Schedule of Events:

June 11, 2025

7:00pm: Jimmy at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Yashaddai Owens

A lyrical and impressionistic imagining of a young James Baldwin in Paris. Shooting in black-and-white on 16mm, first-time director Yashaddai Owens creates a wholly original portrait of cultural icon Baldwin (Benny O. Arthur), exploring the early life of a young, queer artist as he finds himself and his creative voice. With painterly compositions, a lush score, and great artistry, JIMMY impresses on every level—a beautiful film that lives up to the demands for a film about James Baldwin.

7:00pm: Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror at Town Hall:

Directed by Linus O'Brien

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is given a compelling and entertaining treatment by creator Richard O'Brien's son, director Linus O'Brien, who brings unique access and insights to this definitive history of this cult phenomenon. At its heart, the 1975 classic is a movie about conservative values versus transgression, an evergreen topic that is arguably a large reason for its continued relevance and popularity. A timely celebration of an iconic film that celebrates not only the film but its radical embracing of freaks and misfits everywhere, STRANGE JOURNEY features interviews with a host of the film's iconic original cast and crew members, including Lou Adler, Tim Curry, Barry Bostwick, and Susan Sarandon.

June 12, 2025

11:00am: Cactus Pears (Sabar Bonda) at Art House:

Directed by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade

Anand, a 30-something city dweller compelled to spend a 10-day mourning period for his father in the rugged countryside of western India, tenderly bonds with a local farmer struggling to stay unmarried. As the mourning ends, forcing his return, Anand must decide the fate of a relationship born under duress. In his artful and sensual feature debut, Kanawade creates a wholly original portrait of queer life among the rural and lower castes of India while depicting both Anand's longing and his bereavement with warm-heartedness and sincerity.

1:30pm: Come See Me in the Good Light at Art House:

Directed by Ryan White

Two poets, one incurable cancer diagnosis. Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley go on an unexpectedly funny and poignant journey through love, life, and mortality in Ryan White's remarkable new documentary. A captivating portrait of Gibson's artistic process, a stirring depiction of her harrowing health battle and an ode to her unique true love with partner Falley all in one, COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT is a life-affirming, heartstring-pulling masterpiece supported by a powerhouse team of executive producers including Tig Notaro, Abby Wambach, and Brandi Carlile.

8:30pm: Creede U.S.A. at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Kahane Corn Cooperman

In 1966 the small mining town of Creede, Colorado, built a theater to boost their flagging economy. While the theater lifted the town's bottom line, it also revealed tensions between the local residents and the new ideas and perspectives that came with the theater company, many of whom were queer and/or people of color. In CREEDE U.S.A., director Kahane Corn Cooperman uncovers a fascinating, and perhaps unlikely, microcosm of America's national divisions as neighbors struggle to live side-by-side in this isolated community with differing opinions and values. Includes footage and interviews with original company member Mandy Patinkin.

4:00pm: Everything Moves at Town Hall:

Directed by Michael Cestaro

EVERYTHING MOVES tells the remarkable story of renowned Provincetown painter Salvatore Del Deo as he reflects on his life, art, and the enduring bond he shared with his late wife, Josephine. Together, they played a pivotal role in preserving the town's iconic dunes, protecting them from the threat of developers. As Provincetown evolves, these dunes—long a source of inspiration for artists, writers, and musicians—remain a symbol of the creative spirit they both cherished. Through Salvatore's journey, Cape Cod-based director Michael Cestaro explores the passage of time in a changing town, celebrating the legacy of love, art, and preservation in a place deeply rich with history and heart.

6:30pm: Familiar Touch at Waters Edge 1:

Directed by Sarah Friedland

Sarah Friedland's insightful feature debut follows an octogenarian woman's transition to life in an assisted living facility as she contends with her conflicting relationship to herself and her caregivers amidst her shifting memory, age identity, and desires. The remarkable Kathleen Chalfant's sensitive central performance and Friedland's constant centering of Ruth's own experience and perspective as she adjusts to this disorienting new stage of life imbue this coming-of-(old)-age story with uncommon dignity. FAMILIAR TOUCH takes on a challenging subject and creates a film filled with love and compassion.

6:00pm: Heightened Scrutiny at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Sam Feder

In addition to the surge in anti-trans legislation that Chase Strangio battles in the courtroom, he must also fight against media bias, exposing how narratives in the press influence public perception amidst the fight for transgender rights. Director Sam Feder expands 2020's Disclosure's examination of the depiction of trans lives on screen in this blisteringly important new documentary. HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY wisely grounds its examination of complex and overwhelming issues by centering Massachusetts-raised ACLU lawyer Strangio, a hero for many in the LGBTQ+ community, as he prepares to participate in historic litigation that will take him all the way to the Supreme Court.

12:00pm: Jimpa at Town Hall:

Directed by Sophie Hyde

Hannah takes her nonbinary teenager, Frances, to Amsterdam to visit their gay grandfather, Jim—lovingly known as Jimpa. But Frances' desire to stay abroad with Jimpa for a year means Hannah is forced to reconsider her beliefs about parenting and finally confront old stories about the past.  Olivia Colman, John Lithgow and Aud Mason-Hyde display impressive, natural chemistry as a thoroughly unconventional modern family. Sophie Hyde's (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande) loving, insightful examination of intergenerational tensions within the LGBTQ+ community, also serves as a spirited tribute to the resilience and joy of that community.

