Reel Q 39th Annual LGBTQ+ Film Festival: Real & Raw: Queer Documentary Shorts
The final in the series of our much-beloved Shorts Program, RAW & REEL brings together a unique program of documentary shorts available only at Reel Q 39. Don’t miss it!
Fri, Oct 12th, 7:30 PM @ Harris Theater
General Admission: $10 | Students & EBT Card Holders: $7
Queer Docs Lineup
Trans Heaven, Pennsylvania
In the 1970s and 1980s, the small Pennsylvania town of New Hope was among a few safe havens outside of major cities for gay men to find community. Over 30 years later, the town’s legacy remained, but now for a different community: transgender women. Trans Heaven, Pennsylvania explores the untold story of legendary, weekend-long parties that saw hundreds of transgender women and self-identified crossdressers take over the town, traveling from all over the country to meet other people like them. Through both interviews and stunning animation sequences that utilize never-before-seen archival photography, audiences not only get a glimpse into the heyday of these events in the early 2010s but also the iconic gay bar The Raven, which became the unlikely cornerstone of these weekends.
One Story at a Time: Celeste Lecesne
In the docu-short One Story at a Time, Celeste Lecesne candidly shares how he not only escaped the confines of homophobia but combatted it by finding the courage to share his truth with the world. In the seemingly fateful chain of events, an off-broadway solo show becomes an Academy Award-winning film that ultimately inspires The Trevor Project, the largest suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQIA+ youth. Now, 25 years later, countless lives have been saved and Celeste stays on course, inspiring the next generation to have the bravery to claim their truth and continue to change the world, one story at a time.
Sultana’s Reign
Sultana of New York is a Palestinian drag queen, performer, and artist. Sultana’s Rein opens with a conversation with Sultana as she is being painted by Jordanian artist RIDIKKULUZ. Reflecting on her journey from Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, to then New York, Sultana tells of the challenges of performing drag in conservative societies, her nostalgia for the glory days and the glamour of Egyptian cinema icons, and her struggle to prove her existence and her self-expression as a performer and artist. She shares her love of celebration and her everlasting commitment to be true to herself.
Don’t Cry For Me All You Drag Queens
A short film that pays homage to the legendary Mother Cavallucci by weaving together the present and the past to provde a striking portrait of belonging and memory. Poetically merging archival photographs and present-day footage from a community drag show, the film sparks conversation about the modern-day issues Mother Cavallucci revolutionized.
No More Longing
A musician tries to find his voice after moving away from Brazil and starting testosterone.
Remembering the Glade
Legendary 80-year-old showgirl Brandy Lee recalls how the Glade, a Honolulu nightclub famous for its “Boys Will Be Girls” revue, became a place of community, refuge, and joy for mahu — individuals of dual male and female spirit — during a time of violent anti-trans discrimination.
Ben in Bloom
Ben, a non-binary and queer teenager from the contentious Bucks County, Pennsylvania school district, weaves a heartfelt tapestry of their past, reliving the moments and people that shaped them into a fearless LGBTQ+ advocate.
Pride of Texas
A look at the Texas Gay Rodeo Association and its participants, proving that rodeo and Texas is a place for everyone.
ABOUT REEL Q:
Reel Q began in 1982 as the Pittsburgh Lesbian & Gay Film Series, a project of Pittsburgh’s GLCC (now the Pittsburgh Equality Center) and Pittsburgh Filmmakers. Our founder, Rich Cummings, launched the festival in its current form in 1985 and we hosted the first Pittsburgh Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.
Now called Reel Q, our film festival in October is the sixth oldest LGBTQ+ film festival in the world and the longest running film festival in Pittsburgh.
We also organize year-round events including our Reel Stories international film series. We facilitate meet and greets, panel discussions, parties, and partnered community events.
There is plenty of time to get involved with Reel Q! You can add your name to our volunteer list to find out how you can be part of one of the most unique cultural organizations in Pittsburgh.
Learn more at ReelQ.org.