Every year, as part of our festival, Latest TV, Brighton and Hove’s local TV channel, screens a selection of films from our live events. This gives filmmakers a platform to have their work seen by thousands more!
Latest TV is available on Freeview 7 & Virgin Media 159, and livestreaming anywhere in the world at thelatest.co.uk
Here’s what our TV festival looked like in 2024!
Monday 12th & 19th
We Vogue
Dir: OTOXO Students – 09:14, Spain
Ballroom voguing has fiercely swept across the world becoming a global phenomenon. Against the backdrop of Spain’s contemporary ballroom scene, Jayce and a growing group of Black trans folks have emerged to reclaim the space.
Emerald City
Dir: Josef Steiff (he/him) – 21:14, US
Two young men cross paths on the back roads of the American Southwest and despite their different backgrounds, find common ground along the Border.
The Pride Liar
Dir: Andres Lübbert (he/him) – 19:07, Belgium
Emzo, a courageous queer activist, escaped persecution in Georgia five years ago, finding refuge in Belgium. This short documentary captures his unyielding commitment to the LGBTQ+ cause, showcasing the indomitable spirit of one individual’s fight for acceptance and equality.
Little One
Dir: John Clister Santos (he/him)- 09:13, Philippines
In the heart of Manila, Little One follows Joy, a pregnant mother unsure of how to raise a child. Seeking guidance, she arranges an interview with her two gay dads—Iko and Tino—but fate intervenes when Iko suffers a heart attack. Amidst this crisis, Tino reflects on their family’s history, captured on an old camcorder, revealing their journey of parenthood.
Cab Ride
Dirs: Ola Jones (he/him) & Femi Tiwo (they/them) – 11:58, UK
Set in the streets of south London, this naturalistic comedy drama sees two queer lovers bolt out of a house party, into a waiting cab where they have one eventful journey to figure out whether they are truly a match… Or maybe these dating apps are nothing but admin, admin, admin?
Over the Hill, Not Out of Sight
Dir: Arianna Azzaro (she/her) – 05:10, UK
“Over the Hill and Out of Sight” is a short documentary bringing awareness to the older lesbian community through the eyes of Jane Traies: lesbian archivist, researcher and author.
Tuesday 13th & 20th
Stone
Dirs: Jake Graf (he/him), Hannah Graf (she/her) – 13:50, UK
When Tess learns of her estranged father’s death, she travels to the funeral hoping for nothing more than some closure and the chance to meet the woman who stole him from her. Immediately blindsided by the revelation that her father was a transgender woman, Tess starts to wonder what else has been kept from her, turning to her mother for answers. Realising that nothing is as it seems, Tess must challenge not only everything she has been told about her childhood but, most importantly, her understanding of what it meant to be a father.
Seeing People Like Me
Dirs: Steven Coles (he/him), Itoitz R Jusue (she/her) – 05:00, UK
From Poland to Brighton, discovering Aga.
This micro documentary explores Aga’s discovery of her sexuality as she moves through different cultures and locations. Her journey starts in a society where being a lesbian was inconceivable to her, however, new people, places and experiences allow her space to discover herself and gain confidence in who she is.
O Pomar
Dirs: Ana Manana (she/her), Joana Lourenço (she/her) – 13:49, Portugal
West, end of the summer. Laura works at the pear harvesting, a family business. During the afternoon, Carol arrives at the village to spend a few of her vacations. That night, Laura is confronted by her regarding her true intent.
Fabulous Femininities
Dir: Jonothon Lees (he/him) – 50:25, UK
Fabulous Femininities is a captivating feature-length documentary that offers an intimate glimpse into the lives and journeys of six extraordinary burlesque performers
from across the United Kingdom. Through this documentary, the film aims to challenge
misconceptions surrounding burlesque and showcase its empowering nature as a
celebration of body positivity, creativity, and self-expression.
Wednesday 14th & 21st
The first Christmas of Noé
Dir: Alexis Renou (she/her) – 9:12, France
Noé and his sister mentally prepare themselves for the family meal that awaits them. The young man has postponed announcing his gender transition to his parents and shows up to the Christmas dinner as if nothing has changed, sporting a brand-new mustache.
Barbette + Fontaine
Dirs: John-Carlos Estrada (he/him), Zak Zeh (he/him) – 14:23, US
A century apart, two drag icons unite through art, resilience, and a shared legacy of self-expression and freedom. Leading the cast is Cynthia Lee Fontaine of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Love + (Love Positive)
Dir: Tushar Tyagi (he/him) – 17:09, India
Ajay wants his live-in partner, Utkarsh, to join him for a live interview, but Utkarsh wants to keep their relationship a secret. The concern for them seems bigger than appearing together for this live interview. Will this sero-discordant couple have a positive love story?