12:00pm: Move Ya Body: The Birth of House at Art House:

Directed by Elegance Bratton

PIFF alum Elegance Bratton assembles a mix of interviews with house music pioneers and forgotten innovators, many of them queer and Black, along with impressive archival footage to create a definitive history of house music and a pivotal cultural period. From its beginnings in Chicago through its march to global domination, Bratton reclaims the narrative of this genre and, in a bigger sense, asks compelling questions about who gets credit—and compensation—for culture in America. Featuring interviews with Celeste Alexander, Lady D, Kevin Aviance, and Lena Waithe.

12:00: Plainclothes at Town Hall:

Directed by Carmen Emmi

Set in upstate New York in 1997, a young police officer named Lucas (Tom Blyth) is working undercover to entice gay men into illicit interactions by luring them into a shopping mall bathroom. When Lucas finds himself drawn to a handsome target named Andrew (Russell Tovey), he ultimately defies his professional orders and soon begins to unravel under the pressure of keeping his true self a secret. First-time director Carmen Emmi deftly explores a risky and forbidden existence for a young man in uniform in this taut, dramatic story of hidden desire.

12:30pm: Queerpanorama at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Jun Li

In a broken city, a gay man impersonates men he has had sex with and brings this new persona with him to his next hook-up. Only by pretending to be someone else can he be truly himself.  A series of erotic interludes (exquisitely shot in black-and-white) take various forms and tones, but come together to assert the underlying beauty and vulnerability of hook-up culture in Jun Li's striking third feature. QUEERPANORAMA offers a highly intimate, naturalistic exploration of the meaning of desire amidst one character's journey of self-discovery.

10:30am: Sally at Town Hall:

Directed by Cristina Costantini

Sally Ride became the first American woman to blast off into space, but beneath her unflappable composure was a secret. Sally's life partner, Tam O'Shaughnessy, reveals their hidden romance and the sacrifices that accompanied their 27 years together. The story of a trailblazing woman fighting for respect in a male-dominated world combines with a beautiful heretofore largely unknown love story in director Cristina Costantini's (Science Fair, Mucho Mucho Amor) nuanced portrait of the incredible Sally Ride, detailing both her personal experiences and professional accomplishments with care.

8:30: Sauna at Fishermen Hall:

Directed by Mathias Broe

Johan is living his best young gay life in Copenhagen. Working at a steamy bathhouse, boarding at his boss' apartment, and enjoying bars and parties, his life is centered around sex and sexuality. This all changes when he meets William, a transgender man, and falls deeply in love—but without the experience and language to navigate something more than a casual fling. With great sensitivity to both Johan and William's life experiences, director Mathias Broe has crafted a complex and sexy story of two young people as they both take their first tentative steps toward the lives they want to live.

10:30: Seeds at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Brittany Shyne

SEEDS is a deeply moving and powerful exploration of three Black generational farmers in the American South, creating an intimate portrait of farming today. Deploying a visually striking observational approach, and utilizing rich black-and-white cinematography, filmmaker Brittany Shyne showcases these farmers' lives, joys, and struggles, as well as the fragility of legacy land ownership. Black farmers owned 16 million acres of land in 1910, but today, that number has dwindled to a mere fraction of the original. Through these stories, we see the cycles of inequity and embedded racism that persist to this day, and the signs of hope and renewal with younger generations of farmers.

11:00am: Sisters at Waters Edge 1:

Directed by Susie Yankou

Lou (Susie Yankou) and Esther (Sarah Khasrovi) are codependent best friends who often fantasize what their lives would have been like had they grown up with a sister. When Lou's father unexpectedly passes away, she discovers that she has a very real, and very cool, half-sister, Priya. As Lou begins to explore her relationship with Priya, her and Esther's found family bliss is rudely interrupted, creating a rift between them. As the rift threatens to grow beyond repair, Lou must learn to redefine what family is, or risk losing Esther for good.

1:30pm: Sorry, Baby at Waters Edge 1:

Directed by Eva Victor

Something bad happened to Agnes. But life goes on… for everyone around her, at least.  In an aching and tender debut feature, writer-director-star Eva Victor displays a tremendous specificity of voice, depicting graduate student-turned-professor Agnes with sensitivity and emotional clarity both before and after her colossal, life-interrupting trauma. The Massachusetts-shot SORRY, BABY premiered at Sundance Film Festival before screening in Cannes as the Closing Night selection of Directors Fortnight, a rare achievement that speaks to the biting, funny and fragile film's deep emotional power.

9:00pm: The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Art House:

Directed by Jim Sharman

Since the film first opened in 1975, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW is the longest running theatrical release in film history. For half a century, audiences have flocked to theaters late at night to watch the young and naive couple Brad and Janet have their minds blown by Dr. Frank-n-Furter and his merry band of partiers at his castle. This wildly campy romp is a timeless good time that resonates more now than ever—so grab a friend, come sing along… and "let's do the Time Warp again!"

June 13, 2025

6:00pm: Cactus Pears (Sabar Bonda) Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade

Anand, a 30-something city dweller compelled to spend a 10-day mourning period for his father in the rugged countryside of western India, tenderly bonds with a local farmer struggling to stay unmarried. As the mourning ends, forcing his return, Anand must decide the fate of a relationship born under duress. In his artful and sensual feature debut, Kanawade creates a wholly original portrait of queer life among the rural and lower castes of India while depicting both Anand's longing and his bereavement with warm-heartedness and sincerity.

