DOC SHORTS SHOWCASE
DOC SHORTS SHOWCASE
A collection of thought-provoking, queer stories in bite-sized form, highlighting fresh voices and compelling perspectives.
Kan-Kan, Sunday, November 10 | 3:30PM | 101 Minutes
A-OKAY
Director: J Fitzpatrick | USA | 6 Minutes — Watch Trailer
In a world saturated with romance and intimacy, one person dares to break the mold. After years of self-discovery, they write a raw, honest letter to their younger self. This short documentary blurs memory and reflection, revealing a journey of breaking free and becoming whole.
DANCING IN TOMORROWLAND
Director: Jakob Roston | USA | 16 Minutes
In this fantasia of a 1980s gay rights theme park documentary an unsung teen activist fights to overturn Disneyland’s ban on same-sex dancing.
AUTOEROTICA: WE BUY GAY STUFF
Director: Jeremy Stilb | USA | 17 Minutes
Behind an unassuming "We Buy Gay Stuff" sign in San Francisco’s Castro district lies a hidden archive of queer history. For decades, AutoErotica’s proprietor Patrick Batt has curated artifacts from shuttered gay bars, vintage leather magazines, activist pins, and rare 8mm films. Nearly lost to the pandemic, a customer-led campaign saved this living museum, transforming it into a global touchstone of LGBTQ+ counter-culture.
TESSITURA
Directors: Lydia Cornett, Brit Fryer | USA | 18 Minutes
Tessitura weaves history and character portraits to explore how voice, character, and gender are continually reshaped in opera. The film follows contemporary transgender singers as they navigate tradition, blending personal stories with historical context to illuminate the ongoing dialogue about gender fluidity in the art form.
THANKS, BABS!
Directors: Jen Rainin, Rivkah Beth Medow | USA | 14 Minutes
Meet Babs, an irrepressible octogenarian racing through life on five-year plans. Part Maude, part whirlwind, she spars with her ex, flaunts her vibrator, lap-dances at her “39th-again” party, and kicks out anyone who dares say “80.” Between aquacise and a visit to the AIDS memorial grove, she muses—hilariously and tenderly—on love, aging, and the afterlife.
BIG BASS
Director: Drew Dickler | USA | 14 Minutes
What happens when others recognize who you are before you do? A filmmaker journeys back to 1997, unearthing a surreal second-grade memory that intertwines her emerging queer identity, an unforgettable PE teacher, and one very mysterious giant plastic fish.
SHELLY’S LEG
Director: Wes Hurley | USA | 16 Minutes
In 1970, flamboyant stripper Shelly Baumann lost her leg in a bizarre parade cannon mishap—then turned tragedy into triumph. With her settlement money, she launched Shelly’s Leg, one of the first openly gay discos in the U.S., sparking a cultural revolution. Narrated by Kathleen Turner, this vibrant documentary celebrates the wild, defiant legacy of a nightclub that changed queer history.