Shorts Preview: 2020 FM LGBT Film Festival

BY SCOTTIE KNOLLIN

Like many other film festivals this year, the Fargo-Moorhead LGBT Film Festival is celebrating unique motion pictures virtually. The 2020 fest, its 12th annual event, will run September 13-19 exclusively online for the very first time, featuring work from 30 LGBTQ filmmakers from 11 countries.

Sean Coffman, Executive Director of The Human Family, the organization behind the festival, said, “We’re so thrilled to bring these films to Fargo-Moorhead. There’s such an eclectic group of well-made films this year - so many that it is very hard to form a list of my personal favorites, because I find inspiration in so many of them.”

In preparation for the festival, for which tickets are now available, the event’s organizers have announced this year’s award winners.

Enjoy this preview of the FM LGBT Film Festival award-winning short films:

Birds of a Feather

Presented by Ringling College of Art + Design, “Birds of a Feather” is a delightful animated short film about a male peacock, Kana, who doesn’t quite fit in, despite his lack of trying. While the other male peacocks in the palace raise their feathers for their female counterparts, Kana is left alone. That is, until he spots another male peacock afflicted with the same “problem.” The velvety animation is exquisite and the colors are eye-popping, but its the story that sets this film above the rest of the flock.

Director Varad Bhamburdekar draws inspiration from Indian culture in both the design of the film’s main characters and the style of the story, even ending with a classic Bollywood dance number.

“Birds of a Feather” was named Best Animated Film and is celebrating its North Dakota premiere.

Change Chou’s Dream

Artfully sincere and piercing, “Change Chou’s Dream” is a live-action Chinese short film about life’s changing seasons and how it effects us and those we love. It begins with a mention of the meaning of a chrysalis before evolving into a beautifully-shot parable of a man who thought or wished he was a butterfly. The grey overtones carry through to the more realistic and isolating vision of Chou. There’s a certain inspiration from Terrence Malick-like slice of life imagery that connects the driving vision of the short film by Kuo Yu Chen Without a word ever spoken, the sanitized glimpse of impending change is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

“Change Chou’s Dream” was named Best Experimental Film and is celebrating its North Dakota premiere.

HANN

“HANN” is a story of society’s pressure to stay in line with what’s considered normal and the toll that takes during adolescence. Partly inspired by writer and director Rúnar Thor’s own journey of acceptance, the film is brutally honest in its portrayal of the balance between sexual identity and teenage masculinity.

Our protagonist, Andri, played to perfection by Asgeir Sigurdsson, shuffles from the mundane routine of school and home and the hidden adventure of a forbidden love interest. After connecting with a match on Tinder, Andri wrestles with how to live an honest and open life with his friends and family while also exploring love the way he’s meant to.

Prepare to get emotionally wrapped up in this captivating film. It’s both an insightful glimpse of youth and angst and a reminder of the mental cost of living in a world where being yourself isn’t always so easy.

“HANN” was named Best Narrative Short and is celebrating its North Dakota premiere.

New Ways

Directed by Jonas Hegi and written, choreographed by, and created by choreographer and movement director Benjamin Milan, “New Ways” is a captivating invitation into exploring life through movement and dance.

Hegi lets the real-life footage flow nearly effortlessly as we hear Milan explain his journey through the ballroom scene while flashing images serve as well-earned treats to the eye. Two minutes into the film, Milan performs a solo routine in a vast and empty space. It is both beautiful and stark. While the film is a documentary in form, it is something more experimental, colorful, and unnerving in essence. Milan sticks the landing when he discusses the role of ballroom in the LGBT community and his own thankfulness in how he’s been accepted.

The film culminates in a celebratory group dance. It’s impressive what Hegi does with such a small amount of time. This may be the one short film that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

“New Ways” was named Best Cinematography and is celebrating its North Dakota premiere.