Open Dialogues: Gen QueerZ
Broward / English / 19 min / Documentary / 2023
Open Dialogues: Gen QueerZ captures the LGBTQ+ narratives of eight South Florida students who are part of Generation Z. The fourth film in the Center’s Open Dialogues series, Gen QueerZ gives voice to students who are among the first generation to be “out” while attending school and living at home. Their stories reflect a diversity of gender identities, cultural backgrounds, and academic studies while exploring allyship, threats, and the dynamics of being out at home with family.
Open Dialogues is a two-time Suncoast Regional Emmy winner for Open Dialogues: Black Voices | Black Stories in 2023 and Queer Allies in 2024. Black Voices won a Silver Telly in 2023 and Queer Allies received a Gold Telly in 2024.
Director: Freddy Rodriguez
Writer: Jeff Rusnak
Producer(s): Jeff Rusnak, Joy Satterlee
Key Cast: Eric Martinez, Ja’na Nelson, Sofia Grajales, Ian Rodriguez, Kelsey Parente, Javier Gomez, Nathalie Saladrigas, Doriyan Caty
EMAIL: JRusnak@artandculturecenter.org
Website: https://www.artandculturecenter.org/open-dialogues-films/od4-gen-queer-z
Safety State
United States / English / 16 min / Drama, Comedy, LGBT / 2024
In the dystopian near future, a gay and a lesbian couple form an unlikely friendship as they flee the Midwest for safety in New England. As rights are being rolled back and travel bans are going into effect, Shay and Quincy decide to leave their home in Ohio and travel East to a safety state where it is safe and legal to be queer. They meet up with another couple, Jacob and Michael, so together they can pose as straight married couples. Quincy takes an instant dislike to her new “husband”, Jacob, as she resents depending on the men and pretending to be straight. As they face different threats on their journey, they form an unlikely friendship.
Director: Jeanette L. Buck
Writer: Rani Deighe Crowe, Jeanette L. Buck
Producer(s): Jeanette L. Buck, Bonnie Rae Brickman, Rani Deighe Crowe
Key Cast: Caitlin Lopez, Jane Reagan, Alan Tyson, Stephen Woosley
EMAIL: karani1100@yahoo.com
WEBSITE: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090783666750
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090783666750
The Space Between
United States / English / 20 min / Coming of Age, Comedy, LGBT / 2023
Two college students, who on the outside couldn’t be more different from each other, happen to meet at a party and form a deep connection where they find self-discovery, forgiveness and hope for the future.
Director: Luke Baker
Writer: Luke Baker
Producer(s): Amaya Moure, Luke Baker, Corey Grispo
Key Cast: Piper Verbrick, Sam Clifford, Riya Ramaswamy
EMAIL: lukebakermedia@gmail.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_space_between_film?igshid=YzAwZjE1ZTI0Zg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Barbette + Fontaine
United States / English / 16 min / Documentary, LGBT / 2023
A century apart, two drag icons unite through art, resilience, and a shared legacy of self-expression and freedom. Leading the cast is Cynthia Lee Fontaine of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Director: John-Carlos Estrada, Zak Zeh
Producer(s): John-Carlos Estrada, Zak Zek, Thomas Swafford
Key Cast: Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Kathryn Conrad
EMAIL: johncarlos.estrada@gmail.com
X: https://twitter.com/Mr_JCE
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/JohnCarlosEstradaCBSAustin/
INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/barbette.fontaine
The Survey
United States / English / 10 min / Comedy, LGBT / 2023
After months of disastrous dates, Caleb decides to process his failed love life the only way he can – cold, hard data.
Director: Sarah Cayce
Writer: Travis Monroe Neese, Katie O’Neill
Producer(s): Sarah Cayce, Katie O’Neill, Travis Monroe Neese, Gabriela Medina
Key Cast: Travis Monroe Neese, Katie O’Neill, Crystal Claros, Eustace Allen, Taylor Armstrong, Chad Bay, Keith Illidge, Will Truong
EMAIL: travismonroeneese@gmail.com
Website: https://www.pwmfilms.com/survey
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesurveyfilm
Red Rose Aroma
Albania / Albanian w/English Subtitles / 16 min / Romance, Drama, LGBT / 2023
When Era (Xhulia Musagalliu) travels to the beautiful Albanian Riviera in search of adventure, she quickly develops a connection to Fiori (Enxhi Cuku), an ambitious, local florist. Fiori and Era embark on a journey together, discovering the island and bonding over shared experiences. A passionate romance blossoms between them, just as Era’s vacation is coming to an end.
Director: Aurel Naqi
Writer: Aurel Naqi
Producer(s): Aurel Naqi
Key Cast: Enxhi Cuku, Xhulia Musagalliu, Jorgji Qeramixhi
EMAIL: naqiaurel@gmail.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/red_rose_aroma
