Every year, the Frameline International LGBTQ+ Film Festival 2024 hits the streets of San Francisco. It has become the largest queer event on the film festival calendar in the world! With Pride Month festivities currently ongoing, the festival’s mission, like every year, is to continue to spread positive messages about LGBTQ+ rights and champion those so often marginalized voices. With this in mind, here are ten picks for some of the must-see films of the festival.
1. All Shall Be Well
From Hong Kong filmmaker Ray Yeung, “All Shall Be Well” performed very well during its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year. It took home the covetous Teddy Award, the Queer Palme equivalent, in addition to placing third for the audience award. The film follows Pat and Angie who live a loving life as a lesbian couple in Hong Kong, hosting large meals for the queer community, however, their idyllic life starts to unravel in the face of tragedy. The film boasts an impressive 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the most anticipated of the festival.
2. Crossing
The fourth feature from Swedish filmmaker Levan Akin (“And Then We Danced”) is tipped to do well in the festival’s narrative competition following a strong showing in Berlin, winning the Teddy Jury Award. This Mubi-distributed film follows Lia, a retired schoolteacher, tracking down her long-lost niece, who was forced to flee Georgia for Istanbul with the help of her neighbor and a lawyer fighting for trans rights.
3. Fallen Fruit
Whilst director Chris Molina may be a relative unknown, that hasn’t stopped “Fallen Fruit” from being one of the hot-ticket items at the festival. This breezy American coming-of-age story centers around Alex as he returns to his home in Miami after a heart-shattering breakup. Here, he reconnects with his first-ever hookup and undergoes a process of self-discovery as he helps him navigate the transition into adulthood.
4. Good One
India Donaldson’s “Good One” has been causing quite a stir on the festival circuit this year, met with unanimous praise at both Sundance and Cannes. The Kelly Reichardt-inspired Coming-of-age film takes place over a camping weekend, as astonishing newcomer Lily Collias plays Sam, a young girl forced to reconcile with her father and his best friend. Moreover, it is a dialogue-heavy film with a massive heart that will force audiences to question the very nature of change and probe into the complexities of growing up.
5. In the Summers
Another Sundance breakout, “In the Summers,” is the semi-autobiographical first feature from Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio. However, despite being a first feature, the film took the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and is a thought-provoking, beautiful tale of two sisters and their relationship with their distant and, at times, problematic father. The performances shine in this odyssey told over many years that paints a haunting portrait of familial connections in the face of adversity. It is sure to be one of the finest features at this year’s Frameline festival.
6. Out
Frameline will serve as the world premiere for Dutch director Dennis Alink’s “Out.” The film is perhaps notable for being filmed in black-and-white, in a story centering around Tom and Ajani, two closeted high-school sweethearts who leave their rural town to travel to Amsterdam. Both questioning where they fit in the world as queer men, they both strive for their dreams of becoming filmmakers in this joyous and heartbreaking journey of self-discovery
7. Perfect Endings
Following the success of his first feature, “The Way He Looks,” which won the Audience Award at the Framline Festival, Brazilian director Daniel Ribeiro returns with “Perfect Endings.” This film follows Joao, a struggling filmmaker ready to start dating again after a decade-long relationship came to an end. Erotic and hilarious throughout, and if his first feature is anything to go by, this promises to be one of the most crowd-pleasing premieres at the festival.
8. Sebastian
Another sophomore feature, this time from Finnish British director Mikko Mäkelä, “Sebastian” is a complex deconstruction of sex work, as Max, an aspiring writer in London, begins transforming himself into the persona of sex worker Sebastian. He begins writing about his experiences and finds his creative output far more fulfilling; however, he is then forced to question where his life as Max ends and Sebastian begins.
9. Teaches of Peaches
From directors Philipp Fussenegger & Judy Landkammer comes a documentary about the life of cult musician Peaches. Following her entire career, from her days as a school teacher to the anniversary tour of her breakthrough LP, The Teaches of Peaches. Told through a series of interviews with herself, collaborators, and admirers, it is one of the most important documentaries of the year, as shown by its picking up the Teddy Award for Best Documentary at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year.
10. Turtles
Perhaps one of the most charming premises of any film at the festival, “Turtles” follows Thom and Henri, an outwardly gay couple in their 80s, who live a peaceful life in Brussels alongside their pet turtles, Topsy and Turvy. But, with Henri now retired, their lives begin to change as they try to find purpose and rekindle their passion for one another. David Lambert brings his comedic sensibilities to the project, presenting a relationship that has been likened to classic Tracy and Hepburn duos.
