SHORTS BLOCK: THE TIES THAT BOND

These shorts capture a variety of relationships and how they shift over time throughout moments of discovery, transition, love, and growth, and are dedicated to the bonds that bring us closer to our heritages, our communities, and to ourselves.

SAT MAY 6 | 6:45 PM | ARK LODGE CINEMAS
AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY MAY 4-7

MY LIFE AT THE BEGINNING
Ana Puentes Margarito; 2023; Spain; 15 min.
Spanish with English Subtitles
Rome is nine years old and his favorite place is the lap of his father, Rodolfo. As his extended family gathers to celebrate New Year’s Eve, the truth about Rome’s identity comes to light. 

NI AQUÍ / NI ALLÁ
Ley Comas; 2022; USA; 15 min.
Spanish and English 
A personal documentary that centers on a conversation between filmmaker Ley Comas and their mother about their gender identity. The conversation traces Ley’s physical and psychological journey to becoming themselves while struggling to find a middle ground with their family.
Content warnings: Needles, misgendering, transphobic language 

A DRIVE TO TOP SURGERY
Raven Two Feathers, USA, 2022, 11 min
In a powerful and evocative continuous take of video, we accompany a young transgender person and their family on the journey to their top surgery.

STILL THE ONE 
Taisiya Zaretskaya; 2023; USA; 3 min.
An animated conversation between trans man Les, his husband, and their two children about love, support, and the strength of their family throughout Les’s transition.. 

AUTOFICTION  
Katie Lambert; 2023; United Kingdom; 18 min.
A fight before a concert causes Chris and Hannah to reconcile their romantic relationship and reflect on their values.  
Content warnings: Vulgar language 

PAPA & PAPI 
Jonathan von Büren; 2023; Germany; 10 min.
German with English subtitles
A portrait of a loving family: a father who transitioned after giving birth and his two sons. 

LOVE HEIST
Stella Alfjaro; 2023; USA; 5 min.
A villa near the ocean, a wealthy French fiancée, and an unexpected spark. Neighbors Cesar and Eden must ponder if love is the answer to all of their questions. 

PERENNIAL
Naomi Cubero; 2023; USA; 15 min.
A trans woman helps a preteen girl navigate her first period as they both discover what it means to "become a woman."
Content warnings: Blood, non-explicit sexual content, misgendering