Drama
‘I Do’
July 20, 7:15 p.m.; July 21,
2:15 p.m., Ritz East
A centerpiece feature of the festival, this drama is one of many addressing gay marriage this year. “We, as programmers, don’t consciously go out and say, ‘Well, this is an election year,’ but these are the films that are coming to us, the stories that filmmakers want to tell,” says Coombes.
Starring and written by QFest darling David W. Ross, “I Do” tells the story of a gay British man working in the U.S. who marries his best friend Ali when his visa expires. When the arrangement crumbles, the true love of his life, Mano, can’t provide him with the same protection.
Documentary
‘I Stand Corrected’
July 19, 7:15 p.m.; July 20, 5 p.m., Ritz East
This documentary follows King of Prussia native Jennifer Leitham, a successful jazz artist who began her career as John Leitham. Part of an expanded offering of films addressing transgender themes, it will be screened along with “Transpass,” a short film by Wren Warner examining the implications of SEPTA’s gender-specific transpasses.
Drama
‘Melting Away’
Inspired by a 2009 shooting spree at a Tel Aviv LGBTQ youth center — after which many parents shunned the young victims — this Israeli drama follows a family as they attempt to locate the transgender son they abandoned. “It’s an amazing, healing film,” says Coombes. “There was a lot of anguish in Tel Aviv, and these filmmakers made a response to something that was horrific.”
QFest runs through July 23. For tickets, visit www.qfest.com.
