Welcome to Week 2 of my 4-week Pride 2021 Film Festival where I’m presenting LGBT short films. I’m posting a selection of films every Saturday this month. You can watch these on any device, but for full effect I suggest watching on a big screen desktop monitor or connecting to your TV.

Understanding

Today’s first film is certainly a short film — it runs just 3 minutes! It’s a commercial by Kodak that is simply outstanding. It won the Washington Reader’s award for Best Motion Ad of the Year in 2016.

The Language of Love

In the middle of a French exam, 17 year old Charlie struggles to find the words to be true to his best friend…and himself. This film won the Audience Award at My Queer Career, Sydney Mardi Gras, 2014. The Advocate said it “will melt your heart.” Ellen DeGeneres called it “amazing.”

Son of a Preacher Man

These next two videos are on the theme of reconnecting with loved ones. Both are very different in mood and style, but both are good.

Loving Martin

This touching film is based on a true story. As the thumbnail indicates its won a number of awards — all well-deserved. For this film, click on the image to watch directly on YouTube… but then y’all come back now, y’hear?

Coming Home

Straight A

I’ve watched this film several times and enjoy it for it’s portrayal of hope and love. Todd Lien, Writer and Executive Producer, wrote this description: “Struggling with maintaining his same-sex long term relationship a secret and keeping up with his image of being the perfect straight A son, Alex must face his father and tell him the truth about his sexuality.”

Hallelujah

Filmmaker Matthew Richardson describes his film this way: “Hallelujah is a queer/circus concept about religion and the importance of choosing kindness regardless of our differences or beliefs. Religion is a tough subject for many in the LGBTQ community, and this piece is a reflection of the struggle and rejection we often feel. It tells the story of an individual troubled by the hate in the world and his partner who is fighting to lift him up, to remind him he is beautiful exactly how he is. My message is that religion should inspire more kindness and open arms, even towards those you may not understand.

Goodbye, Charlie

This is a supernatural film in which a recently deceased gay teen roams his high school halls on the day of his memorial.. Written and directed by Nate Trinrud.

Starman from Heaven

First-time filmmaker Elliot Kershaw describes his film: “Eddie Queens is a talented singer/songwriter who struggles to come to terms with his future career as well as his sexuality. He lives in Brighton and with the help of local singer Harvey, he gains the confidence to peruse his career in music.” The music soundtrack is available on Spotify.

Title image is the YouTube thumbnail for Language of Love.

My Pride 2021 Film Festival is a 4-week series posting every Saturday through June. Click here for the complete series.

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A Note about Copyright: I do not own the rights to any video embedded on this page. None of these videos have been downloaded to my servers. Each streams from servers at YouTube. 

I’ve limited my selection here to videos where a person or entity directly associated with the production has posted it to YouTube, where sharing is enabled, and where Google has not blocked the video based on a copyright claim. I am taking this as implied permission. If I’m mistaken and someone wants their work removed from this blog, please submit the form on my Fine Print page. I will respond within 24 hours.

These videos are posted here strictly for visitors’ education and enjoyment, which is my sole benefit. This is a personal and non-commercial website — my hobby. I receive no monetary or other material remuneration.

My original narratives here are ©2016-2021 Robert C. Laycock. You can learn more on my Fine Print page and contact me from there.