Good things can sometimes come in small packages. Shorts often pack more entertainment, artistic vision, and powerful ideas into their limited running time than some features accomplish in an hour and a half.

This type of programming allows a greater opportunity for us to bring new and emerging talent to our audience, as many feature directors (including Kareem Mortimer, director of our Opening Night film, Children of God) were first seen at Reeling in our shorts programs. We have a lot of great shorts programs this year, including two written and directed by actor James Franco (in the Love is a Battlefield program). Check them out below!

Friday, November 5th - 7:15 PM - Landmark

The Men in the Mirror

Forced to choose between the life you want and the life you have, there are never any easy options. So, when fate hurries the decision, the results can be messy. Five short films explore the resulting conflict when the person you are doesn't match the person the mirror reflects.

306 (Elliot London, USA, 2009):

Eric's lover thinks that he works at a bar, but the truth about his late-night shifts are a closely guarded secret.

Truth or Dare (Mikko Kuparinen, Finland, 2008):

A husband cannot bring himself to leave his wife for the man he truly loves.

Caught (Monte Patterson, USA, 2010):

Set in the 1950s, police secretly film gay activity in a public bathroom as evidence to arrest homosexuals.

The Wolf Child (Das Wolfskind) (Roberto Anjari-Rossi, Germany, 2009):

A father's choice to be openly gay takes him away from his son.

Triple Standard (Branden Blinn, USA, 2010):

A man wants a relationship, but doesn't want to be known as gay. He is ultimately forced to either confront his fears or lose his love forever.

Friday, November 5th - 9:45 PM - Landmark

Glitter & Guts

Being fabulous takes real grit. In a world that has a limited definition of what it means to be a man, it's not always easy to be true to yourself. These films provide an amusing look at the ups and downs of letting your freak flag fly-or the awkward and hilarious mess of trying to hide it!

Heart of the Matter (Tom Lenk, USA, 2008):

Husband and wife marriage counseling team, Terry and Sheila, demonstrate how to strengthen marital vows and sexual intimacy, while noticeably in complete denial of their own sexual qualms.

Slut the Musical (Tonnette Stanford, Australia, 2010):

An outrageous musical story of one boy's triumph over his fear of telling his peers about his sexuality.

Get Out! Of the Closet! (Travis Johns, USA, 2010):

A reality TV parody about a host who travels the country liberating every Closet Case she spots, and she's usually right! Usually.

Drama Queenz (Dane Joseph, USA, 2010):

A comedy about three actors and roommates living in Queens dealing with life, love and auditioning in New York City.

Gayby (Jonathan Lisecki, USA, 2010):

Two single friends decide to make a baby, the cheapest way possible: the old-fashioned way. But since the guy is a gay, hilarious awkwardness ensues.

Go Go Reject (Michael Saul, USA, 2010):

A skinny, naive go-go dancer meets with unexpected rejection when he attempts to fulfill his childhood Flashdance fantasy.

Saturday, November 6th - 3:30 PM - Landmark

Hens and Chicks (showing with Over the Moon)

Sweet and funny, this coming-of-age story plays with the universal questions we ask ourselves as parents, children, and human beings.

Sunday, November 7th - 1:15 PM - Landmark

Love is a Battlefield

Life is an uphill battle, love is a battlefield. The violence, unrequited love, or even simply the boredom of life, can become overwhelming. This dramatic program features two short films written and directed by actor James Franco.

Green Line (Germain Collinge M�nard, Canada, 2010):

A glance with a stranger, a lingering moment of "what if?"

The Clerk's Tale (James Franco, USA, 2010):

As another day nears its end, a department store clerk goes through the motions.

Small-Time Revolutionary (Miikka Leskinen, Finland/United Kingdom, 2010):

England, 1988: A young revolutionary finds himself caught between two opposing worlds and needs to decide whether to keep up appearances or stand up for who he is.

The Feast of Stephen (James Franco, USA, 2009):

Stephen's fantasies turn dangerous when the objects of his lust notice his attentions.

