Films

ALIGNED - A NEW FILM by apollo bakopoulos STREAMING OCT 29

Queer Expression Film Fest: Celebrating New Queer Cinema

The Queer Expression Film Fest has proudly brought the Chicago premiere of many outstanding queer films, including Eismayer, The Summer with Carmen, Horseplay, Sebastian, and many more. We are committed to showcasing diverse stories that resonate with the LGBTQ+ community.

We are thrilled to announce the screening of Aligned, a remarkable new film written and directed by Apollo Bakopoulos, on Tuesday, October 29, at 7:00 PM at Facets. (Facets is at 1517 W Fullerton.)

In Aligned, two men from different worlds — one in Athens, the other in New York — discover that their connection transcends what they learn through their professional dance training. Though they share a cultural heritage, their lives are starkly different.

Alex's voyage from New York to Greece for a scholarship mirrors his feelings toward Aeneas—both foreign and familiar, comforting yet isolating. It’s a story of belonging, identity, and the unexpected ways we find connection.

Join us for this exciting premiere, followed by a special talk-back with Apollo Bakopoulos. Don’t miss this chance to engage with the filmmaker and delve deeper into the world of Aligned.

Written & Directed by

Apollo Bakopoulos

Starring
Dimitris Fritzelas, Panos Malakos, Mantalena Papadatou, Anna Magou, Theodoris Panas, Yannis Adoniou

meet aligned director Apollo Bakopoulos

ALIGNED is about being compassionate with the part of ourselves that always feels broken and not good enough, lovable, or worthy. These tendencies toward insecurity, negativity, and fear can sabotage our dreams. It is about reaching a point where we transform self-doubt into self-love, to overcome fear and judgment and embrace our human imperfections . - Apollo Bakopoulos

My hope is to inspire the younger generation, particularly the LGBTQ+ youth community, by providing healthy examples of intimacy. To help envision the possibility of creating intimacy and connection between two people and form an authentic emotional bond. Such representation is often lacking in popular media. Through the art of movement, we aim to instill a sense of freedom and possibility that can permeate all aspects of life and reignite the capacity to dream.

QUEER SHORTS BEST OF THE FEST Fall 2024 features 12 films!

Find photos, posters and trailers for QE BEST OF FEST.

QUEER EXPRESSION FILM FEST streams QE BEST OF THE FEST online October 2 to 30.

CHICAGO, IL — Open Space Arts is excited to announce QUEER EXPRESSION: BEST OF THE FEST, featuring an engaging selection of ten short films and two mid-length films, streaming online in October. This vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ stories is part of the broader QUEER EXPRESSION initiative, showcasing an array of innovative plays and films.

QE BEST OF FEST Fall Shorts will stream from October 2 to 15, presenting a diverse lineup of ten captivating short films. Following that, QE BEST OF FEST Fall Mid-Length Films will be available from October 16 to 29, featuring two remarkable mid-length films that delve into unique queer narratives.

Tickets for each program are just $12 and can be accessed from anywhere, allowing audiences to enjoy these compelling works from the comfort of their homes.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.openspacearts.org.

Join us this October to celebrate the creativity and resilience of LGBTQ+ filmmakers!

The short film program includes:

...and so it ends in a Tie, 6 minutes, USA, directed by Crystal Hou

A martial artist specializing in rope has a fated encounter that forces her to challenge her rigid ways.

BOYFRIENDS, 9 minutes, USA, directed by C.J. Arellano

Billy passionately welcomes home his long-absent boyfriend Kevin, but the heat of the night soon gives way to cold hard reality.

DADDY, 18 minutes, USA, directed by Kip Knight

A man traumatized by the lack of a relationship with his father seeks comfort from a self proclaimed "Daddy"

ELL, 11 minutes, USA, directed by Ash Kolodner and T Dumas

A young non-binary person struggles to decide whether or not to go on hormones after their insecurities are highlighted during a phone call with their insurance company.

I LOVE YOU ., 6 minutes, USA, directed by Dillon Morris

After accidentally saying ‘I love you’ for the first time over text, Annabelle goes into an anxiety clean while waiting for their partner to respond.

MR NGUYEN’S PROMISE, 15 minutes, USA, directed by Matthew James Alexander

When 17-year old Robby comes out to his mother, she kicks him out. Now homeless, Robby goes to his English teacher, Mr. Nguyen For safety. When Robby blames Mr. Nguyen for advising him to come out to his mom, Mr. Nguyen promises to take care of Robby. But a teacher's promise only goes so far.

