Since its inception in 2001, TLA Releasing has been devoted to providing the best in independent cinema for LGBT audiences. These aren’t your typical Hollywood fare by any means. The films deal with real life situations, and are reflective of our global society, depicting stories of struggles, accomplishments, coming out, and love for all.

See below for a listing of their latest new releases.

Why Not You

Mario, a sensitive and somewhat self-destructive young dancer, finds difficulty in the day-to-day life of his small Italian village. At a local festival, he reunites with Lenz, a former childhood friend who left town long ago. Instantly, old memories and suppressed feelings rise to the surface. Mario quickly becomes fixated on Lenz, who is now living out his dreams as an actor in Rome. Inspired, Mario decides to follow his friend to the Italian capital. When they meet in a gay bar, it becomes painfully clear that Lenz does not reciprocate his feelings. The night takes a far more tragic turn when armed men rush in and Lenz falls victim to their attack. Escaping unharmed, Mario’s life will be forever altered by the incident and the loss that follows. The debut feature of writer-director Evi Romen, Why Not You is a challenging character drama, following a disoriented young man who senses that he must find a place for himself in the world. 

Everything I Like

Daniel (Milton Roses), is an editor at a production company. When Javier, a new cameraman, joins the crew, it upends Daniel’s life in ways he never expected. Though he’s always considered himself straight, Daniel begins to develop feelings for the alluring Javier. Though he’s encouraged by his closest friends to finally come out of the closet, Daniel isn’t sure he’s ready. Once he admits to his bisexuality, he enters the world of online dating, embarking on an uncomfortable, often embarrassing and deeply funny journey through a new world of potential partners. All the while, however, he’s looking to work up the courage to tell Javier how he really feels… and to finally get over his fear of being naked in front of another person. Limited 8-episode series. 

Ernesto

Ernesto (Federico Russo) is a teenager who wanders, in search of himself, through the streets of Rome. Chapter after chapter, time passes – and people just seem to disappear. But he continues to live impromptu relationships, causing pain to himself and to others. Taking refuge in his happy moments and in political ideologies, he believes he can save his soul from suffering… although life will force him to grow and move forward. Directed by partners Alice De Luca and Giacomo Raffaelli under their joint creative banner Freeres, Ernesto was shot in the 4:3 aspect ratio to give viewers a sense of the fragments of the lead character’s life – as if the film you’re watching were a lengthy re-working of the protagonist’s own memories.

Skeleton in the Closet

Handsome, twenty-something, Manuel, travels back to his hometown with an ulterior motive- to ask his parents for money to move to Denmark with his super-hot boyfriend.   Soon after arriving, however, things start to get complicated- his boyfriend dumps him, he has a surprising romantic encounter with an ex-teacher, and his parents are finding every possible means to avoid talking about his love life!

No Hard Feelings

Parvis, the son of exiled Iranians, copes with life in his small hometown by immersing himself in pop culture, Grindr dates, and raves. After being caught shoplifting, he is sentenced to community service at a refugee shelter where he meets siblings Banafshe and Amon, who have fled Iran. As a romantic attraction between Parvis and Amon grows, the fragile relationship between the three is put to a test. They find and lose each other throughout a summer of fleeting youth, and intense first love.  An attempt at a joint future brings them to the stark realization that, in Germany, they are not equal.

Dry Wind

Sandro is shy, hirsute, and horny. Factory worker by day, he keeps his head down just enough not to be spotted eyeing the ample flesh on display at his local pool. But after a few glances shared with the younger and sexier Ricardo, enough has been said. A few chance encounters in the woodlands, and a memorably explicit moment at a county fair, take us on an erotic trip out of the mundane of Sandro’s life.

But just as things start to make sense, in walks Maicon, a man who seems like he literally stepped out a Tom of Finland sketch, and upends everything. Stylish and explicit, Daniel Nolasco’s ‘Dry Wind’ sets a new standard for original queer erotic cinema.

Are We Lost Forever?

Adrian and Hampus have been living together for three years, and are engaged to be married. But their relationship has gone down an increasingly destructive path and during one fateful discussion it all comes crashing down.  For Hampus it is a relief to close the door on his destructive relationship with Adrian, but the latter is devastated and heartbroken. Will he be able to survive without the love of his life, or is there a possible way of somehow getting him back? Through desperate attempts to reunite, awkward encounters and rebound sex, they try to once again draw themselves closer together. But will it ultimately push them further apart?

Young Hunter

Ezequiel, a fifteen year old boy on the cusp of his sexual awakening, meets handsome, twenty-one-year-old Mono and quickly starts a relationship. Mono invites him to his cousin’s villa, to spend a weekend together, but while returning from the trip Mono disappears, no longer responding to Ezekiel’s texts. Ezequiel is surprised and confused until Chino, Mono’s cousin, sends him a hidden camera video of Ezekiel and Mono having sex, blackmailing him into making his own sex tape with a minor to be sold on the dark web, in order to keep his secret hidden.

Ezequiel, with an impossible choice, decides to seduce Juan Ignacio, a thirteen-year-old boy whom he knows from school and suspects has a crush on him. Ezequiel turns from prey to hunter against his own will and begins a seduction work on Juan Ignacio.

Nowhere

Adrian and Sebastian live an openly gay life in New York as Immigrants. When Sebastian’s visa is rejected, the two must decide whether to return to Colombia where they face rejection and persecution for their sexual orientation or do whatever is necessary to stay in the United States. Either way, the thoughts and discussions associated with the decision will have a profound effect on the couple. Hitting upon hot button issues, Nowhere places its characters within the context of the difficult immigration situation in the US and furthering a sense of homelessness and lack of belonging for the main protagonists.

Watch the Trailer

Visit TLA Releasing for purchase and streaming information, and a list of all films in their back catalogue.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.