Highlighting the Power of Queer Cinema: the 2020 Frameline44 Pride Showcase

Founded in 1977, the Frameline Film Festival (aka San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival) is the oldest and most widely recognized LGBTQ film festival in the world. This year, the Frameline44 Pride Showcase is being offered digitally from June 25—28, and features 16 original programs from around the world.

Here are some of our favorites from the Frameline44 Pride Showcase:

1. Welcome to Chechnya, dir. David France

Oscar-nominated director David France’s latest documentary delves into the intolerance and violence of present-day Chechnya, where Head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov claims no queer folks are living. Welcome to Chechnya features an undercover team of activists who are “desperately trying to save their vulnerable queer community from further persecution and even death.”

This film does feature homophobic violence.

2. Twilight’s Kiss (Suk Suk), dir. Ray Yeung

Heartfelt, nuanced, and thoughtful, Ray Yeung’s romance about two older gay men is set in Hong Kong and explores that challenges of exploring sexuality and falling in love later on in life. While many coming-of-age stories beautifully examine what it means to be a questioning young person, it’s refreshing and necessary to see a story of LGBTQ elders.

3. Disclosure (Panel Only), dir. Sam Feder

Available to stream now on Netflix, Disclosure is an intimate and unprecedented look into how trans lives are depicted in the media today. Frameline is offering a free panel on Wednesday, June 24 at 6 p.m. PDT with executive producer Laverne Cox and director Sam Feder.

4. Summerland, dir. Jessica Swale

In a world where finding wlw representation is often difficult comes Jessica Swale’s gorgeous period drama featuring a love story between Gemma Arterton and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Set during the London Blitz, this film features pagan folklore, found family and a long-ago romance against the backdrop of beautiful coastal Kent.

5. Parade (Short), dir. Ronald Chase

Lost for nearly 50 years, this film documents San Francisco’s first official Gay Pride Parade, “giv[ing] expression to the thoughts and feelings of a wide range of participants and onlookers — not all of whom are supportive.” An incredibly special piece of history, Parade is not to be missed.

You can learn more about the festival and the Frameline44 Pride Showcase here. You can view ticketing information here.

Which Frameline44 Pride Showcase films are you most looking forward to?

Featured image courtesy Frameline