Come out and support Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+’s community at Inside Out, Canada’s largest queer film festival.. 

For more than three decades, Inside Out has championed the work of 2SLGBTQ+ filmmakers, and brought Toronto’s queer community together. Over 9 days, from May 24 to June 1, the festival offers screenings, artist talks, panel discussions, installations, and parties that highlight more than 100 films from Canada and around the world, both in-person at TIFF Lightbox, and online. 

Inside Out is a not-for-profit registered charity that challenges attitudes and uplifts films created by and about 2SLGBTQ+ people of all ages, races, and abilities. Through their annual festivals in Toronto and Ottawa, their filmmaker initiatives, and youth engagement, they have changed lives completely. 

“Gathering to watch a film, whether at home with friends or immersed in the vibrant energy of a cinema filled with strangers, can be a profound communal experience. Queer cinema can affirm us and create a space for us to learn, reflect, grow, and connect,” says Jenna Dufton, Director of Festival Programming. 

We have put together a compilation of must-see films for this year’s annual festival that covers a variety of topics and genres. Tickets are available on their website with more information as well! 

Courtesy of Inside Out

My Old Ass

Starring Aubrey Plaza and Maddie Ziegler, this coming-of-age story follows an 18th birthday mushroom trip. Have you ever wondered what you would do if you met your older self? Well, follow Elliot, as she comes face-to-face with her 39-year-old self and hands out warnings to her younger self about what she should and shouldn’t do moving forward. Elliot realizes she has to rethink everything about her life including family, love, and what’s becoming a transformative summer. This screening will be its opening night, so you won’t want to miss out! More info. 

When: May 24

Where: TIFF Lightbox

Courtesy of Inside Out

Bulletproof: A Lesbian’s Guide to Surviving the Plot

This insightful, immersive, and personal look at queer representation in media pushes viewers to challenge their self perceptions. Created by filmmaker Regan Latimer, this witty, fast-paced, film is laced with pop culture references as Regan journeys across North America and beyond to understand the forces that translate into media. The original animation and personal anecdotes are interwoven with wide-ranging conversations with television insiders, LGBTQ+ community advocates, and people who just love to watch TV. For those passionate about activism and representation, this will be the film for you! More info.

When: May 25

Where: TIFF Lightbox

Courtesy of Inside Out

RE: Focus Gala: Sisters

Lou and Esther are the textbook definition of best friends. They do everything together, speak their own language of inside jokes and code words, and share a dreamy curiosity about what their lives would be like if they had sisters. Upon the sudden death of Lou’s father, she discovers that she has a very real, and chic long-lost half-sister, Priya. Naturally curious about this relationship, Lou begins to explore a life outside of her and Esther’s codependent bliss. A rift is greeted and threatens to grow beyond repair as she must learn to redefine what family is, or risk losing Esther for good. More info.

When: May 25

Where: TIFF Lightbox

Courtesy of Inside Out

Unusually Normal

Have you had the pleasure of meeting Canada’s gayest family? Unusually Normal follows three generations of women in one family who are all gay. Set against the backdrop of their loving and wholly authentic household, this family with over 165,000 TikTok followers invites you into their household. The film will traverse through three distinct eras alongside these extraordinary women to witness their unwavering resilience in the face of adversity. From navigating the waters of homophobia to grappling with profound family loss, this story triumphs against all odds. More info.

When: May 26 

Where: TIFF Lightbox

Courtesy of Inside Out

We Forgot to Break Up

Take a closer look at Toronto’s vibrant art scene and a diverse group of musicians who came together to form a band with a mission to ignite musical revolutions. Directed by Karen Knox, the film will be making its Canadian premiere at the the festival’s closing gala! Named as ‘The New Normals,’ the band creates a dynamic rock sound that goes beyond gender and sexuality. Their rise to fame is later faced with personal and romantic entanglements that complicate their journey. This film features original songs from Torquil Campbell of Stars fame, Peaches, Gentleman Reg, and The Hidden Cameras. More info.

When: June 1

Where: TIFF Lightbox

Courtesy of Inside Out

A Mother Apart

Mother-daughter relationships are never easy, but how do you raise a child when your own mother abandons you? In a remarkable story of healing and forgiveness, Jamaican-American poet and LGBTQ+ activist Staceyann Chin, renowned for performances in Def Poetry Jam and hit solo show MotherStruck!, radically reimagines the art of motherhood. While searching for her elusive mother, this journey spans a trail that leads to Brooklyn, Montreal, Cologne, and finally, Jamaica to forge a new sense of home. More info.

When: June 1

Where: TIFF Lightbox