Inside Out, the producer of Canada’s queer-focused 2SLGBTQ+ movie pageant, has chosen eight tasks for its tenth Worldwide Movie Financing Discussion board, held in Toronto Might 28-29.
Introduced by Netflix, the discussion board will showcase the movies “Summer in Heat,” from Cannes alum Levan Akin; “Suffering is Optional,” from Pakistani Canadian Cannes alum Zarrar Khan and that includes “Ms. Marvel” star Iman Vellani; and “Little Phnom Penh,” the characteristic movie debut of Sundance quick movie juried winner Chheangkea.
The remaining lineup consists of Movie Unbiased Amplifier Fellow A. Sayeeda Moreno’s characteristic movie “Out in the Dunes,” govt produced by Gabrielle Union; “Jo & Frankie” from Tara Thorne; Nick Borenstein’s characteristic debut “August,” produced by Dan Bucatinsky; SXSW alum Andy Reid’s comedy “Pickups,” and household drama “Better Left Unsaid” from Alice Wang.
The chosen movie groups will meet with executives from Netflix, Orion Photos, Killer Movies, Unapologetic Tasks, Sphere Media, Little Walnut, Telefilm Canada, NFB, Elevation Photos and Mongrel Media, together with Photon, Parallax Movies, Shut Up & Color, GLAAD, and extra.
“When the Forum was founded 10 years ago, it was intended to support LGBTQ filmmakers in navigating the international sales and distribution landscape – where many had faced systemic barriers and discrimination while bringing their projects to market,” mentioned Jenna Dufton, Pageant Director. “In 2026’s political and economic climate, it feels even more vital to voice our commitment to getting independent queer films financed and distributed, and to provide this safe and intentional space in Toronto to launch these projects.”
Beneath, the total eight-project lineup.
“Summer in Heat”(Sweden/France/Germany/Denmark, Drama)
Dir. Levan Akin, Author Jordan Tannahill
Producers: Mathilde Dedye, Ludvig Andersson, Katja Adomeit, Xénia Maingot
Logline: A movie about longing and forbidden needs.
“Suffering is Optional” (Canada, Thriller)
Dir. Zarrar Kahn
Producers: Karen Harnisch, Anam Abbas, Lindsay Blair Goeldner,| Julie Groleau, Kaleem Aftab (EP)
Logline: Grappling with climate-catastrophe nightmares, a younger actress wins the lead function in her prestigious drama faculty’s adaptation of Hamlet – the place she meets a relentless director who pushes her to the boundaries of her will.
“August” (USA, Comedic Thriller)
Dir. Nick Borenstein
Producers: Sydney Foos, Dan Bucatinsky, Lindsay Blair Goeldner, Nick Borenstein
Logline: Jordan, a queer and neurotic younger man, has his life turned the wrong way up following the sudden demise of his beloved therapist. Unconvinced that her demise is unintentional, Jordan dives right into a full-blown investigation to resolve her mysterious disappearance.
“Better Left Unsaid” (Canada, Drama)
Dir. Alice Wang
Producers: Kathlyn Rose Gardiner, Enrique Baniqued (EP)
Logline: When an estranged daughter crashes her cousin’s lesbian wedding ceremony hoping it’s an indication she’s lastly welcome within the household, she discovers they’ve been hiding her father’s terminal sickness for months – forcing her to decide on between defending her cousin’s joyful day or destroying the reconciliation she’s been ready for.
“Out in the Dunes” (USA, Coming-of-Age Romance)
Dir. A. Sayeeda Moreno
Producers: Inuka Bacote-Capiga, Derek Nguyen, Gabrielle Union (EP)
Logline: Summer season 1992: On the eve of turning 21, Soledad, a heartbroken romantic, returns to Provincetown vowing to remain single – till a clandestine affair with Jules, a butch lesbian artist, cracks her huge open, creating ripples by way of her tight knit Afro-Latina/Black queer prolonged household, reaffirming her group’s energy.
“Little Phnom Penh” (Cambodia/France/USA, Drama)
Dir. Chheangkea
Producers: Karen Madar
Logline: Spanning twenty years and continents, from post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia to early 2000s California, Danet carries a lifetime of longing as a hopeful daughter, a uncared for spouse, a single immigrant mom in America—and the pull of an premature past love.
“Jo & Frankie” (Canada, Comedy)
Dir. Tara Thorne
Producers: Jenna MacMillan, Melani Wooden
Logline: Drawn collectively by curiosity, lust, and grief, Jo and Frankie think about their respective lives underneath the sunshine of the one they might have collectively.
“Pickups” (Canada/USA, Comedy)
Dir. Andy Reid
Producers: Lucy McNulty, Alison Almeida, Jason Beekman
Logline: A lonely man chasing validation takes a job as a faucet dance instructor and develops a fixation on the daddy of his favorite scholar.
