Reel Q, Pittsburgh’s annual LGBTQ+ film festival, has released its line-up of provocative
films and special events for season 37. Running October 6 through the 15th, the in-person and online festival is highlighting a local independent production and features the largest selection of international films in its history. QBurgh is the proud media sponsor of the 37th Reel Q film festival.
“We have always prided ourselves in being an international festival,” says T. J. Murphy, Reel Q’s executive director. “But this year’s line-up of foreign films is outstanding. Over 40 queer shorts and 15 features represent countries like Brazil, Germany, Ireland, Taiwan, Lebanon, Israel, and more. It’s an impressive roster.”
Reel Q’s 2022 film festival begins Oct. 6 with “In From the Side” (praised as “The gay rugby film we’ve all been waiting for” Pink News UK) followed by an opening-night party at Row House Cinema. On closing night, Oct. 15, Reel Q screens “Framing Agnes” (a documentary about a group of trans actors confronting the legacy of young trans women from the past.); and “Happy Together” (celebrating the 25th anniversary of the landmark film); plus a reception with complimentary drinks and local desserts.
Other in-person screenings include: the world premiere of “Thanks to Her” (a coming-of-age film about a female soccer star) written and directed by local graduate Sam McCoy who will join us for a Q&A, on Oct. 7; “Mama Bears” (a timely documentary about Christian mothers who choose their LGBTQ kids over their church) on Oct. 8; and “Manscaping” (a fresh documentary on queer men in the barbershop world), featuring Pittsburgher Devan Shimoyama in the film, Q&A following the film. “Wildhood” (an award-winning film about a Native American youth dealing with sexuality and self-identity) on Oct. 14. That’s just a few of the many films being presented.
Reel Q 37 also features a diverse, virtual line-up of LGBTQ shorts programs and feature films available on-demand for the duration of the festival. The shorts lineup includes, “His Shorts,” “Her Shorts,” “Transtastic,” “Black Excellence,” “Cinema Brasileiro,” a collection of current Brazilian films, and “Teen Dreams,” a compilation of shorts for the young and young at heart.
The complete schedule of dates and feature films follows. Full film guide is available at ReelQ.org:
- *Thursday, October 6 – 7pm: In from the Side
- *Friday, October 7 – 7pm: Thanks To Her
- *Friday, October 7 – 9pm: Unidentified Objects
- *Saturday, October 8 – 1pm: Teen Dreams
- *Saturday, October 8 – 3pm: Mama Bears
- *Saturday, October 8 – 6pm: Manscaping
- *Saturday, October 8 – 8pm: Moneyboys
- Oct 7 through Wednesday, Oct 15: All Shorts Programs
- Oct 7 through Wednesday, Oct 15: Chrissy Judy
- Oct 7 through Wednesday, Oct 15: Death and Bowling
- Oct 7 through Wednesday, Oct 15: Esther Newton Made Me Gay
- Oct 7 through Wednesday, Oct 15: Homebody
- Oct 7 through Wednesday, Oct 15: Jimmy in Saigon
- Oct 7 through Wednesday, Oct 15: Long Live My Happy Head
- Oct 7 through Wednesday, Oct 15: Swoon
- Oct 7 through Wednesday, Oct 15: The Therapy
- *Friday, Oct 14 – 7pm: Wildhood
- *Friday, October 14 – 9pm: Sirens
- *Saturday, October 15 – 7pm: Framing Agnes
- *Saturday, October 15 – 9pm: Happy Together
- *In-person screening
Individual tickets are available for $10 and $5 for students and EBT card holders. Our all access “Diva Passes” are available for $150 and the “Quickies Shorts Pass” is available for $35. Tickets for individual films can be purchased on the film’s page at ReelQ.org.
Reel Q was created in 1985 to organize and manage year-round cinema that serves the educational and cultural needs of its audiences and is an organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and LGBTQ-supportive persons. Reel Q is made possible because of the generous support of: The Heinz Endowments, The Pittsburgh Foundation, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, UPMC and UPMC Health Plan, and Allies for Health and Wellness.