List
Pride Movies
Celebrate Pride Month with these critically acclaimed and award-winning feature films from around the world.
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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
2024Get this itemNicely adapted from Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s much-lauded, coming-of-age novel about two Mexican American teenagers grappling with their identity, sexuality, and complicated family relationships in 1987 El Paso, TX. Keep the tissues ready. You’ll feel all the feelings. Suggested by Elise and Sharon.
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The Blue Caftan
2023Get this itemWe loved this powerful, philosophical, and tender movie from Morocco that explores the many types of love with quiet yet commanding performances. It focuses on a woman and her closeted gay husband who run a caftan shop that provides exquisitely handcrafted garments. When they take on a young man as an apprentice, a complex relationship develops among husband, wife, and newcomer. Suggested by Chris, Rummanah, and Sharon.
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The Inspection
2023Get this itemInspired by his own experiences as a young, gay Black man who joined the Marines after his mother kicked him out of the house at age 16 and who then spent 10 years homeless, filmmaker Elegance Bratton’s movie is authentic and impactful. We’re pleased that this independent movie earned national critical acclaim. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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The Persian Version
2023Get this itemAn Iranian American woman who’s often at odds with her mother learns a family secret that makes her reevaluate her relationship with her mother. There are a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, though dealing with some serious topics. It premiered at Sundance in 2023 and got a standing ovation from the audience. Suggested by Chris and Sharon.
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Blue Jean
2023Get this itemThis stirring and powerful movie debut by Georgia Oakley captures a slice of British queer history in the 1980s. It takes a nonjudgmental and nuanced approach of self-acceptance, intergenerational solidarity, and sapphic power. Rosy McEwen gives a restrained and excellent performance as the titular character. Suggested by Rummanah.
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Strange World
2023Get this itemIn this vibrant, lively, and joyfully diverse animated feature movie, a family of explorers must overcome their differences as they go on an expedition into unknown territory to save the planet. Comedian/actor Jaboukie Young-White voices Ethan, Walt Disney Animation Studios first openly gay character. Suggested by Sharon.
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The Blackening
2023Get this itemSee what happens when a Juneteenth weekend reunion at a remote cabin goes sideways in the most outrageous ways. It's a Black horror comedy that plays with several tropes and offers much humorous, sharp social commentary. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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Wildhood
2022Get this itemI’m truly delighted by this beautifully told road trip story. It follows teenager Link as he runs away from his abusive white father, taking his younger half-brother with him to find his Mi'kmaw mother, about whom he was lied to for several years. Along the way, Link reconnects with his Mi'kmaq heritage, explores his two-spirit identity, and meets a potential romantic interest. Suggested by Sharon.
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Maybe Someday
2022Get this itemIndependent filmmaker Michelle Ehlen wrote, directed, and stars in this touching story about Jay, a nonbinary photographer recently separated from her wife who decides to move from New York to Los Angeles to focus on her career. Along the way, Jay reconnects with Jess, her high school best friend, and reflects on their complicated relationship and next steps to deal with the changes in her life. You’ll catch all the feelings. Suggested by Sharon.
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Cowboys
2021Get this itemWriter/director Anna Kerrigan delivers a sensitive drama about a father who wants to help his 10-year-old transgender son live authentically, which Joe’s mother does not accept. The two become modern-day outlaws on a western-inspired journey when they run away in the middle of the night and travel on horseback through the Montana wilderness toward Canada. In their feature film debut, trans actor Sasha Knight as Joe is a natural in front of the camera and picked up the Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Performance at the LA Outfest. Suggested by sharon.
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Breaking Fast
2021Get this itemNominated for a GLAAD award for Outstanding Film in Limited Release, director Mike Mosallam's heartwarming romantic comedy is set during Ramadan when Mo, a practicing Muslim living in West Hollywood, is learning to navigate life after heartbreak until he unexpectedly meets Kal. I found the movie's portrayal of a cross-cultural relationship and its exploration of the intersectionality between identity, culture, and faith to be refreshing, heartfelt, and introspective. Suggested by Rummanah.
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Te llevo conmigo: I Carry You with Me
2021Get this itemBased on a true story, this film follows Ivan and Gerardo, who met as young men in Mexico, fell in love, and illegally crossed over to the U.S. hoping to find opportunities and acceptance, but leaving behind loved ones. The actors playing younger versions of Ivan and Gerardo are affecting and beautifully convey the multifaceted meaning of “you” as well as home and family, while the real Ivan and Gerardo appear as their older selves to bring everything full circle. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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Portrait of a Lady on Fire
2020Get this itemOn an isolated island in Brittany in the late 18th century, a story unfolds about a forbidden love affair between two women. Gorgeously filmed, with fantastic acting and a compelling script, exploring desire, heartbreak, and the inevitabilities of life--this is a masterpiece. Suggested by Amber and Sharon.
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And Then We Danced
2020Get this itemSet in Tbilisi, Georgia, this film follows Merab, a young man whose goal is to dance with the National Georgian Ensemble. He is thrown off balance when a new dancer named Irakli joins the troupe and a romantic relationship develops between them. The dancing is exciting and culminates in a strong statement about inclusion and freedom. Suggested by Sharon.
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Rafiki: Friend
2019Get this itemKena and Ziki's fathers are rivals in a local election in Nairobi, but that does not stop the two young women from befriending one another, which quickly turns into a secret romance. When their relationship becomes public, they face harsh consequences from their parents and the community. We like that writer/director Wanuri Kahiu shows joy and hope, amid homophobia and restrictions from Kenyan authorities. Suggested by Chris and Sharon.
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Una mujer fantástica: A Fantastic Woman
2018Get this itemFrom Chilean filmmaker Sebastian Lelio, this won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Marina, a transgender woman, is dealing with the sudden death of her partner, Orlando. Played wonderfully by Daniela Vega, a transgender actor and singer, Marina faces suspicion, disrespect, hatred, and prejudice from hospital staff, the police, and some of Orlando’s family. Navigating her way through the sadness and turmoil, she picks up the pieces of her life, pursues her dreams, and shows the world that she is a fantastic woman. The perfect last scene really knocked me out. Suggested by Sharon.
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Signature Move
2018Get this itemZaynab is a closeted thirtysomething Pakistani Muslim lesbian lawyer hiding her sexuality while taking care of her recently widowed, soap-opera-obsessed mother. While her mother wants to find a husband for her single daughter, Zaynab starts to fall for Alma, an openly gay, vivacious Mexican bookseller. I loved the strong mother-daughter dynamic, plus the rom-com vibe. Suggested by Sharon.
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Handsome Devil
2016Get this itemAt an Irish boarding school where rugby takes center stage, two new students, one an ambivalent-to-rugby loner and the other a star player with anger issues, find themselves reluctant roommates. Yet, they bond over music, and this sports movie turns into one about friendship and truth. Plus, the reliable Andrew Scott turns up to play the coolest English teacher ever. Suggested by Elise and Sharon.
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Mosquita Y Mari
2013Get this itemFriendship slowly turns into mutual attraction in this delicate and authentic coming-of-age story about two Latina teens living in Southeast Los Angeles. Truly an under-the-radar gem from indie filmmaker Aurora Guerrero. Suggested by Sharon.
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Pariah
2012Get this itemDee Rees wrote and directed this superb semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story about lesbian identity, family relationships, and choosing to not run away. The main character, 17-year-old Alike, will stay with you long after watching. Suggested by Sharon.
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