The film festival is bringing queer films of all genres from 20+ countries. Here’s what to expect from May 23 to June 1, 2025…
Celebrating 35 years, the Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival is back from Friday, May 23 to Sunday, June 1, 2025 with films premiering at TIFF Lightbox and online across Ontario. The festival is set to take viewers on a rich cinematic journey with bold and transformative films that ensure queer stories continue, and are always, being seen.
“For our anniversary, we looked back to move forward—honouring the iconic films and filmmakers that shaped us, while championing bold new voices from around the world,” said Jenna Dufton, Festival Director of Inside Out. “This year’s Festival—and the films it showcases—serve as a powerful reminder of that truth, and of why Queer spaces continue to matter.”
Opening the festival is Elena Oxman’s Outerlands (Friday, May 23 at 7:00 p.m.), which received a Grand Jury Award nomination at this year’s SXSW Film Festival. The film, led by Asia Kate Dillon who was praised by Variety for their performance, follows Cass (Dillon) as they juggle a series of jobs to stay afloat in San Francisco. After being left to watch the daughter of their crush for days, Cass wonders if the child has been abandoned, leading unresolved feelings about their abandonment to bubble up.
Closing the festival is the Brazilian musical called The Best Friend (Saturday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m.), described as From Justin to Kellyand Mamma Mia for its camp factor. A follow-up to the 2013 short by the same name, Lucas reunites with his college crush Felipe in the resort town of Canoa Quebrada and must decide if his life will be ruled by his insecurities or if he’ll succumb to his passions.
Beyond the festival’s bookend titles, there are 28 feature films and 69 shorts from over 20 countries including Canada, USA, Brazil, Denmark, Australia, Iran, India and more. With so many selections in a range of genres and various forms from live-action to animation, some other highlights from this year festival include:
- The Danish film Sauna (May 25 at 9:30 p.m.), co-presented by IN Magazine. Making its Canadian premiere the movie is a raw story of love, desire and identity that follows Johan’s carefree life of hookups and parties. That is until he meets William, a transgender man, who changes everything.
- For the festivals RE:Focus Gala, the film Enigma (May 24 at 6:45 p.m.) will make its debut looking at the lives of icons April Ashley and Amanda Lear. The film is directed by Emmy nominated filmmaker Zackary Drucker.
- The world premiere of the Indigiqueer musical Starwalker (May 23 at 6:45 p.m.), is described as a testament to the life-changing moments that can occur when we embrace who we are without looking back.
- A documentary about the first American woman to visit space called Sally (May 31 at 2:15 p.m.), tells the journey of this household name and feminist icon, who carried a secret with her.
- Starring the city of Toronto, the Local Heroes (May 29 at 7:00 p.m.) short programming block features stories about healing journeys, cat sitting and zombie apocalypses that will pull at your heart strings, make you chuckle and say “I know that place.”
- Every season RuPaul says “In the grand tradition of the legendary documentary Paris is Burning…” at the introduction of each reading challenge. Now the documentary I’m Your Venus (May 31 at 4:45 p.m.) continues the story of the memorable Venus Xtravaganza. In the film, three of Venus’s biological brothers work with members of her ballroom family to honour her legacy, in part by trying to have her almost 35 year murder case reopened.
- For Canadian east coast scenery, the comedy Lakeview (May 25 at 4:00 p.m.) about a girls’ weekend in Nova Scotia follows a group as they celebrate divorce, while confronting old feelings and new relationships. Sweet Angel Baby (May 31 at 3:30 p.m.), set in a small Newfoundland fishing community, follows the life of Eliza who has a social media alter ego.
- Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning series Hacks (May 29 at 9:15 p.m.), will celebrate its season four finale with a party thanks to premier sponsor CRAVE.
Tickets for the 35th edition of Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival are on sale now at insideout.ca/festival. Don’t forget to use hashtag #InsideOut35 on social media throughout the event.
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