Making Waves is a heartfelt short documentary that explores the experiences, uncertainties and joys of life as an LGBTQ+ person in rural Ireland. Filmed over a memorable weekend gathering, this documentary offers an intimate meditation on the varied shape LGBTQ+ life in rural Ireland can take through the voices of 6 individuals - Michael, Darragh, Lily, Kim, Gerard & Sorcha.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Co.Clare coastline, Making Waves navigates the emotional currents of rural loneliness and isolation, shedding light on some of the challenges that LGBTQ+ individuals often encounter in more remote settings. Through personal interviews, the film portrays the courage and resilience displayed by those who bravely forge their paths, making a contribution to the betterment of the LGBTQ+ landscape in Ireland.

Trailer:  https://vimeo.com/849144726

Runtime: 11 mins

Sadhbh and Deirbhla have fallen in love.

Deirbhla wants to tell the world about their relationship by going to their sixth year Debs as a couple.

Sadhbh wants to keep the romance quiet to meet the expectations of her classmates until they’ve finished their Leaving Cert.

When their Irish teacher announces the deadline for applications is the end of the school day, the couple is prompted to conduct their relationship as Gaeilge to keep their drama behind the closet door, leading to some disastrous miscommunications.

Will they be able to save the spark, or are they just lost in translation?

Visit: www.alanadalymulligan.com/homofónia

Runtime: 11 mins

Loafers Bar in Cork was one of Ireland’s longest running gay bars; it opened in 1983 and closed suddenly in 2015. Loafers was much more than a bar – it was a crucial community space, a home for the weird and wonderful of Cork and a refuge for the Cork LGBT community. Its rooms were filled with love, laughter, dancing, political discussions and activism. 

LOAFERS Documentary marks 40 years since the opening of Loafers Bar in 1983. Loafers was one of Ireland’s longest running gay bars (1983-2015) and was a crucial community space for Cork’s LGBT community. Using a combination of interviews, archival footage, photographs, illustrations and animation LOAFERS documentary gives a glimpse into the legend and legacy of Loafers. The documentary explores what Loafers meant to the people who ran it, worked in it and frequented it, and the impact of the loss of such an important safe space for the community.

Visit: www.corklgbtarchive.com

Runtime: 56 mins

Content warning: References to discrimination (LGBTQ+ & Travellers)

Queer Spectrum Film Festival Feature - India

We follow Kusum, a trans girl on a series of dates with boys; As they find themselves trying to straddle the line of respecting her boundaries and expressing themselves and failing at it most of the time.

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/queerspectrumfilmfest/

Runtime: 17.57 mins

Content Warning: References to cross dressing and kink, sexual acts, partial nudity

Queer Spectrum Film Festival Feature - India

Set in rural India, it's a Coming of age story of two sisters Malwa and Khushan exploring and experiencing sexuality and attraction in their adolescent years. Living with their grandmother, Khushan always looks up to Malwa for her outspoken nature and courage. Soon a new girl arrives in Khushan's class and she starts developing feelings for her.

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/queerspectrumfilmfest/

Runtime: 20 mins

Queer Spectrum Film Festival Feature - India, UK

Follow the silent saga of Mehroon, a transgender woman, who, upon learning of her father's death, is thrust into a tumultuous battle with her past and familial expectations. As Mehroon confronts the suffocating grip of her father's will, which presents itself with a condition of Mehroon returning as a 'son' to the family, what follows is a tale of confronting past demons, grappling with navigating the lingering effects of the relationship with her deceased father, and navigating through the puddles of life while dealing with grief and societal norms.

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/queerspectrumfilmfest/

Runtime: 11 mins

Content Warning: physical punishment of a child, partial nudity, references to detransition

Queer Spectrum Film Festival Feature - Ireland

The dark skin alien landed in the unknown, unfamiliar and unique landscape from the infinite darkness…' Completed as part of the artist's residency at IMMA, Skin To Skin Talks explores themes of alienation, otherness and outsiderness using abstract imagery, prose and sensation-invoking techniques to reflect on the intersections of race and sexuality.

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/queerspectrumfilmfest/

Runtime: 11.50 mins

Content Warning: sexual racism

Queer Spectrum Film Festival Feature - USA

Inner Wound Real tells the story of three BIPOCs who used to self-injure, then seek out new ways to cope. Each participant’s story has its own distinct visual style. The chapters are independent puzzle pieces that together form the 15-minute film. Everyone self harms in some way such as smoking, excessive drinking, or eating unhealthy foods, yet self-injury carries a unique stigma. While most media depictions of self-injury focus on able-bodied white cis-women, this project focuses on three individuals: an Indian cismale, a Black transgender non-binary person, and a Fillipinx queer femme. Each of the participants found a different way to move beyond self-injury through the Arts, including acting, drawing, and tattooing. The variety of family backgrounds and identities show how this practice spans across racial, ethnic, and gendered groups.

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/queerspectrumfilmfest/

Runtime: 15 mins

Content Warning: references to abuse, substance use and self harm