< Back to Festival Program List
59th Chicago International Film Festival banner

OutLook

Competing for the Q Hugo Award, these superbly crafted films reflect the myriad perspectives and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals.


In-Person
A man and woman smile while clinking glasses, as they focus on the man facing them.

All of Us Strangers

Andrew Haigh  |   United Kingdom
English  
Drama, LGBTQ, Literary Adaptation, Romance

As Adam falls into a new relationship, he’s drawn back to his childhood home. There, his parents are living just as they were on the day they died.

In-Person
The black and white image of a woman leaning against a wall, the city street with a vintage car can be seen beyond.

The Battle A Batalha da Rua Maria Antônia

Vera Egito  |   Brazil
Portuguese  
Drama, Historical, LGBTQ, Political

On a pivotal night during Brazil’s dictatorship, a leftist student movement braces for violent conflict in this moody, stylized nod to history.

In-Person
People dancing in a vintage dance hall. Two women at center screen dance together.

The Beautiful Summer La bella estate

Laura Luchetti  |   Italy
Italian  
Coming of Age, LGBTQ, Romance, Women Centered

Summer 1938. Ginia moves to Turin and immerses herself in a sensual, bohemian world where she finds the courage to truly be herself.

In-Person
A young man with glasses glares straight ahead. His face is sweaty and battered.

Carnal Sins Almamula

Juan Sebastián Torales  |   France, Argentina, Italy
Spanish  
Drama, Horror, LGBTQ, Religion

Seduced by the myth of a local monster that punishes impure acts, gay teen Nino pursues temptation within a deeply religious community.

In-Person
A trippy, almost 3D colored image of a boy staring fearfully right into the camera.

Departing Seniors

Clare Cooney  |   United States
English  
Comedy, Horror, LGBTQ

In this Chicago-set update on the teen slasher, a gay Latinx high school student becomes an unlikely vigilante when he develops psychic powers.

In-Person
In a large brick waiting room, 4 people sit across a table from two others, all dressed professionally.

Housekeeping for Beginners Domakinstvo za pocetnici

Goran Stolevski  |   North Macedonia, Poland, Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo
Albanian, Macedonian, Romani  
Drama, Family Affairs, LGBTQ, Sex and Sexuality

When the head of the household passes away suddenly, a collective of queer misfits reluctantly come together to protect their found family.

In-Person
Two young children, splattered with mud, look towards the camera with serious expressions.

Monster Kaibutsu

Hirokazu Kore-eda  |   Japan
Japanese  
Drama, Family Affairs, LGBTQ, Mystery

Young Minato is behaving strangely, and his mother demands answers. Through the eyes of mother, teacher, and child, a complex truth emerges.

In-Person
A woman wearing a vibrant green wig and elaborate makeup, blows smoke into the air from a cigarette.

The People’s Joker

Vera Drew  |   United States, Canada, Scotland
English  
Comedy, LGBTQ

A trans coming-of-age story encased in a comic-book parody, The People’s Joker kicks down the doors of IP with witty humor and surprising heart.

In-Person
A group of well-dressed people dance in a ballroom.

The Persian Version

Maryam Keshavarz  |   United States
English, Persian  
Comedy, Family Affairs, LGBTQ, Music

In this snappy comedic drama featuring vibrant dance numbers, an Iranian-American woman must navigate her relationship with her opposing cultural identities and her mother.

In-Person
A man in the passanger seat of a car looks backwards over his shoulder past camera.

Pet Shop Days

Olmo Schnabel  |   United States, Italy, United Kingdom, Mexico
English, Spanish  
Drama, Family Affairs, LGBTQ, Sex and Sexuality

Two young men meet in New York City and enter a whirlwind romance, sending them into a dead-end world of passion, drugs, and depravity.

In-Person
A civil rights march. People standing arm in arm and walk in unity.

Rustin

George C. Wolfe  |   United States
English  
Biopic, Historical, LGBTQ, Political
The architect of 1963’s momentous March on Washington, Bayard Rustin was one of the greatest activists and organizers the world has ever known. He challenged authority, never apologized for who [...]
In-Person
A drag queen in a long wig and leotard performs in front of an adoring crowd.

Solo

Sophie Dupuis  |   Canada
English, French  
Drama, Family Affairs, LGBTQ, Music

A talented drag performer searches for love from a passionate yet domineering new relationship, and from his long-estranged mother.