Bret
As middle school is ending, Erin, the only out person in her grade, and Liz, fellow comic nerd and track star, find their friendship tested when Liz is accepted to private high school and Erin falls hard for new girl and ex child-star, Sydni. Erin believes the only way to save herself from certain doom next year is to ask Sydni to the big dance and get in with the popular kids, but the plan goes awry when she starts to lose Liz along the way. Erin’s Guide To Kissing Girls is a story of friendship, first loves, and deciding what’s important to you when everything is changing, all told through a queer lens.
Self
The Revue Cinema, which opened in 1912 and briefly closed down for ten months in 2006, is now the oldest cinema in Toronto. By transforming itself into a not-for-profit organization and building a solid connection with its community, the Revue Cinema provides an excellent example of how indie cinemas seek to provide much more than mere entertainment: they enrich the community and anchor its history. During the lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, Roy Zheng—documentary filmmaker and culture researcher—dove into Revue Cinema’s massive archive and virtually interviewed 34 observers of its ongoing legacy. This research culminated into a 50-minute linear documentary that explores Revue’s past, present and foreseeable future. Revue Cinema: Reel Communities will guide you into this 108-year journey. - ROY ZHENG