My First Punk Gig
Dir: Ewan McPherson (he/him) – 10:08, UK
When queer performer Derek McLuckie went to see the Stranglers in 1978, his eyes were opened as he felt part of a youth movement – yet there was struggles due to his sexual orientation. Derek reflects back on this gig and how punk provided the soundtrack for his coming of age experiences.
Impact
Dir: Dewi van Breukelen (they/them) – 15:43, Netherlands
We follow two queer friends and activists from Rotterdam, Sam (they/them) and Lee (they/them). They want to better the world around them, from caring for nature by working as gardeners to weekends attending protests, and late nights supporting queer artists. With so much injustice in the world and voices to fight for, how do they take care of their own well-being? Join Sam and Lee in their tumultuous world, which they face with a healthy dose of humor and determination.
A Tight, Warm Hug
Dir: Lucy Rose Shaftain-Fenner (she/her) – 05:54, UK
Lucy Rose, a transgender woman, shares her journey of self-love and empowerment since starting hormone replacement therapy three years ago. The film is part animation, part documentary and part VHS archive footage.
Thursday 15th & 22nd
The House Nobody Wanted
Dir: Jo Kimber (she/her) – 06:55, UK
A figure moves through an abandoned house, whilst a distant voice reflects on what it means to age and to age queer. A meditative ode to growing older, gay gods and finding joy along the way.
Alwan
Dir: Qais Sarhan (he/him) – 2:50, UK
Meet Alwan, a cheerful but lonely child. Spending his days alone, he’s used to feeling left out. When a mysterious yellow box appears, things take an exciting turn! This heartwarming story is all about friendship, creativity and the wonderful things that can happen when you let your imagination shine.
Beautiful Trouble
Dir: Christopher T McGill (he/him) – 17:24, UK
How can we use art activism to create a more just world? Dan Glass, a queer Jewish street activist, inspires and challenges us with his audacious tales of Trump Baby, dumping manure outside UKIP HQ and other theatrical stunts.
You Don’t Have to Like Me
Dir: Safiyah Smith (she/her) – 09:37, US
We delve into the harsh realities of a woman who presents as masculine, grappling with insecurities that threaten to consume her whole being. It captures the moments when disownment can lead to crippling self-judgment, when you feel like nothing more than a shadow of yourself.
Toothbrush
Dir: Shaun Kitchener(he/him) – 10:32, UK
With his wedding day approaching, a closeted young dad is running out of time to face up to his sexuality.
The Faint Goodbye
Dir: Aaron Garcia (he, him) – 09:32, US
A film experience about two past lovers meeting at a cafe after years apart. If you saw your past lover that you still had feelings for, what would you do or think?
Toxic Astrology Ex-Best Friends
Dir: Jack Warren (they/them) – 09:50, US
Toxic Astrology Ex-Best Friends follows Arla and Emmie, two girls who share everything: They’re both trans, they love witchcraft and astrology, and they cohost a podcast to help other queer people with their relationship problems. But all is thrown into question when Arla realizes that, for the first time, she has a secret she can’t talk about on mic: She has a crush on Emmie. Will their friendship survive?
Paula Says Hi
Dir: James C Thompson (he/him) – 13:41, UK
Paula Says Hi is a short documentary exploring inclusivity within the cosplay community, through the lens of Paula: a 52-year-old disabled crossdressing cosplayer. The film uses a blend of live action documentary footage and 2D digital animation as a way to express the vibrant inner world of Paula, a self-proclaimed and unapologetic part-time woman.
Friday 16th & 23rd
Making Up
Dir: Ryan Paige (he/him) – 15:00, UK
It’s the late 1980s in East End London – we follow Ted who is diagnosed with a hereditary illness. Ted must reconcile with estranged daughter, Cassandra. However, being a celebrated drag queen, paired with the bitter feelings Cassandra harbours over their past, presents a larger obstacle for Ted to overcome.
Coming Out Autistic
Dir: Steven Fraser (he/him) – 03:55, UK
Coming out Autistic is a short animated documentary that explores the experience of telling the world that you are autistic when you also identify as LGBTQ+.
Afro Drag: Past, Present, Future
Dir: Athena Carlin Holmes – 36:05, Canada
A journey through time and a manifestation of Black futures, this performance film includes original music, Voguing, Drag, and spoken word. Highlighting Black queer movements like the Ballroom scene, and icons including Stormé Delavarie through multidisciplinary performance and experimental film techniques. Afro Drag features performances by Canadian artists Aizysse Baga, BiG SiSSY, Carmen Mayhem, Fanm Pwezi, and Kuntiana Lust.
