10 WAYS TO SURVIVE A PANDEMIC
ONLINE ONLY
In a year that saw countless productions grind to a halt, these films used these constraints to create work uniquely indicative of this time: Zoom meet-cutes, COVID-safe glory holes, and an angelic reminder that despite constant impending doom, there are still reasons to hope, create, and tell stories.
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HOW TO HAVE SEX IN A PANDEMIC
Michael Leibenluft; 2021; USA; 9 min.
This first episode in an ongoing documentary web series explores how the sex-positive activists of the 1980s provided a blueprint for how to reinvent safer-sex practices during the early months of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
BEAT 97
Washington Calegari; 2021; Brazil; 12 min.; in Portuguese with English subtitles
Alvaro has been quarantined for 97 days without leaving home, leading to lustful fantasies set to original beatbox compositions.
DREAMER
Stephanie Osuna-Hernandez; 2021; USA; 9 min.; in English and Spanish with English subtitles
In this vlog, Fran yearns to leave his small Texas town and pursue his dream of becoming a famous YouTuber in LA. But what are the consequences of being true to oneself?
DISCONNECTED: THE MUSICAL
Dickie Hearts; 2021; USA; 20 min.; in English and American Sign Language with English subtitles
Innovative editing complements this musical short about a deaf man navigating dating, friendships, stalking, and Zoom during lockdown.
REASONS TO STAY
Shaina Rose Woolley & Ezra Li; 2021; USA; 5 min.
Stuck in a world where the news is constantly getting worse, Jian needs a little help remembering a reason to stay. Featuring a hot angel and glorious production design, this short will remind you to love the little things.
UNDERWATER PHONE SEX
Gabriella Arrastia; 2021; USA; 4 min.
There’s no need for social distancing when you can call the underwater phone sex hotline! This absurd local film mixes therapy and phone sex with a heavy dose of magical realism.
AIMEE VICTORIA
Chrystee Pharris; 2021; USA; 11 min.; in English and American Sign Language with English subtitles
When two deaf women aren’t able to spend their anniversary together, they have to get creative. Shot entirely remotely—with the cast and crew never meeting in person—this film reminds us that there’s always a solution.
BAYANIHAN & RESILIENCE
Jocelyn Tabancay Duffy; 2020; USA; 5 min.
In this documentary, a queer Filipino immigrant and proud café owner is no longer able to welcome customers inside, so he focuses on giving back to his Oakland community.
THE LEAF
William Zang; 2021; USA; 4 min.; in English and Mandarin with English subtitles
In this personal documentary, a gay immigrant from China experiences increasing racism and unemployment here, but will face increased homophobia if he moves back to China.
TAIWAN PRIDE FOR THE WORLD
Larry Tung; 2020; Taiwan; 3 min.; in English and Chinese with English subtitles
In 2020, more than 400 Pride events were canceled because of COVID-19. But Taiwan, having kept the virus at bay, hosted one for the whole world.
Total running time: 82 min.
CONTENT WARNINGS: NON-EXPLICIT SEXUAL SITUATIONS, EXPLICIT SEXUAL SITUATIONS, IMPLIED VIOLENCE, DEPICTION OF RACIAL VIOLENCE, DISCUSSION OF RACIAL VIOLENCE, DISCUSSION OF SUICIDE, DRUG USE