1:00pm: Creede U.S.A. at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Kahane Corn Cooperman

In 1966 the small mining town of Creede, Colorado, built a theater to boost their flagging economy. While the theater lifted the town's bottom line, it also revealed tensions between the local residents and the new ideas and perspectives that came with the theater company, many of whom were queer and/or people of color. In CREEDE U.S.A., director Kahane Corn Cooperman uncovers a fascinating, and perhaps unlikely, microcosm of America's national divisions as neighbors struggle to live side-by-side in this isolated community with differing opinions and values. Includes footage and interviews with original company member Mandy Patinkin.

9:00pm: Dreaming of Lions at Waters Edge 1:

Directed by Paolo Marinou-Blanco

With unmistakable allusions to Harold and Maude, DREAMING OF LIONS is, of all things, a thoroughly original tragicomedy about euthanasia and assisted suicide. In a tour-de-force performance, Brazilian actress Denise Fraga anchors the film as Gilda, a woman who seeks out the help of an underground organization that helps the terminally ill kill themselves painlessly and peacefully. At group meetings, she bonds with the much younger Amandeu (Joao Nunes Monteiro). When they discover secrets about the organization, they escape to Mallorca to die, falling in love along the way.

11:00am: Dreams (Sex Love) at Waters Edge 1:

Directed by Dag Johan Haugererud

At 17, Johanne falls in love for the first time with her female teacher. Wanting to preserve her intimate feelings, she documents her newfound emotions and experiences in writing. When her mother and grandmother read what she has written, they are initially shocked by its intimate content but soon see that it has literary potential. As they debate whether to publish it, Johanne navigates the gap between her romantic fantasy and reality, and all three women confront their differing views on love, sexuality, and self-discovery in this delicately drawn story. DREAMS is the final installment of director Dag Johan Haugerud's trilogy SEX-LOVE-DREAMS.

6:30pm: Enigma at Waters Edge 1:

Directed by Zackary Drucker

Emmy Award®-nominated director Zackary Drucker (The Stroll, PIFF 2023) returns with a fascinating exploration of two world-class performance legends and trans pioneers, April Ashley and Amanda Lear, who navigated public scrutiny of their identities in contrasting ways. April Ashley was immortalized as a trailblazer by embracing her transgender history, while Amanda Lear has consciously denied and obfuscated her personal history for decades. Their divergent paths reveal disparate but intertwined legacies in this revealing look at a vital piece of trans history of cabaret performers in Europe in the 1950s, while boldly highlighting their longstanding existence, which still resonates today.

6:30pm: Everything Moves at Art House:

Directed by Michael Cestaro

EVERYTHING MOVES tells the remarkable story of renowned Provincetown painter Salvatore Del Deo as he reflects on his life, art, and the enduring bond he shared with his late wife, Josephine. Together, they played a pivotal role in preserving the town's iconic dunes, protecting them from the threat of developers. As Provincetown evolves, these dunes—long a source of inspiration for artists, writers, and musicians—remain a symbol of the creative spirit they both cherished. Through Salvatore's journey, Cape Cod-based director Michael Cestaro explores the passage of time in a changing town, celebrating the legacy of love, art, and preservation in a place deeply rich with history and heart.

4:00pm: Forever Home at Waters Edge 1:

Directed by Allison Argo

In North Carolina, two dreamers are transforming animal care through groundbreaking architecture. Their sanctuary, Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge, portrays rescued animals in a new light—from goats who thrive in vertical spaces to chickens whose house opens with the sun. As they build a new home for rescued cows, FOREVER HOME unveils a vision for how we can see and care for the animals most people overlook. Through masterful storytelling and endearing animal and human characters, director Allison Argo (The Last Pig, PIFF 2017) invites us to reimagine our relationship with farm animals, showing us who they truly are when they're allowed to simply be themselves.

1:30pm: Fucktoys at Waters Edge 1:

Directed by Annapurna Sriram

Channeling her inner John Waters, director Annapurna Sriram takes no prisoners in guiding audiences through the seedy underbelly of "Trashtown" as her character (known only as AP) seeks to break a curse, under which multiple psychics have told her she's been long-suffering. As AP follows this quest, she stumbles upon a variety of characters and absurd situations, each one crazier than the last. With FUCKTOYS, Sriram announces herself as a confident, exciting, and brave new voice in cinema. Featuring Big Freedia, Sadie Scott, Francois Arnaud and Damian Young.

6:30pm: Hurricanna at Town Hall:

Directed by Francesca Gregorini

In the hours surrounding a glamorous appearance at a championship boxing match in Hollywood, Florida, supermodel Anna Nicole Smith (played by Sylvia Hoeks), her psychiatrist (Holly Hunter), and her lawyer and lover (Mark Duplass) form a disastrous trio descending towards chaos. Mired in addiction and devastated by her son's death, Anna is in the midst of a costly custody battle for her baby daughter. Filmmaker Francesca Gregorini (Tanner Hall) explores the intense final days of the hurricane-like force that was Anna Nicole Smith, and the fateful string of events that led Anna to make an agonizing choice for her daughter's best future.

9:00pm: It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley at Art House:

Directed by Amy Berg

Singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley had an outsized impact on the culture despite having only released one album before his tragic death at age 30. Known for his incredible vocal range and groundbreaking 1994 album Grace, Buckley became an icon before his untimely death in 1997. Never-before-seen footage, exclusive voice messages, and firsthand accounts from Jeff Buckley's inner circle paint a captivating portrait of the gifted musician. Veteran filmmaker Amy Berg (Deliver Us From Evil, West of Memphis) has crafted an emotional portrait of the life and legacy of a complex and beloved artist, allowing us to see the deeper side of the man behind the legend.

