17 Movies To Watch Out For At The 2016 Sydney Mardi Gras Film Festival

Get in bed with Madonna, join the scrum, or wait two months for Beyoncé. There's something for everyone this year.

1. In Bed With Madonna

Miramax Films

What it's about: Celebrate the 25th anniversary of an iconic documentary under the stars with In Bed With Madonna, screening at the outdoor cinema on Sydney Harbour. The classic 1991 documentary follows the queen herself during her Blonde Ambition tour.

Watch the trailer here.

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2. Addicted to Fresno

Gravitas Ventures

What it's about: Starring Orange is the New Black's Natasha Lyonne, Aubrey Plaza, Molly Shannon, and Judy Greer, Addicted to Fresno follows Shannon (Greer), a narcissist dealing with sex addiction, and her lesbian sister Martha (Lyonne). While working at a motel, Shannon sleeps with and accidentally kills a guest. The sisters must work together to cover up the death and deal with a series of bizarre events following.

Watch the trailer here.

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3. Waiting for B

Videosfera

What it's about: Everyone loves Beyoncé, but these fans take things to a whole new level. In the documentary Waiting for B, a group of fans camp out for TWO MONTHS waiting for Beyoncé's 2013 concert in São Paulo, Brazil. Compared to the likes of cult classic doco Paris is Burning, Waiting for B showcases a unique group of fans, and the power music, celebrity, and Beyoncé has in making these individuals cope with homophobia, racism, and poverty within their community.

Watch the trailer here.

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4. Drag Becomes Him

Dual Power Productions

What it's about: Fans of RuPaul's Drag Race will recognise the name Jinkx Monsoon, and for those that don't, they soon will after this intimate glimpse into the life of Jinkx and the man behind the makeup, Jerick Hoffer.

Watch the trailer here.

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5. Remembering the Man

Waterbyrd Filmz

What it's about: The true story that inspired the play and feature film, Remembering the Man is a documentary that takes a look at the grim reality of the AIDS crisis, and one of the most iconic Australian love stories that flourished in spite of it. Drawing from the memoirs of Timothy Conigrave and the life he led with John Caleo, Remembering the Man also features interviews with friends and family of the pair.

Watch the trailer here.

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6. The Same Difference

StoweNash

What it's about: Focusing on the black lesbian and bisexual community in the United States, The Same Difference is a documentary that hones in on the lives of these queer women. Misogyny, homophobia, judgement, and the complexity of sex and gender roles are just some of the topics touched on in this candid but revealing film.

Watch the trailer here.

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7. Fire Song

Big Soul Productions

What it's about: One of the first films by a First Nations director exploring queer identities, Fire Song follows Shane, a young First Nations man living in an Anishinaabe community. Torn between staying in the community with his girlfriend Tara, and exploring the wider world with his secret boyfriend, Shane must choose to follow his heart, or his commitment to his family.

Watch the trailer here.

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8. Naz & Maalik

Wolfe Video

What it's about: Set within a single day in New York, Naz & Maalik follows two gay Muslim teens as they navigate the hectic city, and their newfound sexual chemistry that catches the eye of an FBI agent.

Watch the trailer here.

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9. Jeremy Scott: The People's Designer

Madman Films

What it's about: This documentary follows the ascent of a small town boy on his journey to becoming the go-to designer of some the world's most elite pop stars, Jeremy Scott. Featuring some of his notable clients like Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, A$AP Rocky, Rita Ora, and many more, Jeremy Scott: The People's Designer is a must-see for fashion lovers.

Watch the trailer here.

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10. Summer Storm

X Verleih AG

What it's about: The 2004 coming-of-age classic is back on the big screen for a limited time! A South German rowing team are training for a regatta, but when one of the boys, Tobi, begins to develop feelings for his teammate, things only become more complex when an all-gay rowing team from Berlin arrive on the scene.

Watch the trailer here.

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11. Scrum

Poppy Stockell Films

What it's about: Fans of footy (or footy shorts) shouldn't miss the encore screenings of Poppy Stockell's documentary that tells the story of the lead-up to the 2014 Bingham Cup, an international gay rugby tournament. As one of the world's premiere teams, the Sydney Convicts face pressure to win the competition and take home the Cup.

Watch the trailer here.

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12. Girls Lost

Götafilm

What it's about: When three Swedish teens, Momo, Bella, and Kim, drink the sap of a flower, they're given the chance to live in the bodies of cisgender men for the night. While Momo and Bella find confidence after being treated as men, Kim begins to realise he may have been a boy all along.

Watch the trailer here.

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13. Downriver

Rialto Distribution

What it's about: After being sent to jail for the murder of a young child when he was just a boy, James is released on parole. Still haunted by the actions of the past, James sets out on a mission to find the murdered boy's body. Reunited with his childhood friend Anthony, James is also thrust back into complicated matters of the past, and the heart.

Watch the trailer here.

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14. Chemsex

VICE Films

What it's about: This documentary from Britain takes an in-depth look at the lives of gay men who engage in "wired fun" or "chemsex". Following a group of men as they discuss openly about their experiences, Chemsex is a no-holds-barred look at the prevalent trend in London's gay scene.

Watch the trailer here.

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15. The Amina Profile

National Film Board

What it's about: The incredible true story of blogger Amina Abdallah Arraf al Omari, who rose to fame with her blog, "A Gay Girl in Damascus". After making international headlines, Amina became a reporting voice in the Syrian uprising until she went missing shortly after making a name for herself. With international communities rallying to track her down, things are not entirely as they previously seemed.

Watch the trailer here.

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16. Departure

Amaro Films

What it's about: Taking a break from her crumbling marraige, Beatrice and her son Elliott travel to their holiday house in the south of France. When Elliott meets the strikingly beautiful, brooding motorcycle repairman Clement, the two share an instant connection. As one relationship crumbles, another flourishes. Andre Steggall’s stunning film is not to be missed.

Watch the trailer here.

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17. Tchindas

Doble Banda

What it's about: This documentary takes place in the second most populated island of Cape Verde, as the leader of a crew of queer artists, Tchinda Adrande, begins preparations for a stunning Carnival. Tchinda, a transgender woman, is so engrained in Cape Verde that her name has become a term for all members of Cape Verde's queer community. An incredible celebration of an otherwise rarely discussed corner of the queer community, Tchindas is a must-see.

Watch the trailer here.

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