Celebrate Utah stories and home-grown filmmakers in this local short film program. Each short film will include a video introduction from the filmmaker.
Offered free of charge to our audiences during Damn These Heels Film Festival and as a Utah Film Center Free Tuesday Program.
Damn These Heels Queer Film Festival runs July 9-18, 2021, and features streaming and in-person screenings. See the full lineup by visiting damntheseheels.org.
Films in the program:
CHURCH AND THE FOURTH ESTATE
Directed by Brian Knappenberger
When a reporter uncovers a file that reveals a shocking series of child-abuse allegations in Idaho’s Boy Scouts, the investigation rattles a tight-knit community and implicates the Mormon Church.
FIG. UNDEFINED
Directed by Hugo Vaca López
In the late 70’s, BYU student John Cameron was recommended to be a part of a study that promised to cure his homosexuality. The study headed by Max Ford McBride, then a graduate student, consisted of powerful electric shocks given to the participants as they were shown explicit images. The turmoil that conversion therapy and the LDS church brought upon John’s life is narrated and illustrated based on some of his previous interviews.
Conversion therapy on minors is still legal in 30 U.S. states. Surprisingly, Utah is one of those few that have adopted a ban. The title Fig. Undefined is a nod to the uncertainty of knowing when the LGBTQ+ community will be able to live without discrimination as well as the unknown countless moments of suffering that will result from conversion therapy or similar practices.
THE SECOND CLOSET
Directed by Ali Akbari
A gay man with disability navigates dating in Salt Lake City, but through his not-so-halal escapades, he realizes what is truly missing in his life.
THE SECRETS WE KEEP (Los Secretos Que Guadramos)
Directed by Armando López
A surprise visit from his parents forces a young man to deal with the coming out to his parents or lose the man he loves in the process of keeping things hidden.
THEIRS
Directed by Guillermo Ramos
A short documentary film that tells the coming of age story of a young Black and non-binary teenager in Utah.