8:30: Jimmy at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Yashaddai Owens

A lyrical and impressionistic imagining of a young James Baldwin in Paris. Shooting in black-and-white on 16mm, first-time director Yashaddai Owens creates a wholly original portrait of cultural icon Baldwin (Benny O. Arthur), exploring the early life of a young, queer artist as he finds himself and his creative voice. With painterly compositions, a lush score, and great artistry, JIMMY impresses on every level—a beautiful film that lives up to the demands for a film about James Baldwin.

4:00pm: Love Birdsa at Waters Edge 1:

Directed by Angel Morris and Elliot Kennerson

Following their breakthrough discovery of homosexuality in seagulls in 1972, George Hunt and Molly Warner tell the story of how "lesbian seagulls" changed the landscape of both the field of science and the LGBTQ+ movement in America.

11:00am: Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore at Town Hall:

Directed by Shoshannah Stern

In 1987, Marlee Matlin became the first Deaf actor to win an Academy Award and was thrust into the spotlight at 21 years old. Reflecting on her life in her primary language of American Sign Language, Marlee explores the complexities of what it means to be a trailblazer. Shoshannah Stern's intimate and loving feature directorial debut weaves together Matlin's first-person account with interviews from those who know her best.  MARLEE MATLIN: NOT ALONE ANYMORE reimagines traditional documentary storytelling, creating an immersive experience embodying Matlin's tireless fight for inclusion and representation.

4:00pm: Messy at Town Hall:

Directed by Alexi Wasser

Stella Fox (Alexi Wasser) is an admitted love addict, moving from one disappointing romantic relationship to another over the course of a summer. Evoking the best of Woody Allen's comedies, in Wassner's hands we are treated to a wildly imperfect and utterly captivating lead character who sees and interacts with the world in a way that is all her own. Funny, surprising, charming and sexy, Wassner's directorial debut embraces true individuality and celebrates life and love's fantastic messiness. A John Waters "Best Movies" pick for 2024.

9:00pm: Queens of the Dead at Town Hall:

Directed by Tina Romero

On what should be a fun night at a Brooklyn warehouse party, an outbreak of flesh-eating zombies forces a ragtag group of drag queens and partiers to band together and somehow survive the night. Tina Romero's delightfully campy horror comedy is chock full of thrills, glamour and fun. Katy O'Brian (Love Lies Bleeding), Jaquel Spivey (of the Broadway musical A Strange Loop), and drag star Nina West lead a cast full of familiar faces in an absolute romp that pays homage to Romero's father's famous horror legacy while striking out into her own feminine, queer, club-infused cinematic ground.

1:30pm: River Gallo at Town Hall:

River Gallo (they/them) is a GLAAD Award-winning filmmaker, actor, writer, model, and intersex rights activist whose groundbreaking work is redefining queer representation in cinema.

Gallo wrote, produced, and starred in PONYBOI, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and won NewFest's Grand Jury Award. Their performance as a young intersex sex worker on the run from the mob earned them the Best Performance Award at the Torino Film Festival. Marking a historic first, PONYBOI is the first narrative feature film created by and starring an intersex person in an intersex role.

They were also the subject of the critically-acclaimed feature documentary EVERY BODY from Academy Award-nominated director Julie Cohen. Prior to their feature debut, River starred in multiple short films, a stage production of King Lear at the Annenberg Theater in Los Angeles, as well as an episode of the Hulu series Love, Victor.

3:30: Saints and Warriors at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Patrick Shannon

SAINTS AND WARRIORS tells the epic and inspiring story of a legendary village basketball team in the Indigenous Nation of Haida Gwaii in northwest Canada and their deep historical and cultural roots with the sport. Throughout the course of one season of iconic "rez ball," the Skidegate Saints compete for two titles—defending their All Native Basketball Championship while battling for the title to their land and waters with the government that stole it from them via the Indian Act of 1876. Indigenous first-time director Patrick Shannon showcases the stunning role that "a silly game of putting the ball in the hoop" plays in Haida Gwaii as a tool for political action, community leadership, and the survival of culture.

June 14, 2025

Ari Aster

Ari Aster is an acclaimed director, screenwriter and producer. His most recent film, Eddington, starring Pedro Pascal, Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone, recently premiered in competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. After graduating from the AFI Conservatory in 2010, Aster first garnered shock and acclaim with the short film The Strange Thing about the Johnsons (2011). He then moved on to write and direct a string of bold, visionary feature films known for blending unsettling horror spectacle with the dark humor of his unique cinematic voice. Those films, produced and distributed by A24, include Hereditary (2018)— at the time A24's highest grossing release and nominated for Best First Feature at that year's Film Independent Spirit Awards—Midsommar (2019), and Beau is Afraid (2023).

In addition to writing and directing his own feature films, Aster also produces and executive produces, along with producing partner Lars Knudsen, for some of the most distinctive filmmaking voices of our time, including Kristoffer Borgli, Yorgos Lanthimos, and David and Nathan Zellner, via their production company Square Peg.

Ari Aster will be in conversation with filmmaker and icon John Waters

11:00am: Come See Me in the Good Light at Waters Edge 1:

Directed by Ryan White

Two poets, one incurable cancer diagnosis. Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley go on an unexpectedly funny and poignant journey through love, life, and mortality in Ryan White's remarkable new documentary. A captivating portrait of Gibson's artistic process, a stirring depiction of her harrowing health battle and an ode to her unique true love with partner Falley all in one, COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT is a life-affirming, heartstring-pulling masterpiece supported by a powerhouse team of executive producers including Tig Notaro, Abby Wambach, and Brandi Carlile.

