UNLEASHED LGBTQ+ 2023 FILM FESTIVAL
1005 Botham Jean Blvd, Dallas, TX 75215 | September 23, 2023 | 11AM - 8PM
“BRINGING QUEER CONTENT FORWARD”
(3-Day & Saturday Badges Grant Access To All Films)
THE MATTACHINE FAMILY
While Thomas and Oscar are very much in love, after their first foster child returns to his birth mother, they find that they have different ideas about what making a family actually means.
Director: Andy Vallentine
Runtime: 1 hour 39 minutes
September 23, 2023 11:00 AM
ALIGNED
Aligned is an intimate exploration of self-discovery, love, desire and pain. Set against a backdrop of beautiful music, dance and photography. Two male dancers with shared cultural heritage, though worlds apart, find a deep unexpected connection. This intimate tale reveals the beauty that lies within us all and the transformative power of self-love.
Director: Apollo Bakopoulos
Runtime: 1 hour 18 minutes
September 23, 2023 1:30 PM
THE BEAT GOES ON
WIn this documentary special, KHOU 11 examines the origin and history of the Pride Houston Parade. The program also highlights the personal stories of the grand marshals of the 2022 parade.
Director: Dale Lockett
Runtime: 47 minutes 35 seconds
September 23, 2023 3:20 PM
TINA TOWN
Three young gay men who are best friends, two of them married to each other, find the memories of their individual childhood traumas so painful they turn to crystal meth, “Tina”, their "painkiller." After years of using they all descend to a world that might be imaginary or real called Tina Town where residents are met immediately with two choices: stop using the drug which would allow for possible escape and a chance to continue living or use and face the wrath of the town's unofficial leader, Mr. Jones, who, upon catching a young resident, rapes and kills them. Two of the characters, Sammy and Andy who are married to each other, must mourn the loss of their friend, Ashtyn, who was recently captured. Sammy and Andy are left and faced with the two choices which they find almost impossible to make. Tina Town explores crystal meth addiction, trauma, the horrors of the passage of time but at heart the film is a love story of two gay men and the lengths they will go to save each other thereby saving themselves.
Director: Michael Hyman
Runtime: 1 hour 32 minutes 46 seconds
September 23, 2023 4:45 PM
INTENTIONALLY ERASED
“Intentionally Erased” is a new documentary from A Call to Men aiming to do just that by spotlighting four Black trans women in conversation with Black cisgender men. What follows is a series of honest, heart-wrenching interactions that uplift the experiences, challenges, and humanity of Black trans women in the United States. The film had its world premiere on Monday, September 26th, at the Out On Film festival in Atlanta, GA.
“Intentionally Erased” was co-written, directed, and produced by A Call to Men’s Chief Communications Officer Kimya Motley – an educator and activist working to end violence against all women and girls. Inspired by the work of Tony Porter and A Call to Men (in addition to her own experiences as a survivor of gun violence and domestic abuse), Kimya directed, co-wrote, and co-produced this absorbing documentary to identify and deconstruct the biases against Black trans women.
“I made this film to foster a greater understanding of the experiences of Black trans women, to uplift the humanity of Black trans women, to expand awareness about the violence levied against Black trans women, and, ultimately, to reduce that violence in any way possible,” says Motley. “Each and every one of us need to be invested in centering and supporting those folks living at the most extreme margins of society.”
A Film by: A Call to Men
Runtime: 47 minutes 35 seconds
September 23, 2023 6:45 PM
UNLEASHED LGBTQ+ 2023 SHORTS SERIES | SHORT FILMS TO BE PLAYED CONSECUTIVELY STARTING AT 8 PM
THERE ARE THINGS TO DO
Urvashi Vaid, an outspoken immigrant, lesbian and woman of color was an LGBTQ+ superhero who believed in human rights for all people and helped shape the modern day gay rights movement. Her vision for the movement serves as a roadmap of initiatives & tools for generations of activist as they face the anti-LGBTQ+ backlash. Her life in Provincetown, Massachusetts and decades-long relationship with partner Kate Clinton inspired her call to action to achieve equality by creating community.
Director: Mike Syers
Runtime: 17 minutes 58 seconds
September 23, 2023 8:00 PM
THIRTY-NINE IN THE DESERT
On the eve of his 39th birthday, a New York ad exec meets a local Palm Springs go-go boy, forcing him to examine his own life.
Director: Vance Stringer
Runtime: 10 minutes 29 seconds
September 23, 2023 8:20 PM
DISPATCH
A 911 operator gets a call that goes horribly wrong.
Director: Roland Spence
Runtime: 17 minutes 23 seconds
September 23, 2023 8:40 PM