PEHLI DATE, 14 minutes, India, directed by Sulagna Chatterjee

When 45-year old Aastha Goenka finally goes on her first date with 35-year-old Priya Malhotra, she's in for a day filled with conversations about heteronormativity, vulnerability, and second chances.

THE RANCH HANDS, 15 minutes, Mexico, directed by Juan Jesus Varela

It takes place in the 60s. The explicit love story of two cowboys, but due to the conventions of the time, their relationship has ups and downs.

TOUCH, 3 minutes, USA, directed by Lauren Miller

TOUCH is a 2D animated short film following two girls and the evolution of their relationship from their first meeting as children into young adulthood and budding romance. We experience this progression through memories, snapshots of shared moments and different instances of touch as the two girls grow and come into themselves along the way.

WALTER AND WENDY, 13 minutes, USA, directed by Jenna Bolena and, Casey Hoerman

A story of first loves, friendship, and fish. When Walter—an awkward teenage boy—meets Wendy—the unattainable girl of his dreams- he seeks the help of his best friend Nick.

QE BEST OF FEST Fall Mid-Length Films stream Oct 16 to 29 and includes two films.

175, United Kingdom, 22 minutes, Directed by Kasra Karimi

Inspired by true events. Rural England, early 2013. Ruth and Juliet are waiting for the British Parliament to legalize same-sex marriage so can get married. But Juliet suffers from a terminal illness and doesn't have long to live. They are racing against time.

VELIPĀDU-THE REVELATION 25 minutes, India, directed by Jijo Jessy Kuriakose

Against the sensory landscape of Kottayam, Johnny, a soon-to-be priest, must navigate his way out of his dissonant life towards self-discovery. The film reanimates Malayali gay desire through an expressionistic use of Christian music, intimate tastes and unabashed touches, while depicting delicate specifics of same-sex fondness. Resisting the popular narratives, the film discusses plural possibilities of romantic relationships. Interspersing semi-autobiography with fiction, Velipādu: "The Revelation" is a bitter-sweet rhapsody that sings of love and faith– both lost and regained like some Miltonic Paradise.

Access to each QE BEST OF THE FEST program is $12.00 for the streamed programs. Films are not geo blocked, and can be screened from anywhere.

QUEER EXPRESSION FILM AND THEATER FEST

What is the QUEER EXPRESSION Film and Theater Festival?

OSA's QUEER EXPRESSION (QE) program celebrates both films and plays, offering a diverse array of performances, in person screenings, and streaming on-line films throughout the year

QE Theater Fest 2024-25:

Running from September 13 to June, our theater season will include four full productions of plays, from cutting edge to classic. On occasion there are readings of new works, historic gay plays. The season of plays will be announced soon.

QE Film Fest:

This hybrid festival runs throughout the year has three components for both in-person and streaming events.

*QE Best of the Fest showcases brand-new films—shorts, mid-length, and features—on a quarterly basis - in programs that can be streamed from anywhere.

**QIS programs highlight acclaimed international shorts from film festivals around the globe. These streaming programs can be viewed from anywhere.

***Additionally, live screenings of new queer features are held at FACETS in Lincoln Park on the last Wednesday of each month from January through June.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

David Zak, Director

OSA FILM EVENTS - BOTH STREAMING ON LINE AND IN-PERSON

ALIGNED - A NEW FILM by apollo bakopoulos STREAMING OCT 29

meet aligned director Apollo Bakopoulos

BEST OF THE FEST - Fall 2024

QUEER SHORTS BEST OF THE FEST Fall 2024 features 12 films!

Stills from recent QE Film Fest events

QUEER EXPRESSION FILM AND THEATER FEST

We want to hear from you!

Join QUEER EXPRESSION as a volunteer, board member, or advisory board member!

OSA FILM EVENTS - BOTH STREAMING ON LINE AND IN-PERSON

ALIGNED - A NEW FILM by apollo bakopoulos STREAMING OCT 29

meet aligned director Apollo Bakopoulos

BEST OF THE FEST - Fall 2024

QUEER SHORTS BEST OF THE FEST Fall 2024 features 12 films!

Stills from recent QE Film Fest events

QUEER EXPRESSION FILM AND THEATER FEST

We want to hear from you!

Join QUEER EXPRESSION as a volunteer, board member, or advisory board member!

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