6:00pm: Dreaming of Lions at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Paolo Marinou-Blanco

With unmistakable allusions to Harold and Maude, DREAMING OF LIONS is, of all things, a thoroughly original tragicomedy about euthanasia and assisted suicide. In a tour-de-force performance, Brazilian actress Denise Fraga anchors the film as Gilda, a woman who seeks out the help of an underground organization that helps the terminally ill kill themselves painlessly and peacefully. At group meetings, she bonds with the much younger Amandeu (Joao Nunes Monteiro). When they discover secrets about the organization, they escape to Mallorca to die, falling in love along the way.

4:00pm: Dreams (Sex Love) at Waters Edge 1:

Directed by Dag Johan Haugererud

At 17, Johanne falls in love for the first time with her female teacher. Wanting to preserve her intimate feelings, she documents her newfound emotions and experiences in writing. When her mother and grandmother read what she has written, they are initially shocked by its intimate content but soon see that it has literary potential. As they debate whether to publish it, Johanne navigates the gap between her romantic fantasy and reality, and all three women confront their differing views on love, sexuality, and self-discovery in this delicately drawn story. DREAMS is the final installment of director Dag Johan Haugerud's trilogy SEX-LOVE-DREAMS.

1:30pm: East of Wall at Art House:

Directed by Kate Beecroft

Following the death of her husband, Tabatha, a young, tattooed and rebellious horse trainer wrestles with financial insecurity and unresolved grief while providing a safe refuge for her children as well as for a group of wayward teenagers on her ranch in the Badlands. Her teenage daughter Porshia, a TikTok star and rodeo queen, spends her days speeding across the plains on horseback faster than her mom in her pickup truck.

First-time director Kate Beecroft spent three years in South Dakota embedded with the community and the Zimiga family, with each playing themselves in this uniquely hybrid film. The result is a gorgeously conceived and unforgettably immersive experience.

1:00pm: Eva Victor at Fishermen Hall:

Eva Victor (they/she) is a writer-director and actor whose fearless, character-forward comedic sensibility has cemented them as an undeniable triple threat to watch. Their feature directorial debut SORRY, BABY premiered to high acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival. The film, which Victor also wrote and stars in alongside Naomi Ackie and Lucas Hedges, was produced by Barry Jenkins, and won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award, with the jury praising its "stunning honesty [and] moving sense of humor." A24 will release the film in the fall.

Prior to SORRY, BABY, Victor cut their teeth in the comedy sphere, achieving significant success with myriad viral videos. They have written for The New Yorker and Reductress, serving as an associate editor and staff writer at the latter. As an actor, Victor has appeared in several roles, most notably as Rian in the final three seasons of Showtime's Billions.

4:00pm: Familiar Touch at Art House:

Directed by Sarah Friedland

Sarah Friedland's insightful feature debut follows an octogenarian woman's transition to life in an assisted living facility as she contends with her conflicting relationship to herself and her caregivers amidst her shifting memory, age identity, and desires. The remarkable Kathleen Chalfant's sensitive central performance and Friedland's constant centering of Ruth's own experience and perspective as she adjusts to this disorienting new stage of life imbue this coming-of-(old)-age story with uncommon dignity. FAMILIAR TOUCH takes on a challenging subject and creates a film filled with love and compassion.

9:00pm: Fucktoys at Art House:

Directed by Annapurna Sriram

Channeling her inner John Waters, director Annapurna Sriram takes no prisoners in guiding audiences through the seedy underbelly of "Trashtown" as her character (known only as AP) seeks to break a curse, under which multiple psychics have told her she's been long-suffering. As AP follows this quest, she stumbles upon a variety of characters and absurd situations, each one crazier than the last. With FUCKTOYS, Sriram announces herself as a confident, exciting, and brave new voice in cinema. Featuring Big Freedia, Sadie Scott, Francois Arnaud and Damian Young.

10:30am: Heightened Scrutiny at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Sam Feder

In addition to the surge in anti-trans legislation that Chase Strangio battles in the courtroom, he must also fight against media bias, exposing how narratives in the press influence public perception amidst the fight for transgender rights. Director Sam Feder expands 2020's Disclosure's examination of the depiction of trans lives on screen in this blisteringly important new documentary. HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY wisely grounds its examination of complex and overwhelming issues by centering Massachusetts-raised ACLU lawyer Strangio, a hero for many in the LGBTQ+ community, as he prepares to participate in historic litigation that will take him all the way to the Supreme Court.

6:30pm: It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley at Waters Edge 1:

Directed by Amy Berg

Singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley had an outsized impact on the culture despite having only released one album before his tragic death at age 30. Known for his incredible vocal range and groundbreaking 1994 album Grace, Buckley became an icon before his untimely death in 1997. Never-before-seen footage, exclusive voice messages, and firsthand accounts from Jeff Buckley's inner circle paint a captivating portrait of the gifted musician. Veteran filmmaker Amy Berg (Deliver Us From Evil, West of Memphis) has crafted an emotional portrait of the life and legacy of a complex and beloved artist, allowing us to see the deeper side of the man behind the legend.

9:00pm: Jimpa at Town Hall:

Directed by Sophie Hyde

Hannah takes her nonbinary teenager, Frances, to Amsterdam to visit their gay grandfather, Jim—lovingly known as Jimpa. But Frances' desire to stay abroad with Jimpa for a year means Hannah is forced to reconsider her beliefs about parenting and finally confront old stories about the past.  Olivia Colman, John Lithgow and Aud Mason-Hyde display impressive, natural chemistry as a thoroughly unconventional modern family. Sophie Hyde's (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande) loving, insightful examination of intergenerational tensions within the LGBTQ+ community, also serves as a spirited tribute to the resilience and joy of that community.

