Cine Pride Film Festival

CinePride Film Festival is proud to announce the 31 films officially selected for its highly anticipated inaugural edition, taking place in Los Angeles from September 11–14. The four-day celebration of queer cinema will make its debut at Landmark Theatres Sunset in Los Angeles, presenting a powerful lineup that reflects the richness, resilience, and diversity of the global LGBTQIA+ community.

This year’s official selection features a dynamic mix of feature-length narratives, documentaries, and shorts spanning a wide range of genres, including drama, comedy, romance, thriller, and experimental film. Six films will make their world premieres at CinePride, with an additional four celebrating their U.S. or North American debuts. Ten more will be screened for the first time on the West Coast. Showcasing both international voices and emerging homegrown talent, CinePride 2025 provides a bold and inclusive platform for queer storytellers to share their visions on the big screen. 

“We are thrilled at the response of the global LGBTQIA+ community of film makers who submitted for CinePride's inaugural edition,” says Cecilio Asuncion, Executive Director of CinePride Film Festival. “Thisyear's selections are excellent and is a strong testament that LGBTQIA+ voices and stories from around the world will not be erased! We can't wait to welcome audiences to celebrate these incredible stories with us in LA this September.”

Highlights from the 2025 official selection include:

• Queer Bait – A precocious classics student is invited to dinner after he piques the interest of a tenured professor. But when his teacher's mentorship starts to push boundaries, he's forced to make a choice: protect his academic future, or preserve his dignity?  The tense drama executive produced by Cate Blanchett makes its film festival debut at CinePride.

• Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-shero – an animated musical fantasy featuring the voices of Jinkx Monsoon, BenDeLaCrème, Heide N Closet, Monét X Change and Rosé.  When drag queens start disappearing, a shy young barista must summon his inner super-shero to rescue them from an ambitious evil drag queen bent on harvesting their magical anti-aging tears. CinePride marks the first time this fun animated feature will be screened theatrically in Los Angeles

• A Life Inside Me – Set in rural South Asia, this captivating drama tells the story of a terminally ill father who wishes to live his final days as his true self — a woman — and his daughter who is trapped in an abusive marriage. The U.S. premiere of this groundbreaking Indian film will happen at CinePride.

• And You Are…? – Jane Seymour stars in And You Are...?, a most unlikely of buddy films that follows Lynn, a grandmother suffering from Alzheimer's who only has the past to prove she exists. Her grandson Max, desperately wants to erase his past as it never proved his true existence.  Already winning acclaim on the international festival circuit, the film makes it Hollywood premiere at CinePride!

• Lip Sync Assassin - Sampaguita, a fabulous drag queen moonlights as a hired killer to earn extra money and provide a good life for her talented daughter and sickly mother. Just when she thought she could handle any contract killing mission, her new target tests how far she can go to support her loved ones.  The thrilling Filipino short film makes its World Premiere at CinePride!  

Screenings will be enhanced by workshops, filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, and a Director’s Brunch. Additionally, CinePride Film Festival will present awards in categories including Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Lead Performance, Best Director, and the Trailblazer Award. The coveted Audience Choice Award will be decided by festival goers.

“CinePride isn’t just a film festival; it’s a movement that belongs in Los Angeles, the epicenter of the film industry,” declares Programming Director Miguel Santos. “It’s about creating space for globally resonant queer stories that challenge conventions, defy genre, and deserve to be seen in theaters. We’re setting the stage for the next generation of storytellers who will redefine what’s possible in film.”

For the full list of films selected for CinePride Film Festival 2025, go to: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZqWrp15eM6nRH9yDXN6PI9btloAmDr3WfJe0yo04N-8/edit?tab=t.0

For more information, visit CinePride.org and follow @CinePrideFilmFest on social media.   

Memorial Day

Not Tanning
Elle Fanning

It's Memorial Day, thus I am assuming most of you are enjoying a three day weekend. That means an extra day for fun in the sun and all that jazz. 

Well nothing says fun in the sun like being at Cannes during the Film Festival. Witness actress Elle Fanning enjoying the sun, but "not tanning," as she puts it on the shores of Cannes.

Elle never disappoints on the red carpet, she always slays in her choice of fashion. Well it looks like she can add swimwear to that section of her resume now as well. Seriously how many celebrities have you seen looking this stylish in a bikini? Yeah, I thought so.

This makes me want to pack my bags and hit the French shore next year, hey you never know what life has in store for you, that could happen, or not.

Have terrific Memorial Day no matter what it is you are doing.

Ciao! 

Elle on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ellefanning/?hl=en  

"Sorceress" In St. Petersburg, Russia

Filmmaker
Naama Kates

This just in from Entertain Me favorite and friend Naama Kates. The indie film she wrote, directed and starred in Sorceress is headed to a Film Festival in Russia, here is the 411 from Ms. Kates herself: 

"Wheeee! Just got word "Sorceress" is an Official Selection of the White Nights Film Festival in Russia's amazing city of St. Petersburg, from April 17th-20th, just a couple weeks away!"

http://whitenightsfestival.top/en/about 

You go Naama! Nobody does it better than  you! 

While your at it why don't you do yourself a favor and saunter over to Amazon and let Sorceress put a spell on  you. If you love indie film like I do, you'll be glad you did.

Hit the Amazon link at:

https://www.amazon.com/Sorceress-Naama-Kates/dp/B06XBDZBG9/ref=pd_ybh_a_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QXHAZNZXQWMY6VNQHY6F

Sundance Romance: Ellen Page

Love Birds
Samantha Thomas & Ellen Page

"Hello young lovers, whoever you are, 
I hope your troubles are few. 
All my good wishes go with you tonight, 
I've been in love like you." - The King and I

Sundance is quite the film going experience. It can also be a place where love flourishes, especially when your lover's gone.

Case in point, one Ms. Ellen Page. Despite the fact that her girlfriend, artist Samantha Thomas, was M.I.A. by her side at this year's film festival, apparently things are still rocking and rolling with the couple.

"She's home working," Ellen spilled at her dramedy Tallulah. "I wish she could be here."

Is the Ellen and Samantha train still on track: "Absolutely" Page states.

Page's secret to the long lasting relationship? "She's awesome and we have so much fun together," she said. "We love each other and support each other. It's the best."

Can I get an awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww? Of course I can!

Ellen on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0680983/?ref_=nv_sr_2