Out in the Dark

Antonio and Agostino grew up together in a small town in Sicily; they dreamt of living a different life, somewhere else. Now thirty-year-olds, they both live abroad but they lost touch years ago. When Antonio discovers that the house he grew up in, which had been empty for a long time, is about to be sold at auction, he decides to leave and reconnects with his childhood friend. But their lives have changed a lot. Old conflicts and new revelations bring them through Europe on a truck journey.

The Male Gaze is a new series of releases from New Queer Visions that showcases short LGBTQ films from across the world. The first instalment, First Kiss, brings together five shorts that are based around men experiencing romantic and/or sexual interaction with other men for the first time. It takes in films from Sweden, Indonesia, USA, Australia and France giving a rounded look at how similar experiences are depicted across the world. The films are: Naked [Naken] (2013); Pria (2017); Walk With Me (2018), One Night Only (2018); Michel's Mouse [Tapette] (2016).

During a hot summer in rural England, a sheep shearer in his late adolescence struggles with a growing attraction to his colleague.

Léo, a 22-year-old homeless sex worker searches for genuine love on the streets of Strasbourg.

The story of Jonathas, an orphan who had been adopted and then "returned" due to his effeminate mannerisms.

Two childhood best friends are asked to share a kiss for the purposes of a student short film. Soon, a lingering doubt sets in, confronting both men with their preferences, threatening the brotherhood of their social circle, and, eventually, changing their lives.

Salvatore is a handsome man edging into middle age who spends his days savoring the beauty of the Italian seaside. One morning, Salvatore is taking in the sunrise over the dunes when he meets a beautiful woman, leading to a romantic interlude between them. It would seem to be an encouraging way to start the day, but Salvatore and his new lover soon happen upon a group of beachcombers who engage them in a conversation about love, philosophy and the future. What began as a beautiful day takes a subtle, unexpected turn and Salvatore begins contemplating the uncertain path of his life and wondering where he could go from here.

The story deals with the right to happiness and to be part of the community, for those who have chosen a different form of morally accepted by society, and allows us to review the issue of discrimination, intolerance, marginalization and social exclusion but also that of the infinite capacity to love that human beings have.

One night while at the baths, young campus nerd Rico meets heartthrob Cris, the chemistry between them is immediately hot and intense. Once that fire cools Rico thinks he has found the ideal man but finds himself on a roller coaster ride of love, jealousy and infidelity as Cris continues his conquest of the baths. Made in the same guerrilla style of his earlier film, Cris Pablo once again uses striking images and strong characters to tell the story of gay life in the Philippines.

A violent examination of male homosexuality in a time when it was considered taboo, where Ivano Staccioli and his lover engage in a self-destructive relationship against the background of Africa.

Two friends are on a road trip and a one-sided attraction develops.