9:00pm: Kerouac's Road: The Beat of a Nation at Waters Edge 1:

Directed by Ebs Burnough

KEROUAC'S ROAD: THE BEAT OF A NATION explores how Jack Kerouac's iconic novel On the Road resonates in today's America. The film highlights the legacy of the book and Kerouac's complex identity, acknowledging how his fluid relationships and emotional bonds with both men and women helped shape his writing and worldview.  Director Ebs Burnough intertwines stories of modern-day "on-the-roaders" with artists Kerouac in?uenced and friends who knew and loved him. In an era de?ned by screens and constant connectivity, we can still learn from Kerouac's journey and what it means to engage in real time with the world around us.

8:30pm: Move Ya Body: The Birth of House at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Elegance Bratton

PIFF alum Elegance Bratton assembles a mix of interviews with house music pioneers and forgotten innovators, many of them queer and Black, along with impressive archival footage to create a definitive history of house music and a pivotal cultural period. From its beginnings in Chicago through its march to global domination, Bratton reclaims the narrative of this genre and, in a bigger sense, asks compelling questions about who gets credit—and compensation—for culture in America. Featuring interviews with Celeste Alexander, Lady D, Kevin Aviance, and Lena Waithe.

11:00am: My Mom Jayne at Art House:

Directed by Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay was just three years old when her mother, Jayne Mansfield, died tragically in a car accident at the age of 34. MY MOM JAYNE follows Mariska as she seeks to know, understand, and embrace her superstar mother for the first time. Through intimate interviews with family members, and a collection of never-before-seen photos and home movies, Hargitay grapples with her mother's public and private legacy and discovers the layers and depth of who Jayne was, not only to her audience but to those who were closest to her. The result is both a reclaiming of her mother's story and an emotional search for her own truth.

11:00am: Oh, Hi!  Town Hall:

Directed by Sophie Brooks

Iris and Isaac's first romantic weekend getaway goes awry in this romantic dark comedy of miscommunication and mismatched expectations. Basking in the magnetically charged opposites-attract chemistry between Iris (Molly Gordon) and Isaac (Logan Lerman), writer-director Sophie Brooks maintains a sense of cheeky, off-kilter whimsy and twisted humor as the couple's inability to read one another leads to an escalating series of potentially perilous misunderstandings. Gordon (The Bear, Theater Camp), who also co-wrote the story and produces, continues to make a name for herself as one of the most exciting performers and creators of her generation.

1:00pm: Plainclothes at Town Hall

Directed by Carmen Emmi

Set in upstate New York in 1997, a young police officer named Lucas (Tom Blyth) is working undercover to entice gay men into illicit interactions by luring them into a shopping mall bathroom. When Lucas finds himself drawn to a handsome target named Andrew (Russell Tovey), he ultimately defies his professional orders and soon begins to unravel under the pressure of keeping his true self a secret. First-time director Carmen Emmi deftly explores a risky and forbidden existence for a young man in uniform in this taut, dramatic story of hidden desire.

1:00pm: Queerpanorama at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Jun Li

In a broken city, a gay man impersonates men he has had sex with and brings this new persona with him to his next hook-up. Only by pretending to be someone else can he be truly himself.  A series of erotic interludes (exquisitely shot in black-and-white) take various forms and tones, but come together to assert the underlying beauty and vulnerability of hook-up culture in Jun Li's striking third feature. QUEERPANORAMA offers a highly intimate, naturalistic exploration of the meaning of desire amidst one character's journey of self-discovery.

1:30pm: Sally at Waters Edge 1:

Directed by Cristina Costantini

Sally Ride became the first American woman to blast off into space, but beneath her unflappable composure was a secret. Sally's life partner, Tam O'Shaughnessy, reveals their hidden romance and the sacrifices that accompanied their 27 years together. The story of a trailblazing woman fighting for respect in a male-dominated world combines with a beautiful heretofore largely unknown love story in director Cristina Costantini's (Science Fair, Mucho Mucho Amor) nuanced portrait of the incredible Sally Ride, detailing both her personal experiences and professional accomplishments with care.

3:30pm: Seeds at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Brittany Shyne

SEEDS is a deeply moving and powerful exploration of three Black generational farmers in the American South, creating an intimate portrait of farming today. Deploying a visually striking observational approach, and utilizing rich black-and-white cinematography, filmmaker Brittany Shyne showcases these farmers' lives, joys, and struggles, as well as the fragility of legacy land ownership. Black farmers owned 16 million acres of land in 1910, but today, that number has dwindled to a mere fraction of the original. Through these stories, we see the cycles of inequity and embedded racism that persist to this day, and the signs of hope and renewal with younger generations of farmers.

1:00pm: Sorry, Baby at Fishermen Hall:

Directed by Eva Victor

Something bad happened to Agnes. But life goes on… for everyone around her, at least.  In an aching and tender debut feature, writer-director-star Eva Victor displays a tremendous specificity of voice, depicting graduate student-turned-professor Agnes with sensitivity and emotional clarity both before and after her colossal, life-interrupting trauma. The Massachusetts-shot SORRY, BABY premiered at Sundance Film Festival before screening in Cannes as the Closing Night selection of Directors Fortnight, a rare achievement that speaks to the biting, funny and fragile film's deep emotional power.

