GAZE International Film Festival returned for its 32nd edition spotlighting the best in new LGBTQ+ cinema
By Brian Bowe
This year, those attending the GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival were absolutely spoiled for choice. The festival’s 32nd edition showcased 100 films from across the world, including 25 international feature films, ten eclectic shorts programmes, seven world premieres, a dozen European premieres and over 50 Irish premieres across the five-day festival.
“With almost 100 films in the programme, I’m hopeful there’s something for all cinemagoers at GAZE 2024, from both inside and outside the LGBTQIA community,” commented GAZE Festival Director, Greg Thorpe at the festival’s programme launch. “I’m proud that our programme can support high-profile makers like Andrew Haigh, incredible emerging talents like D.W. Waterson, and the next generation of filmmakers via our vibrant shorts programme. Thanks to all our supporters, old and new, I can’t wait for us all to be together again in the cinema.”
Kicking off proceedings was D.W. Waterson’s intense and inspiring lesbian cheerleading drama, Backspot. Executive produced by Elliot Page, Waterson’s feature-length directorial film debut follows Riley (Devery Jacobs of Reservation Dogs), a teenage cheerleader with anxiety as she navigates the world of competitive cheer. Riley’s stern coach is played by Evan Rachel Wood, always a welcome screen presence, whose performance here has been favourably likened to J.K. Simmons’ Oscar-winning turn as a similarly strict mentor in 2014’s Whiplash. The director joined the festival in person to introduce the film and hosted a DJ set following the screening — proving the perfect opportunity to show off all those cheer routines we picked up.
Also at the festival, and one I was particularly excited for, is the Berlinale award-winning documentary Teaches Of Peaches, which follows Canadian musician and performance artist Merrill Nisker, better known by her stage name Peaches. Shot during the 2022 Anniversary Tour of her breakthrough album, Teaches Of Peaches, the documentary chronicles the iconic queer artist’s career from the 1990s until the present day. As well as paying tribute to the electropunk trailblazer, filmmakers Philipp Fussenegger and Judy Landkammer also grant audiences a rare and intimate glimpse into her life by mixing together tour footage with a rich selection of archival finds. And Peaches herself was in conversation during the fest, reflecting on her 25-year career as a glorious gender-bending pop-provocateur.
This year GAZE honoured LGBTQ+ activist, broadcaster and filmmaker Edmund Lynch, who passed away in October, with a special commemorative screening of their 2016 documentary A Different Country. The film reflects on the modest yet unwavering start of a burgeoning gay rights movement, tracing its roots from 1973 all the way to the decriminalisation and flourishing LGBTQ+ community in modern-day Ireland.
There was a lot of focus on Irish talent throughout the festival, of course, especially in the shorts programmes, which celebrated films that defy genre, shining a spotlight on Irish and International LGBTQ+ talent. And for those of you who missed or had still to get over All of Us Strangers — starring our very own beautiful boys, Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal — GAZE hosted a special screening of the film (widely considered one of the year’s best) with director Andrew Haigh in attendance, interviewed by collaborator Russell Tovey.
In addition to showcasing a diverse selection of films, the festival offered a variety of activities such as special events, workshops, exhibitions and parties. A highlight of this year’s festivities was the introduction of starGAZE, an initiative aimed at uplifting six LGBTQ+ filmmakers by amplifying queer Irish narratives in the film industry. These selected individuals will benefit from a comprehensive year-long mentorship where emerging Irish filmmakers will have access to seasoned Irish and international creative talents to guide them at crucial points in their careers. starGAZE is supported by The National Talent Academy Film & TV Drama, is an initiative of Screen Ireland and is managed by Ardán.
Dominic Savage’s delicate homecoming drama Close to You was the festival’s Closing Gala film, on Monday, August 5. The film marks Elliot Page’s first big-screen role since coming out as a trans man in 2020. According to Variety critic Guy Lodge, the film is a triumphant return for Page: “a reminder of what a deft and perceptive actor he can be, capable of both naked emotional candour and acidic wit.”
There was plenty more stuff on show, too much to pack into an article, so please dive into the full programme for GAZE 2024 at www.gaze.ie to catch up on anything you missed and want to add to your watchlist. The GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival ran at the IFI and Light House Cinemas and at GAZE Online from 1 – 5 August.