To the Marriage of True Minds (Andrew Steggall, United Kingdom, 2010):

Two young men have escaped persecution in Baghdad. Now separated in the United Kingdom, their reunion is dependent upon the remembrance of a sonnet by Shakespeare and a paper boat...

Evolution (Brian Patterson, USA, 2009):

As a couple grows in different directions, they both need to find a way to evolve together.

Little Love (Quentin Lee, USA, 2010):

When desires for the future become entangled, friendships-and a relationship-are torn apart among a group of friends.

Last Call (Nick Corporon, USA, 2009):

In the afterlife, a regretful man revisits the mistakes of a lost relationship and, when given a second chance, must face the reality that his love may be better off without him.

Sunday, November 7th - 3:15 PM - Landmark

NU2 (Showing with Mother Earth)

The story of an artist, his muse, his wife, and the fiction that dictates their reality together.

Sunday, November 7th - 5:30 PM - Landmark

Young & Sapphic

Life is fun and full of drama for the beautiful lesbians in this program. Cute, sweet, humorous and romantic, these short films feature some of the funniest and most awkward situations imaginable...and they'll still make you want to fall in love.

Two Beds (Kanako Wynkoop, USA, 2010):

A couple discusses an open relationship-one willing and the other against.

Public Relations (Gianna Sobol, USA, 2009):

Two women have known each other for two years, but only through telephone conversations. What will happen when they meet?

Hers. Theirs. Ours. (Aaron Greer, USA, 2010):

First dates are always rough, and this one (told from three perspectives), is no exception. When biological clocks, interracial tensions and friends' opinions are all part of the equation, does the new relationship have any hope of surviving?

30 is the new 12 (Shari Greicar, USA, 2010):
A woman with an eclectic view turns thirty and confronts something she's suspected for a long time.

Cried Suicide (Lauren Palmigiano, USA, 2009):

A woman fakes a suicide to attract attention from her ex and elicit sympathy from her hysterical friends.

Sunday, November 7th - 7:30 PM - Landmark

Fighting for "I Do"

As more and more nations all over the globe embrace marriage equality, many efforts for progress in the U.S. are still met with staunch resistance. The pain, frustration and unfairness of this struggle, as well as the love and joy that drive the fight, are the unifying themes of this program.

The License (Keith Hartman, USA, 2009):

Satirical and biting, this film brings to light the traditional values found in the Bible and illustrates the absurdity of old practices.

Johnny & Lyman: A Life Together (Paul Detwiler, USA, 2010):

After years together, Johnny and Lyman finally head to the courthouse to make their relationship a marriage.

Believe It (Chris Scherer, Australia, 2009):

Thought provoking and artistic, this film is a visually entertaining and intellectually stimulating open dialogue on religious faith and gay sexuality, expressed through choreography.

Our Wedding (Marka Maberry-Gaulke, USA, 2010):

This doc follows the marriage of two adult women who have formed a life together with their twin daughters.

Never Too Late (Wendy Weinberg, USA, 2009):

After 25 years together, two middle-aged hotel maids in San Francisco decide it's finally time to marry. Then along comes Prop 8. What to do?

Heartland Transport (Cody Stokes, USA, 2009):

Seventeen gay and lesbian couples define marriage equality as they take a chartered bus from St. Louis to Iowa City to be legally married.

The Love Permit (Christopher Ludgate, USA, 2010):

A man applies for a "love permit" and discovers he does not qualify in this dark and frustrating illustration of the absurd guidelines on who can love whom.

Yes Man (Grant Reed, USA, 2010):

A gay man's employer is dedicated to passing Prop 8 and he finds himself cast in their commercial demonizing the very people he identifies with.

The Defenders (Keith Hartman, USA, 2009):

A satirical look at how Bible-beaters could use the gay marriage ban as an excuse to go after every other marriage that doesn't fit into their ideas of "tradition."