6:30pm: The Baltimorons at Art House:

Directed by Jay Duplass

After cracking a tooth on Christmas Eve, newly sober ex-improv artist Cliff (Michael Strassner) has to find a dentist that will see him during the holiday. He stumbles upon Didi (Tony Award® nominee Liz Larsen), who is willing to treat him, and from there they begin an unexpected adventure crisscrossing Baltimore together. Director/writer Jay Duplass (The Puffy Chair), in his solo feature directorial debut, and lead actor/writer Michael Strassner have crafted a charming May-December Christmas story grounded with laughs and a real connection between the unlikely pair over the course of one very memorable night.

6:30pm: Twinless at Town Hall:

Directed by James Sweeney

Two young men meet in a twin bereavement support group and form an unlikely bromance in writer-director-star James Sweeney's funny and daring second feature. Dylan O'Brien (also a star of PIFF 2025 film PONYBOI) delivers a bravura turn as wildly different twins—the irresistible queer charmer Rocky and macho, dim Roman—amidst Sweeney's lonely, codependent character Dennis's growing fixation on both brothers. TWINLESS is a sexy, twist-filled pitch-black psychosexual comedy that marks the arrival of a bold and inventive new triple-threat filmmaking voice.

June, 15 2025

11:00am: Are We Good? at Town Hall:

Directed by Steven Feinartz

Beloved comedian and groundbreaking podcast host Marc Maron reluctantly pulls back the curtain on his everyday life as he pushes to maintain a successful stand-up career while grappling with the sudden and devastating loss of his partner, filmmaker Lynn Shelton. ARE WE GOOD? follows his self-reflective journey as he works to build a new comedy hour, all while processing his grief both on stage and off. Chronicling his career from the '80s through today, filmmaker Steven Feinartz weaves current interviews with his close friends and comedy peers reflecting on Marc Maron's distinct brand of perceptive humor and unique outlook on life.

Eva Victor

Eva Victor (they/she) is a writer-director and actor whose fearless, character-forward comedic sensibility has cemented them as an undeniable triple threat to watch. Their feature directorial debut SORRY, BABY premiered to high acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival. The film, which Victor also wrote and stars in alongside Naomi Ackie and Lucas Hedges, was produced by Barry Jenkins, and won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award, with the jury praising its "stunning honesty [and] moving sense of humor." A24 will release the film in the fall.

Prior to SORRY, BABY, Victor cut their teeth in the comedy sphere, achieving significant success with myriad viral videos. They have written for The New Yorker and Reductress, serving as an associate editor and staff writer at the latter. As an actor, Victor has appeared in several roles, most notably as Rian in the final three seasons of Showtime's Billions.

1:30: Folktales at Fishermen Hall:

Directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady

On the precipice of adulthood, teenagers converge at a traditional folk high school in Arctic Norway. Dropped at the edge of the world, they must rely on only themselves, one another, and a loyal pack of sled dogs as they all grow in unexpected directions. Modern documentary masters Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (Jesus Camp, Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You) transport us into the world of these teens and their unforgettable canine companions. FOLKTALES is a vibrant, intimate film that beautifully captures its subjects' life-changing experiences.

3:30pm: Forever Home at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Allison Argo

In North Carolina, two dreamers are transforming animal care through groundbreaking architecture. Their sanctuary, Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge, portrays rescued animals in a new light—from goats who thrive in vertical spaces to chickens whose house opens with the sun. As they build a new home for rescued cows, FOREVER HOME unveils a vision for how we can see and care for the animals most people overlook. Through masterful storytelling and endearing animal and human characters, director Allison Argo (The Last Pig, PIFF 2017) invites us to reimagine our relationship with farm animals, showing us who they truly are when they're allowed to simply be themselves.

4:pm: John Waters Presents: Pink Narcissus at Art House:

Directed by James Bidgood

An extremely handsome, self-involved, brooding young man escapes the realities of his street life through a series of fantasies of incredible beauty. Obsessed with his own perfection, he lives in a dreamworld of fantastic colors, magnificent music, elaborate costumes, and strikingly handsome males. But reality constantly intrudes through the depraved lives of the other street people, through the harsh and ugly sounds outside, and through the visits of his "johns." His narcissistic enchantment with his own beauty and lifestyle is marred by one great fear—aging and the loss of his youth and good looks.

3:30pm: Love Birds at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Angel Morris and Elliot Kennerson

Following their breakthrough discovery of homosexuality in seagulls in 1972, George Hunt and Molly Warner tell the story of how "lesbian seagulls" changed the landscape of both the field of science and the LGBTQ+ movement in America.

4:00pm: Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore at Waters Edge 1

Directed by Shoshannah Stern

In 1987, Marlee Matlin became the first Deaf actor to win an Academy Award and was thrust into the spotlight at 21 years old. Reflecting on her life in her primary language of American Sign Language, Marlee explores the complexities of what it means to be a trailblazer. Shoshannah Stern's intimate and loving feature directorial debut weaves together Matlin's first-person account with interviews from those who know her best.  MARLEE MATLIN: NOT ALONE ANYMORE reimagines traditional documentary storytelling, creating an immersive experience embodying Matlin's tireless fight for inclusion and representation.

11:00am: Messy at Waters Edge 1:

Directed by Alexi Wasser

Stella Fox (Alexi Wasser) is an admitted love addict, moving from one disappointing romantic relationship to another over the course of a summer. Evoking the best of Woody Allen's comedies, in Wassner's hands we are treated to a wildly imperfect and utterly captivating lead character who sees and interacts with the world in a way that is all her own. Funny, surprising, charming and sexy, Wassner's directorial debut embraces true individuality and celebrates life and love's fantastic messiness. A John Waters "Best Movies" pick for 2024.

