30th Annual Long Beach Qfilms Festival Features ‘Big Boys’ This Weekend

The 30th anniversary of the historic Long Beach Qfilms Festival takes place this weekend, September 15-17, at the historic Art Theatre and The LGBTQ Center Long Beach (The Center) in Long Beach, California.

This year’s festival includes It’s Only Life After All, an intimate look at the folk-rock band Indigo Girls, and the heartwarming comedy Big Boys about a teen’s coming of age on a camping trip. The festival kicks off tonight with an opening night reception at The Center located next to the Art Theater.

Qfilms presents a mix of narrative features, documentaries, and short films elevating and affirming diverse voices and visions. The festival includes Q&A sessions with filmmakers and cast members, and an ice cream social. The weekend provides a unique opportunity for members of the audience to meet and mingle with not just the filmmakers and actors, but industry professionals as well.

Individual tickets and passes to all screenings are available for purchase at qfilmslongbeach.com. The Art Theatre is located at 2025 East 4th Street in Long Beach, and next door to The Center.

Here’s the most recent schedule for the Long Beach Qfilms Festival 2023.

Friday, September 15

8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Opening Night Reception – QFilms Special Exhibit showcasing 30 years of queer film (The Center)

Saturday, September 16

11 a.m. Commitment to Life followed by Q&A with director Jeffrey Schwarz and executive producer Ron Sylvester (Art Theatre)

1:30 p.m. Jewelle: A Just Vision (Art Theatre)

3 p.m. Queer and Trans Shorts short film program followed by Q&A with filmmakers and cast members (Art Theatre)

4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Ice Cream Social (The Center)

5 p.m. LatinX Queer Shorts short film program followed by Q&A with filmmakers and casts (Art Theatre)

7 p.m. It’s Only Life After All (Art Theatre)

9:30 p.m. Studio One Forever followed by Q&A with filmmaker and cast (Art Theatre)

Sunday, September 17

11 a.m. Men in Briefs short film program followed by Q&A with filmmakers and cast members (Art Theatre)

12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday Brunch (The Center)

1:15 p.m. Women in Shorts short film program followed by Q&A with filmmakers and cast members

3:30 p.m. The Unlikely Story of the Lesbians of First Friday followed by Q&A with filmmaker and cast members

5 p.m. Big Boys

6:45 p.m. Unveiling the Rainbow: Long Beach Pride’s 40 Year Evolution (World Premiere)

8:15 p.m. Long Beach/L.A. Queer Shorts short film program followed by Q&A with filmmakers and cast members

You can learn more at at qfilmslongbeach.com. You can learn more about The LGBTQ Center Long Beach at centerlb.org. You can learn more about the historic Art Theatre at arttheatrelongbeach.org.