Tag: short film

Posted on

Queer Short Film: “Shower”

I have to recommend the Norwegian short film, Shower, directed by Henry K. Norvalls.

After screening at prestigious film festivals around the world, the darkly erotic short is online in full for the first time.

Official description: A man enters the shower after working out, but is soon side tracked by an unidentified noise. He decides to seek out the source and enters a situation that leave him completely exposed.

Trust me, the film doesn’t end up where you think.

More and more, I’m drawn to short films. In part because I have a short attention span, and in part because I think young filmmakers are packing powerful messages into short films.

Watch on Vimeo here. NSFW.

Posted on

Queer Short Film: “Authentic”

For a bit of #ThrowbackThursday, I bring you the short film, Authentic, which debuted in 2012.

The short film explores a bachelor’s pursuit of happiness. Or, is it his avoidance of it?

The official description from the creative team of director Manuel R. Mota & producer Aytac N. Turkay:

Aaron is a bachelor living a stereotypical life with a decent earning. He works in a bank, managing people’s finances, but he has trouble to manage his own life in late 20’s. Whenever he finds a minute of privacy in his day, he hastily delves into his own fabricated reality: a world of excessive sex, pornography, and masturbation. However, this is a manifestation of his feelings of intense lack of connection (Anorexia-Avoidance) and the loneliness around him.

One day Aaron meets a new neighbor and establishes a connection. This moment lights a spark inside that grows, opening a door to achieve the emotional and physical satisfaction he was longing.
Is Aaron ready to give up his comfort zone?

“Authentic” is a portrait of a person desperately trying to find meaning in the compulsive pursuit of climax. In his quest for satisfaction he either doesn’t see his real desires or ignores it deliberately?

After the film’s premiere in December 2012, Authentic was well-received on the film festival circuit with Mota receiving Best Director honors at the 17th Sydney Film School Festival. The short also was won the Audience Award for favorite short.

Watch below. Warning: adult content/NSFW.

(h/t NewNowNext)

Posted on

Podcast: White House Preps Trans Military Phase Out; Will & Grace Already Renewed For 2nd Season; Gay Short Film Charms Millions

In this week’s podcast:

• The White House has approved guidance for booting transgender service members out of the U.S. military

• NBC not only adds four more episodes to the Will & Grace reboot, but has already renewed the iconic sitcom for a second season

• Animated queer short film In A Heartbeat charms millions in only four minutes

• The acclaimed film Call Me By Your Name gets first official trailer

• Matt Joyce of the Oakland A’s suspended for shouting anti-gay slur at fan

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

Posted on

Animated Queer Short: “In A Heartbeat”

This adorable animated short follows a closeted school boy named Sherwin who runs the risk of being outed by his own heart after it pops out of his chest to follow the boy of his dreams, Jonathan.

The project was funded via Kickstarter. The project is the senior thesis of two students at Ringling College of Art and Design.

The duo originally sought $3,000 in funding but received $15,000!

Lots of “heart” in this story about love and acceptance of LGBTQ youth. I think it’s pretty much a perfect gem of a moment. The pace, the expert use of music, the artful expressions…

Just, watch below – you’ll be glad you did 🙂

Over 560,000 views in less than a day.

Posted on

Podcast: Chechnya, Chelsea Manning & Out Short Film “Wonderkid”

In this week’s episode of The Randy Report :

• Gay men in Chechnya are still being rounded up, tortured and killed, and guess what the United States is doing about it?

• Transgender whistleblower Chelsea Manning is free after 7 years in prison.

• A Mississippi man is sentenced to 49 years in prison for the murder of his transgender girlfriend.

• Nevada bans so-called “ex-gay” conversion therapy.

• A new study shows facial hair plays a big part in perceived masculinity, sexual attractiveness and even the length of relationships.

• Short film “Wonderkid” tackles homophobia in competitive sports. Watch the full film for free at www.wonderkidfilm.co.uk/watch

I appreciate everyone who follows my podcast.

I’m going to ask a favor here: as podcasts are becoming more and more popular, I’d appreciate it if you would recommend The Randy Report podcast to you friends. It’s intended as an easy and listener-friendly way to catch up on the week’s LGBTQ headlines.

If you like, please consider sharing the link to my podcast on your social media, or just tell your friends.

In just a few months, I’m proud to say The Randy Report is one of the top LGBT podcasts on iTunes.

Listen below.

Posted on

Short Film: “The Curse Of The Un-Kissable Kid”

Director Mark Marchillo spins a totally charming tale of Joshua, a 14-year-old teen who’s coping with bullying and his own sexuality.

One day, Joshua meets a psychic at a local carnival who gifts him with a magic potion guaranteed to help him make more friends.

BUT – there’s always a “but,” right? – after he drinks the potion, it’s revealed that unless he’s able to experience a true love’s kiss within 24 hours, he will disappear.

Who thought up that kind of “help?”

He and bestie Caitlyn immediately set out to find the perfect love, but to no avail.

Finally, they set up a kissing booth, maybe bigger numbers will set the odds in Joshua’s favor!

And along comes Caitlyn’s neighbor, Harry, and that’s when the real magic sets in.

Young love, kissing AND musical numbers!

Watch below.

Posted on

Short Film: Ian McKellen On Growing Up Gay And Coming Out

In this compelling short film (directed by Joe Stephenson for Tate Britain’s new Queer British Art exhibit), Scott Chambers gives an emotional performance evoking the feelings of a young Ian McKellen, as the acclaimed actor narrates his account of growing up in a time when there was no possibility of being out as a young gay man.

“Gay people, homosexuals, conducted their lives as secretly as possible. There was nobody who was out. Nobody.”

“Part of the reason I proselytize, talk about being gay, is because I don’t want today’s children not to enjoy their sexuality, be aware of it, think about it, puzzle about it, discuss it, have it out in the open, because of course it’s central to what you are.”

Watch below:

Posted on

Student Director Crafts Moving Spec Spot For ADIDAS

Bravo to student filmmaker Eugen Merher of Germany.

Merher’s spec spot for Adidas has a visceral pull that’s undeniable. The minute and a half video tells the tale of a senior in a retirement home who dreams of his days as a marathon runner.

And then one day, he finds an old pair of Adidas running shoes.

This one will tug at you.

The 26-year-old student at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg told the Huffington Post that he tried to share it with the footwear company: “We tried sending it to [Adidas’] communications department but they didn’t really react.”

I’ll bet you’ve got their attention now, Eugen 🙂

Posted on

YouTube Filmmakers Present Trailer For 2016: The Movie

YouTube filmmakers Friend Dog Studios present their trailer for the fictional (or not?) film, 2016: The Movie. 

The clip presents the year 2016 as the “scary thriller” that was – complete with celebrity deaths and unexpected election results.

Via Entertainment Weekly:

The clip, which takes the calendar year and turns it into a scary thriller, begins on Dec. 31, 2015, with a happy couple ringing in 2016 with kisses and wishes for a prosperous new year, new home, and ever-growing relationship. But things go wrong fast: “You want know who died today?” asks a creepy voiceover, teasing the terrible events to come.

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Posted on

Short Film: “Understanding”

Beautiful short film, Understanding, from director Terry Rayment, shot by cinematographer Kate Arizmendi, on the power of communication and acceptance.

From the YouTube description:

Director Terry Rayment’s 35mm film “Understanding” poignantly depicts the transformational power of love and happiness. Cinematographer Kate Arizmendi captured all of the emotions beautifully on KODAK VISION3 500T 5219.

(h/t JoeMyGod)