Monday, November 8th - 7:15 PM - Landmark

Her Beautiful Disaster

Love is not always the fairytale we imagined it to be as children. Instead of white horses, far away castles and magical kisses, there are confusions, complications and disasters. At times, the mess can overwhelm and destroy love but, when the love is strong, the thorny times only make it stronger.

Three Minutes (Jenn Garrison, USA, 2009):

Emerging from the rubble of their war-ravaged city, two lovers join together to celebrate the human spirit and the hope of a better tomorrow.

One Night (Laura Jean Cronin, USA, 2009):

Looking for love on the dance floor, a shy softball player's night turns into a nightmare she'll never forget.

Hammerhead (Sam Donovan, United Kingdom, 2008):

A young boy questions the concept of family as his mother leaves his father for her girlfriend who works at an aquarium.

Guignol (Dana Turken, USA, 2009):

The line between love and violence is blurred when Renata, the magnetic doyenne of a Grand Guignol theater company, forces Mila, her disgruntled star, to participate in her own usurpation.

Birthday (Jenifer Malmqvist, Poland/Sweden, 2010):

As Sarah tries to make her wife Katarina's 40th birthday the perfect celebration, Katarina reveals a secret that makes it difficult for Sarah to celebrate.

Monday, November 8th - 9:15 PM - Landmark

Goodbye My Lover

Sometimes goodbye is forever and sometimes it's just for now. Sometimes it creates a wound that will take a lifetime to heal, and sometimes it becomes a liberating experience. Whatever the circumstances, saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy.

The Best Is Yet to Come (Eunice Wu, USA, 2009):

A young lesbian couple struggles as one partner wants to get married and the other, suspecting her traditional Chinese mother will not understand, remains in the closet.

Don't Ask, I Won't Tell (April Wilson, USA, 2010):

Two women see their relationship begin to dissolve when one partner receives a deployment letter from the army.

Time Spent (Puppet, USA, 2010):

Two friends try to move past one of their attempted suicides. Sometimes, the lesson learned is when to walk away.

Tracks (Deana Williams, USA, 2010):

An 18-year-old runaway begins a romantic lesbian relationship with a headstrong 15-year-old, which threatens to tear the very fabric of both their worlds.

Bye Bi Love (Giovanna Chesler, USA, 2010):

A woman receives a wedding invitation to her ex-girlfriend's hetero nuptials, officiated by her very own ex-husband. In deciding whether or not to attend, she must face the reality of both past relationships.

Tuesday, November 9th - 9:15 PM - Landmark

Fantasy Man

Tall, short, muscular, rich, artistic, blonde, dark...everyone has an idea about what that special guy is going to look like, how he'll act, the way he'll live. Sometimes Mr. Right only exists in your imagination, sometimes he's right in front of your face, and sometimes, if you're lucky, a special connection develops from unexpected places.

Who Would You? (Todd Eric Valcourt, USA, 2009):

A wife wonders which of her friends her husband finds attractive.

GaySharkTank.com (Guy Shalem, USA, 2010):

This candid and hilarious comedy follows 25 strangers looking for love, lust, and a good time, on a new popular chat website.

Masala Mama (Michael Kam, Singapore, 2010):

After stealing a comic book, a young boy finds an unlikely friend in the Indian shop owner whose comic he stole.

Waiting 4 Goliath (Cal Garingan, Canada, 2009):

Running into an ex is awkward. Running into an ex while a guy you met on the internet is standing you up is down right humiliating.

DROP (Kristin Waterson, Canada, 2010):

On the last night of summer and during the biggest rave of the season, three friends discover the strength of their bond.

Rubdown (Dennis Hensley, USA, 2010):

A man goes undercover to spy on a sexy masseur who may be violating company policy.

Bedfellows (Pierre Stefanos, USA, 2010):

Upon meeting and spending the night with an attractive stranger, a man dreams about what a lifetime relationship with him could be like...but what will happen in the light of morning?

