the crap he foists on the public. Tom (David Morris) is a successful artist who brings his rental boyfriend Larrs to the party; Larrs (Benjamin Hart) is always on the make, or is he? And then there’s William (Rocky Marshall), whose 11-year-old daughter is determined to drive her dad’s boyfriends away. Current beau Lawrence (Leon Ockenden) is a TV star who everyone sort of recognizes, and who thinks that he’s actually the doctor he plays on TV. Director/co-writer Jacqui Morris and her co-writer brother David have crafted a fast-paced movie about a group of charming characters who each discover an inner truth as the film develops. The frothy, fun and upbeat Mr. Right is one of the best date movies this year. Enjoy!

Director: David Morris, Jacqui Morris
Cast: Benjamin Hart, David Morris, James Lance, Jeremy Edwards, Leon Ockenden, Luke de Woolfson, Rocky Marshall
Country: United Kingdom
Runtime: 95 min
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

http://www.tlavideo.com/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0882789/

With his blue hair and life-size poster of Celine Dion on his bedroom wall, Marc Hall’s devout Catholic parents had to deal with having a gay son, but now the school board of his Catholic Parish had to face Marc as well. All Marc wanted to do was bring his date to the prom like all of his accepting friends, and that’s just what the school wouldn’t allow — so sets the drama for this excellent, surprisingly fun, made-for-Canadian TV movie.
Set in the fictional working-class town of Inniston, Ontario, Prom Queen introduces viewers to Marc Hall (Ashmore), a popular student who manages to avoid the typical harassment a gay kid in a small town would expect to face. But when Marc decides to take his boyfriend to the prom, he finds he has stepped over the line, straight into a firestorm. His boyfriend Jason wasn’t prepared for the battle and closet issues arise. His mother and father love their son unconditionally and they join the battle. Marc submits his application to take his date to the prom like all other students, expecting nothing more than to join the party. What he gets is a firm rejection first from the principal and then the school board. When Marc appeals the decision he loses that too. It’s then that sharp gay attorney Lonnie Winn (Scott Thompson) takes up the battle toward the end we all know is coming — after all this is a happy movie!

Awards: 2 nomination
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0410953/
http://www.tlavideo.com/

Director: John L’Ecuyer
Screenwriter: Kent Staines, Michael MacLennan
Cast: Aaron Ashmore, Jean Pierre Bergeron, Mak Fyfe, Marie Tifo, Dave Foley, Scott Thompson, Andre Noble
Country: Canada
Runtime: 92 min
Genre: Comedy, Drama