Slangbang
Dir: Lee Campbell (he/him) – 02:00, UK
In gay male slang, ‘bears’ and ‘cubs’ refer to body shapes and age groups. A ‘bear’ usually refers to a hairy plus-size man, whilst a ‘cub’ is a younger bear. An ‘otter’ is a slimmer hairy man, whilst a ‘wolf’ is an older daddy. A kaleidoscope of gay male bodies – Busby Berkeley style, Slangbang explores the idea of being codified by a set of occularcentric taxonomic principles that are meant to determine who you are as a person, and how you function in a relationship.
Carpe Noctem
Dir: Ash Wong(he/him) – 27:37, Hong Kong
Seth is a scare actor at a haunted house he designed, but he is deeply dissatisfied with his work and finds himself deficient as an artist. One day, he realizes that his painter friend, Bek, is in love with him, only for Bek to die in a horrible freak accident during Seth’s show. Riddled with guilt, Seth finds Bek half-alive in his studio without the memory of dying… A film about how love can make anything art.
Saturday 17th & 24th
Burning World
Dir: Benji Human (they/them) – 12:19, UK
The world is on fire, why not start a band? First Timers is a DIY punk festival where beginner musicians play for the first time in front of an audience. Over the course of one night, we follow the newest punks brave enough to take the stage.
Wolf
Dirs: Chris Blaine (he/him) & Ben Blaine (he/him) – 15:32, UK
When Brian and Sammy, best friends since high school, meet up for their yearly Halloween night of trick or treating, Sammy needs to accept that growing up means the future of their friendship might look a little different for them.
I Would Like to Live on the Moon
Dir: Emily Burke (they/them/she/her) – 2:13, UK
A young non-binary person feels overwhelmed and wants to escape – literally, to the moon.
Claire and Nicola – Queer Notepad
Dir: Kim Angelica Head (she/her) – 2:49, UK
Queer Notepad is a new ongoing documentary project. It’s a celebration of queer love in all its forms in which two queer people who love each other reflect on their connection.
In this piece Nicola and Claire talk about their love for each other. Nicola discusses her experience growing up and how different it is for the children she is raising.
Breaking Taboos with Love
Dir: Akshay N Rao (he/him) – 53:31, India
A young non-binary person feels overwhelmed and wants to escape – literally, to the moon.
Sunday 18th & 25th
Safety State
Dir: Jeanette L. Buck (she/her) – 15:36, US
In the dystopian near future, a gay and a lesbian couple form an unlikely friendship as they flee the midwest for safety in New England.
Borrowed Time
Dir: Hannah Berry George (she/her) – 05:00, UK
Thanks to new technology, Liam is able to bring his dead Dad back to life for just five minutes and finally ask a very important question.
Normal
Dir: Lukasz Simon (they/them) – 8:56, Ireland
Created as part of the Irish Queer Archive’s 2024 exhibition “50 Years of Pride and Protest: the Irish LGBTQ+ Movement”, Caoimhghín Ó hEoghusa’s film ‘Normáilte’ explores the experience of growing up queer, and links it to the growth of the LGBTQ+ movement in Ireland over the last 50 years.
King Henry
Dir: Harry Faint (he/him) – 12:53, UK
Teachers at a Cornish secondary school are playing catch up to the 21st Century as two teens are elected prom king and king.
Hate
Dir: Emiliano Sisolfi (they/them) – 8:08, Italy
A teenager is questioning their gender identity and the relationship with their mother. They are looking for an answer from God itself.
I Love Every Atom of Your Body
Dir: Alejandro Lobo León (he/him) – 13:00, Spain
Cintia and Alegria, friends and classmates, are having a study session for Literature but, at 17, it’s hard to focus, especially when one of them has such important news.
M or F
Dir: Krissy Mahan (she/her) – 02:48, Us
A manatee enjoys exploring NYC on the subway system, until the state decides which of the two approved options it must take. A short exploration of administrative violence.
Maddie and Anna – Queer Notepad
Dir: Kim Angelica Head (she/her)– 04:17, UK
Queer Notepad is a new ongoing documentary project. It’s a celebration of queer love in all its forms in which two queer people who love each other reflect on their connection.
In this piece Anna shares her story of the imposter syndrome she has struggled with and the self acceptance she has now found as an older queer woman. Maddie explains why she sees Anna as such an inspiration.
Forever Flowers
Dir: Joe Solomon (he/him) – 13:00, UK
In a remote country house Lily and Rose are awaiting the arrival of their care-worker Dani and her boyfriend Bo for a farewell dinner. Dani and Bo are planning to rob the elderly couple during the meal. But these two old ladies are not what they seem…
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