TIFF Queer Guide 2024

It's going to be a very queer year in film if this year's TIFF is any indication. The 49th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) taking place from September 5th to 15th is back and bigger and gayer this year. The annual public-friendly film festival will feature 11 days of screenings, talks and special events highlighting the latest in national and worldwide cinema. 

This year’s programming offers a big range of stories depicting 2SLGBTQ+ characters and themes - including many filmed in Canada and led by Canadian voices. Documentary, comedy, romance and drama are some of the genres represented in the slate of queer-interest features and short films premiering at TIFF this year. And of course, there are TIFF-centered parties and meet-ups being hosted by and for queer folks throughout those two weeks as well. 

If you need a little help planning your month in movies, don’t worry - we got you covered! Check out YOHOMO’s picks of what titles and events you don’t want to miss this festival season. This year's guide is possible thanks to our brilliant minds and our friends at Felix.

Features

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Elton John: Never Too Late (Dir. R.J. Cutler and David Furnish, 2024, United States)

Screening September 6, 7, 13

The pop gay icon Sir Elton John is the subject of this new documentary, featuring candid interviews and never before seen archival footage of his years on stage. Co-directed by R.J. Cutler (The September Issue, Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry) and John’s husband, documentarian and Torontonian David Furnish, this is a portrait of the artist as he looks back on his life and forward to a climactic farewell show at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium. (This one is also coming to Disney+ soon, so no stress if you don't wanna rush to the theatre.)

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Really Happy Someday (Dir. J Stevens, 2024, Canada)

Screening September 8-11

This is an intimate story drawn from the lived experiences of Toronto-based director J. Stevens and Breton Lalama, who wrote and produced it together. Before he transitioned, Z (Breton Lalama) was a rising star in Toronto’s musical-theatre scene. But now, with testosterone injections affecting his voice, Z must figure out how to sing in his new register in order to return to the thing he loves most — and, in the process, integrate his past and present selves. 

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Love In The Big City (Dir. E.oni, 2024, South Korea)

Screening September 5, 13-15

This is a cinematic adaptation by filmmaker E.oni of the novel by the same name from author Park Sang-young. Jae-hee (Kim Go-eun) was never like the others and, in a collective, uniform culture like South Korea’s, embracing her individuality has triggered endless gossip. One day, she meets Heung-soo (Steve Sanghyun Noh), another misfit lost in the big city. When she finds out Heung-soo is hiding his gay identity, the two form an unlikely relationship while navigating growing pains in search of love and self in Seoul.

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Queer (Dir. Luca Guadagnino, 2024, Italy and United States)

Screening September 9, 10, 13-15

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name, Challengers) takes risks when translating William S. Burroughs’ autobiographical novel to the screen. Lee (James Bond, AKA Daniel Craig) mingles with the expatriate set in postwar Mexico City, wandering its streets, frequenting its gay bars, and ingesting whatever illicit substances are available. Accompanied by the handsome young bi-curious Oklahoman Allerton (Drew Starkey), Lee travels to the Amazon in search of the potentially telepathic ayahuasca - running into a string of unexpected encounters. 

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Viet and Nam (Dir. Trương Minh Quý, 2024, Philippines, Singapore, France, Netherlands, Italy, Germany and Vietnam)

Screening September 5, 10, 11,15

Though the mine feels like a space of confinement at first, it’s a place of liberty for the young working men Viet and Nam. Here, the pair can freely express their romantic feelings in intimacy. But they are due to stay apart as Nam prepares to move abroad for better opportunities. Set during a time of change in Vietnam in the aughts, the movie is beautifully shot on 16mm and evokes an emotional, universal, and timeless exploration of the senses. 

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Sweet Angel Baby (Dir. Melanie Oates, 2024, Canada)

Screening September 5, 9, 10, 12, 13

Eliza (Michaela Kurimsky) is an unassuming, beloved member of a small fishing community in Newfoundland, but she hides a super-popular anonymous social media account filled with many erotic photos of herself, and a private relationship with the lesbian outsider Toni (Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers). When Eliza’s secrets come out, the people of her bucolic coastal village quickly turn on her. Director Melanie Oates’ second feature is a beautiful and heartbreaking look inside small-town identity politics, masterfully deploying themes of conformity, queerness and sexuality.

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Will & Harper (Dir. Josh Greenbaum, 2024, United States)

Screening September 5, 11, 12, 14

This heartfelt documentary from director Josh Greenbaum (Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) follows Saturday Night Live alumni and close friends Will Ferrell and Harper Steele as they take a road trip through the US following Steele’s announcement of her transition. In a 16-day journey, they cross the American heartland - including states that have recently placed restrictions on gender-affirming care. Will & Harper delivers an urgent message on the sobering challenges trans people face today, and how the love of a friend can give strength in precarious times.