6:30pm: My Mom Jayne at Waters Edge 1:

Directed by Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay was just three years old when her mother, Jayne Mansfield, died tragically in a car accident at the age of 34. MY MOM JAYNE follows Mariska as she seeks to know, understand, and embrace her superstar mother for the first time. Through intimate interviews with family members, and a collection of never-before-seen photos and home movies, Hargitay grapples with her mother's public and private legacy and discovers the layers and depth of who Jayne was, not only to her audience but to those who were closest to her. The result is both a reclaiming of her mother's story and an emotional search for her own truth.

10:30am: Saints and Warriors at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Patrick Shannon

SAINTS AND WARRIORS tells the epic and inspiring story of a legendary village basketball team in the Indigenous Nation of Haida Gwaii in northwest Canada and their deep historical and cultural roots with the sport. Throughout the course of one season of iconic "rez ball," the Skidegate Saints compete for two titles—defending their All Native Basketball Championship while battling for the title to their land and waters with the government that stole it from them via the Indian Act of 1876. Indigenous first-time director Patrick Shannon showcases the stunning role that "a silly game of putting the ball in the hoop" plays in Haida Gwaii as a tool for political action, community leadership, and the survival of culture.

6:30pm: Sauna at Art House:

Directed by Mathias Broe

Johan is living his best young gay life in Copenhagen. Working at a steamy bathhouse, boarding at his boss' apartment, and enjoying bars and parties, his life is centered around sex and sexuality. This all changes when he meets William, a transgender man, and falls deeply in love—but without the experience and language to navigate something more than a casual fling. With great sensitivity to both Johan and William's life experiences, director Mathias Broe has crafted a complex and sexy story of two young people as they both take their first tentative steps toward the lives they want to live.

6:00pm: Sisters at Waters Edge 2:

Directed by Susie Yankou

Lou (Susie Yankou) and Esther (Sarah Khasrovi) are codependent best friends who often fantasize what their lives would have been like had they grown up with a sister. When Lou's father unexpectedly passes away, she discovers that she has a very real, and very cool, half-sister, Priya. As Lou begins to explore her relationship with Priya, her and Esther's found family bliss is rudely interrupted, creating a rift between them. As the rift threatens to grow beyond repair, Lou must learn to redefine what family is, or risk losing Esther for good.

6:30pm: Spiritus: No Business Like Dough Business at Town Hall:

Directed by Michael Koehler

Highlighting the rich history of one of the oldest and beloved family-run businesses in Provincetown—Spiritus Pizza is a local gem and iconic late-night gathering spot. Featuring homespun interviews with owner John Yingling and many former employees, SPIRITUS explores the challenges faced by the business, the queer community and the AIDS crisis, all against the backdrop of changing attitudes in the town during the 1970s and '80s. Since its founding in 1971, and through the ensuing decades, Spiritus has remained a vibrant epicenter of activity, resilience, and deeply-rooted history in Provincetown—as well as a slice of pizza heaven!

4:00pm: Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror at Town Hall:

Directed by Linus O'Brien

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is given a compelling and entertaining treatment by creator Richard O'Brien's son, director Linus O'Brien, who brings unique access and insights to this definitive history of this cult phenomenon. At its heart, the 1975 classic is a movie about conservative values versus transgression, an evergreen topic that is arguably a large reason for its continued relevance and popularity. A timely celebration of an iconic film that celebrates not only the film but its radical embracing of freaks and misfits everywhere, STRANGE JOURNEY features interviews with a host of the film's iconic original cast and crew members, including Lou Adler, Tim Curry, Barry Bostwick, and Susan Sarandon.

1:30pm: The Baltimorons at Art House:

Directed by Jay Duplass

After cracking a tooth on Christmas Eve, newly sober ex-improv artist Cliff (Michael Strassner) has to find a dentist that will see him during the holiday. He stumbles upon Didi (Tony Award® nominee Liz Larsen), who is willing to treat him, and from there they begin an unexpected adventure crisscrossing Baltimore together. Director/writer Jay Duplass (The Puffy Chair), in his solo feature directorial debut, and lead actor/writer Michael Strassner have crafted a charming May-December Christmas story grounded with laughs and a real connection between the unlikely pair over the course of one very memorable night.

1:30: Operation Taco Gary's at Town Hall:

Directed by Michael Kvamme

As blissfully normal Luke (Schitt's Creek's Dustin Milligan) prepares for a new job in Ottawa, Canada, his life is upended by an unexpected visit from his estranged, conspiracy theorist brother Danny (Simon Rex), who may or may not be off his meds. What ensues is a madcap, cross-country road trip that challenges the brothers' relationship and their grip on reality. With supporting turns by Brenda Song (The Last Showgirl), Doug Jones (The Shape of Water), and Jason Biggs (as himself)—along with aliens and a fast food chain that might just save us all.

11:00am: Queens of the Dead at Art House:

Directed by Tina Romero

On what should be a fun night at a Brooklyn warehouse party, an outbreak of flesh-eating zombies forces a ragtag group of drag queens and partiers to band together and somehow survive the night. Tina Romero's delightfully campy horror comedy is chock full of thrills, glamour and fun. Katy O'Brian (Love Lies Bleeding), Jaquel Spivey (of the Broadway musical A Strange Loop), and drag star Nina West lead a cast full of familiar faces in an absolute romp that pays homage to Romero's father's famous horror legacy while striking out into her own feminine, queer, club-infused cinematic ground.

Click here to buy tickets

Date: June 11 - 15, 2025

Location: Various Venue in Provincetown

Click here for more information