“Queer and Here” films at CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (Toronto)

Featured Screening:

SATURDAY CHURCH
directed by Damon Cardasis

Runtime: 01:26:31 min [ watch trailer ]

Ulysses is a shy and effeminate boy who finds himself coping with new responsibilities as man of the house after the death of his father. Living alongside his mother, younger brother, and conservative aunt, Ulysses is also struggling with questions about his gender identity. He finds an escape by creating a world of fantasy filled with dance and music. Ulysses’ journey takes a turn for the better when he finds a vibrant transgender community.

Featured Short Film:

PASSING
directed by Lucah Rosenberg-Lee, J. Mitchel Reed

Runtime: 21 min [ watch trailer ]

Three men of color have undergone gender transition from female to male. The film explores what life is like living as a black man, when no one knows you are transgender and how each of them perceives their own journey with gender after many years of being interacted with by the world as a biological man.

Featured Short Film:

ANOCHE
directed by Irvin Castro, Nico Fernández

Runtime: 15 min [ watch trailer ]

A short film exploring the effect of the mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub in 2016

Featured Screening:

NOT IN MY NEIGHBOURHOOD
directed by Kurt Orderson

Runtime: 95 mins [ watch trailer ]

As cities around the world catapult themselves into ‘World Class’, Global City status, we have to ask ourselves, “at what cost”? Not in my Neigbourhood gives the account of citizens on the frontline of the struggle against the intersectional nature of Gentrification from three seemingly World Class Cities.

The film explores the effects of various forms of spatial violence on the spirit and social-psyche of citizens. It follows their daily struggles, trials and triumphant moments, as they try to shape the cities they live in, from the bottom up! Portraying our characters as active citizens, fighting for their right to the city, the film acts as a portrait of stories telling the history of spatial violence within the background of Architectural Apartheid to Gentrification.

Featured Short Film:

LESSONS INJUSTICE
directed by Karen Chapman

Runtime: 9 min [ watch trailer ]

Danardo Jones sets out on a car ride with his teenage son in hopes of having a conversation that some parents dread and others are unaware of.

As a lawyer, Jones is well aware that the law can do little to protect his son against the anti-black racism and discrimination that has become a part of his complicated identity.

Featured Short Film:

HOW TO BUILD A TREEHOUSE
directed by Gavin Mendoca

Runtime: 12 mins [ watch trailer ]

A one guitarist sits on the Sea Wall, at the coast of the Atlantic Ocean strumming his guitar. He closes his eyes and begins hearing powerful words in the ancient and native Patamona language, perhaps the voice of ‘Kai’. When he opens his eyes, he finds himself in a new, unfamiliar place.

Featured Short Film:

THE DELIVERER
directed by by Ron Morales, Paul Pryce

Runtime: 14 min [ watch trailer ]

Joseph Chike recuses a man at sea: the mysterious Shane Khan. Reluctantly, he gives the man refuge in the village until he recuperates. Shane learns of the predicament facing the village and shrewdly brokers a deal with Joseph: help him traffic cocaine from Venezuela to Trinidad using fishing boats and he’ll get him the money he needs to bribe any government official to leave the village in peace.

With no options left, Joseph takes Shane up on his offer and together they set sail to Venezuela on their first drug run.

Screenings Begin
6PM  |  ROYAL CINEMA  |  608 COLLEGE STREET, TORONTO

Caribbean Tales