Queer Films Schedule

There are many films showing for the SC Film Festival from October 8-12 in theaters in downtown Santa Cruz.
The list below are queer related films.

More Films and Info: SantaCruzFilmFestivals.org. Tickets Here.

Wednesday, October 8

7:00 PM - 8:45 PM, Landmark's Del Mar Theatre. Movie: F*CKTOYS
F*cktoys is a lush, 16mm fever dream that reimagines the Major Arcana of the Tarot through the story of AP: a struggling pollyanna seeking salvation from a curse. AP is promised by not one but multiple psychics that for a cool $1000 -and the sacrifice of a baby lamb- it can be lifted. So she makes money the only way she knows how: scootering her way deeper into the night, and into the uncouth underbelly of Trashtown. Dark, irreverent, and sexy, the film cascades through a series of larger-than-life characters and absurd situations, each more unhinged than the last. F*cktoys is a campy romp that explores the intersection of intimacy, exploitation, and class in a pre-millennium alternate universe of urban decay and pastel cotton candy skies. (Opening Party follows)

Thursday, October 9

• 4:00 PM - 5:38 PM, Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center. Movie: Satisfaction
  Set against the stunning Greek isles, Satisfaction explores themes of identity, belonging, and the pursuit of joy. This evocative drama follows the journey of a young traveler navigating love and longing amidst breathtaking landscapes.

• 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM, The 418 Project. Movies: LGBTQ+ Shorts: The Spin Cycle
  From comedy to drama, a full spectrum of LGBTQ+ experiences are artfully brought to life in this shorts program.

• 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Santa Cruz Cinema. Movie: F*CKTOYS (encore screening)
  F*cktoys is a lush, 16mm fever dream that reimagines the Major Arcana of the Tarot through the story of AP: a struggling pollyanna seeking salvation from a curse. AP is promised by not one but multiple psychics that for a cool $1000 -and the sacrifice of a baby lamb- it can be lifted. So she makes money the only way she knows how: scootering her way deeper into the night, and into the uncouth underbelly of Trashtown. Dark, irreverent, and sexy, the film cascades through a series of larger-than-life characters and absurd situations, each more unhinged than the last. F*cktoys is a campy romp that explores the intersection of intimacy, exploitation, and class in a pre-millennium alternate universe of urban decay and pastel cotton candy skies.

More Films and Info: SantaCruzFilmFestivals.org. Tickets Here.

Friday, October 10

• 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM, Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center. Movie: Join the Club
  Dennis Peron is San Francisco's biggest pot dealer. But when his lover dies of AIDS, Peron must decide whether to continue a life of underground rebellion or step into the spotlight to advocate for marijuana legalization, ultimately changing the course of history.

• 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM, The 418 Project. Movie: A Deeper Love: The Story of Miss Peppermint
  A Deeper Love is a decade-long raw and unguarded exploration of the life and career of Miss Peppermint. This intimate documentary captures her journey as a trans activist, performer, and cultural icon, weaving together resilience, artistry, and love in the face of adversity.

Saturday, October 11

• 12:00 PM - 1:36 PM, Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center. Movie: A Culinary Uprising: The Story of Bloodroot
  In the '70s and '80s, there were over 230 feminist restaurants in the U.S. Today, only Bloodroot survives. This documentary traces the history of this revolutionary space, its founders, and its enduring role as both a restaurant and a feminist community hub.

• Screening with: Lesbian Custody. A short video essay about the history of lesbian mothers fighting for custody of their children in the 1970s. The short introduces the landmark lesbian feminist documentary "In the Best Interests of the Children" (dirs. Frances Reid, Liz Stevens, Cathy Zheutlin, 1977) — providing insight into the personal story of the making of the film and the larger context for this nearly forgotten period of LGBTQ history, and putting the history in dialogue with the political struggles of today. As a conversation between past and present, the video features now retired filmmaker, Frances Reid (award winning cinematographer and director), talking with Julie Stevens (adult daughter filmmaker Liz Stevens and Reid's lover, now deceased) as they explore the archives and production photos from the film and reminisce about their lives in Berkeley as a lesbian family.

• 5:15 PM - 7:30 PM, The 418 Project. Movie: Where in the Hell
  When her girlfriend disappears mid-road trip, a young woman finds herself in a surreal and disorienting landscape, navigating both external dangers and her own emotional turmoil. This haunting tale blurs the line between reality and dreamscape, exploring themes of love, loss, and resilience.

More Films and Info: SantaCruzFilmFestivals.org. Tickets Here.

Sunday, October 12

• 2:00 PM - 3:37 PM, Santa Cruz Cinema. Movie: It's Dorothy!
  Since Dorothy Gale started her epic journey down the yellow brick road, countless adaptations and interpretations have emerged. This new retelling reimagines Dorothy’s adventures with fresh perspectives, blending whimsy, nostalgia, and modern sensibilities.

• 4:30 PM - 5:41 PM, Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center. Movie: Playing with Fire: An Ecosexual Emergency
  Lightning ignites a firestorm, forcing artist-activists Beth Stephens and Annie Sprinkle to confront personal, ecological, and societal crises. Blending humor, intimacy, and urgency, this documentary captures their radical art and love amidst the chaos of climate disaster.

• 6:30 PM - 8:10 PM, Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center. Movie: Outerlands
  When CASS (they/them) is asked by an alluring stranger to join them on a surf trip up the coast, it sparks a transformative journey. Outerlands is a soulful, visually stunning exploration of identity, connection, and the magnetic pull of the sea.

Awards Ceremony Following

More Films and Info: SantaCruzFilmFestivals.org. Tickets Here.