Reel Q, Pittsburgh’s longest-running and only LGBTQ+ film festival, is back for its 36th season in a new and exciting location: your home. That’s right, you will be able to enjoy the best of Queer cinema in Pittsburgh online and in-person from October 8 through October 16. Following health and safety guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Reel Q will present the majority of its films online, with the exception of several special live events across the city.
The line-up for this year’s season consists of 14 features including Cloris Leachman’s final film about a drag queen’s relationship with his feisty grandmother (Jump Darling); a documentary about an unstoppable lesbian punk band in 1980’s London (Rebel Dykes); a heartfelt and captivating film about college lovers who meet years later after one has transitioned to male (See You Then); a semi-autobiographical movie that is both funny and surreal — think Wes Anderson meets gay Russians (Potato Dreams of America); and the closing night feature, a charming and controversial rom-com about a family fallout after an Israeli woman brings home her German girlfriend (Kiss Me Kosher).
This year’s Reel Q will also feature a diverse line-up of more than 60 LGBTQ+ short films, certain to have audiences laughing, crying, and learning. Highlights include: Teen Dreams, a compilation of shorts for the young and young-at-heart; Black Excellence, a program centered on the Queer Black perspective; and Asian Voices, spotlighting Asian stories from around the world. All shorts will be available on-demand throughout the festival with a Quickies Pass, as well as individual tickets.
If you feel like getting off the couch, Reel Q will be hosting some events in person as well, starting with a drive-in screening of the film Sexplanation, along with drag performances and food trucks, at the Central Outreach Wellness Center on October 8. Then on October 9, True T Studios will be hosting a screening of the continuation of the edgy film-turned-web-series Boy Culture, followed by a Q&A with the cast and creators, moderated by True T Co-Founders John Easter (Des’manian) and Duane Binion (Naheen).
On October 15, local filmmaker Angela Washko’s Workhorse Queen will be showing at The Warhol at 7 p.m., followed by an in-person Q&A with the documentary’s star Mrs. Kasha Davis, Steven Levins (aka Mr. Davis), and the director, Angela Washko, moderated by John Musser (Veronica Bleaus). Be sure to stick around for the Warhol lobby party with DJ Jellyfish and performers Akasha L. Van Cartier, Anna Azizzy, Dixie Surewood, and Mrs. Kasha Davis herself. Note: this is a cash bar event where masks are required.
The Closing Night event will round out the festival at Row House Cinema on October 16 with a screening of the unique film Kiss Me Kosher and a post-film reception at Bierport with complimentary drinks and local desserts. Note: proof of vaccination is required.
The full Reel Q film festival schedule and more information can be found at ReelQ.org.
A selection of films will be shown only on one night; several movies may be viewed over 24-hours after purchase. Pre-recorded Q&As with directors and actors follow several films. Individual tickets are available for $10 and $7 for students. All virtual access Diva Passes are available for $90 and the Quickies Shorts Pass is available for $40. Tickets for individual films can be purchased on the film’s page at: watch.eventive.org/reelq. Passes can be purchased at: reelq.eventive.org/passes/buy. Tickets for in-person events are sold separately at: reelq.eventive.org/schedule.
ABOUT REEL Q
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, Opportunity Fund, The Fine Foundation, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, UPMC and UPMC Health Plan, and Allies for Health and Wellness.