Friday, November 12th - 7:00 PM - Chicago Filmmakers

Nobody Passes Perfectly (showing with Other Nature)

A subtle, humorous and insightful documentary that explores a world where gender is not a fixed and locked identity, but one only rooted in biology and a very personal part of oneself that can be challenged or changed.

Saturday, November 13th - 12:00 PM - Columbia College, Film Row Cinema

Our Gender Identities

In a world where bathroom doors only acknowledge a dual gender system, what about those that don't conform to the binary? The characters in these short docs and narratives all break imposed gender boundaries, giving hope for a future where lines of sex and gender are recognized to be as fluid as they truly are.

Spiral Transition (Ewan Duarte, USA, 2010):

A mother's perspective changes as she learns to accept her child as her son, not her daughter.

The Crossing (Fran�ois Tessier, France, 2009):

Every day, a young woman boards a river cruise boat to gaze at the gruff captain; and when she learns that he's leaving, it becomes urgent that she expresses her feelings.

Everyday to Stay (Chase Ryan Joynt, Canada, 2010):

A gritty and vulnerable glimpse into the lives of two couples as they navigate love, identity and commitment through one partner's gender transition.

Remember Me in Red (Hector Ceballos, USA, 2010):

When a transwoman dies, her friends must figure out how to honor her when she is buried as a man by the parents who never knew about her transition.

I'm Just Anneke (Jonathan Skurnik, Canada, 2010):

Parents learn how to support their young child as she develops her gender identity, and accept her freedom to identify herself in any way she sees fit.

Amateur (Daniel Trevi�o, USA, 2009):

While floating on a lake, a boy meets a girl going through some changes. He must decide if the new friendship is worth the confusing circumstances.

Saturday, November 13th - 1:45 PM - Columbia College, Film Row Cinema

Destination: Unknown

This foreign language program is filled with star-crossed lovers, all dealing with a love they feel is forbidden. Every character deals with it in his own way-either rejecting it as impossible, or fighting to hold onto it as something rare and significant.

Suspect (Suspeito) (Eduardo Mattos, Brazil, 2009):

Pedro is always in the library. There he meets Diego, his cousin's friend, who unveils something that Pedro did not suspect.

Little (Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, Philippines, 2009):

A young man prepares to go to the city with his secret lover and, although he leaves his father behind, he can't seem to let go of his past.

Voulez Vous Coucher Avec Moi (Yelena Remetin, France, 2010):

As a young man falls in love with a prostitute, he learns of the pain and danger that comes with loss.

Professor Godoy (Gui Ashcar, Brazil, 2009):

Expressions of interest from a student make a teacher wary about breaking the rules, yet still fill him with longing.

Saturday, November 13th - 5:15 PM - Chicago Filmmakers

Across Lesbian Borders

This international program features women from all over the globe entering new phases of their lives and exploring relationships they'd once considered foreign. From a posthumously-repaired mother/daughter relationship to a guerilla graffiti artist romancing a beautiful police officer, these newly forged paths in life are the least certain and the most exciting.

Vellas (Carlos Prado Pamp�n, Spain, 2009):

Love, passion and sex are not exclusively for the young. This is the story of a forbidden love between two women in their golden years in a small Spanish countryside village.

After Lunch (Depois do Almo�o) (Rodrigo Diaz Diaz, Brazil, 2009):

While their husbands are busy with football, two wives share their fiery dreams with each other while locked away in a dark closet.

Hyacinthus Lullaby (Pizmon LaYakinton) (Na'ama Landau, Israel, 2009):

When a downtrodden daughter's cold and distant mother dies prematurely, she makes one last attempt at reconciliation.

Lady Pochoir (Petra Clever, Germany, 2010):

Bike courier by day, graffiti artist by night, Yv decorates the walls of her dreary city-but her life becomes complicated by the competing interests of an art publisher and a policewoman.

Saturday, November 13th - 6:45 PM - Columbia College, Film Row Cinema

Chained! (Showing with The Owls)

A look at the history of the pocket chain, and the trend's perpetual popularity amongst the lesbian community.