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Do I Know You From Somewhere? (Dir. Arianna Martinez, 2024, Canada)

Screening September 5-7,12

Olive (Caroline Bell) and Benny (Ian Ottis Goff) are spending an entirely ordinary day at their lake house. Until Olive finds Benny replaced by a woman named Ada (Mallory Amirault), who can’t understand why Olive doesn’t know her. They’ve been together for years, after all!

The debut feature from Fredericton filmmaker Arianna Martinez explores the emotional turmoil of a woman slowly realizing she might not have been living the life she wants, and grappling with everything that means. 

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The Paradise of Thorns (Dir. Boss Kuno, 2024, Thailand)

Screening September 6, 9, 10, 15

In a remote, mountainous Thai village, Thongkam and Sek have built a durian orchard for themselves from the ground up. While hand-pollinating the flowers to bear fruit, the two men promise an eternity together. But their dream life is soon shattered when Sek falls to his death. Without Thongkam’s name on the land deed, Sek’s mother is entitled to sole ownership of the orchard. Thongkam must now fight to reclaim the fruits of the couple’s love and labour. The Paradise of Thorns reflects on the legacy of Thailand’s recently passed same-sex marriage bill — the first in Southeast Asia — and the long struggle ahead.

Shorts

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Gender Reveal (Dir. Mo Matton, 2024, Canada)

Part of Short Cuts 2024 / Strange Cuts. Screening September 5, 8, 12

When a people pleaser and their two partners end up at a thoroughly obnoxious gender reveal party in Mo Matton’s hilariously anarchic satire, the gathering goes in a direction no one could've anticipated.

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Don't F*ck With Ba (Dir. Sally Tran, 2024, United States)

Part of Short Cuts 2024 / Strange Cuts. Screening September 5, 8, 12

Director Sally Tran delivers an ultra-stylish, multilingual, kick-ass action spectacular with the tale of a crew of femmes in New York's Chinatown striking back at a gang that threatens their community.

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Are You Scared To Be Yourself Because You Think That You Might Fail? (Dir. Bec Pecaut, 2024, Canada)

Part of Short Cuts 2024 Programme 04. Screening September 9, 10, 13

As played superbly by Lío Mehiel in Bec Pecaut’s deeply affecting drama, Mad wrestles with turbulent emotions while recovering from top surgery at home with their partner and mother.

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Events

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Trans Filmmakers Summit 2024

The Trans Filmmakers Summit x TIFF is back for its third year. 

This edition introduces the Short Film Fund, a live short film pitch competition.Three finalists will pitch their short films to a jury of industry heavyweights and a live audience, and the winner will receive a grant and in-kind services to create their film.

Back once again is the CMF Barrier Breaker Award, through which The Trans Film Mentorship will honor a trans leader who is actively challenging the limitations of the media industry and disrupting the system, paving the way for more and better trans representation and storytelling. This year’s award will be given to Emmy nominated, mixed-race trans Latina actor, filmmaker, and cultural worker Nava Mau.

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The TFS is open to all trans and non-binary creators, industry partners, and allies to discover and celebrate trans barrier breakers at TIFF 2024 and beyond.

Date: Sunday, September 8th

Time: 12:30pm-3pm

Location: Malarte Rooftop at TIFF Lightbox (350 King Street West)

Price: Free 

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STIFF at Hooters

STIFF, the annual celebration of queer cinema at TIFF, is kicking off the festival this year by taking over the Hooters rooftop for one night only! DJs V∆NESS∆ and Phillipppe will spin all kinds of 90's house goodies with extra special tig ol' biddy performances from Allysin Chaynes and Boa! Peter Knegt and Fisher Price will be your hostesseses with the mostessses.

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Advance tickets are sold out, but you can join the wait list or purchase tickets at the door when they are announced this week.

Date: Friday, September 6th

Time: 9pm-2:30am

Location: Hooters (280 Adelaide St W)

Price: $15-$20 advance ($30 at the door)

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Pussy Whipped Wednesday at Bovine Sex Club

Toronto's Trashiest Rock’n Roll Party is hosting an extra special TIFF edition, with a 4am last call! The night will feature live music by The Cramps City Devils, tunes by DJ Vivs, Go Go by Paige Turner and Starlotte Satine, and burlesque performances by Sydney Quest, Rubie Magnitude, Allysin Chaynes, Dolly Berlin, El Toro, Aviva The Mirage and Tanya Cheex.

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Date: Wednesday, September 11th

Time: 9:30pm-4am

Location: The Bovine Sex Club (542 Queen St. W.)

Price: $10

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The 2024 Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 5th - 15th. 

TIFF single tickets are currently on sale for the general public, with prices ranging from $28 to $95 according to event types. A select few screenings will also have tickets available to Under-25 Free Passholders and community partners beginning at $13.50. 

‍Visit TIFF website for more information on tickets and screenings.

This year's Queer TIFF Guide was made possible by our pals at Felix.