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Gay To Do: 6 films you can’t miss at this year’s qFLIX

qFLIX Philadelphia, Philadelphia’s only LGBT film festival, kicks off Tuesday. Produced by Thom Cardwell and James Duggan, the 6-day festival will bring 50 films from all over the world to screens here in Center City.

qFLIX Philadelphia, Philadelphia's only LGBT film festival, kicks off Tuesday. Produced by Thom Cardwell and James Duggan, the 6-day festival will bring 50 films from all over the world to screens here in Center City. We got the inside scoop from the qFLIX team on what flicks are not to be missed at this year's festival. From a documentary about LGBT athletes to a sleeper comedy about a closeted mechanic to a look inside the Puerto Rican trans community, there are some really special offerings at this year's qFLIX.

Game Face

One of the festival's documentary offerings, Game Face tells the stories of two athletes during their coming out process, shedding light on the obstacles LGBTQ athletes face. The film profiles Fallon Fox, MMA's first transgender professional fighter who made headlines last year, and Terrence Clemens, a gay college basketball player in Oklahoma.

East Coast Premiere - Wednesday, July 8 at 7:15pm at the Prince Theater

Be Who You Are

Started as a small project right here in Philadelphia, Be Who You Are is a fast paced documentary following two best friends and their cameraman as they travel across 22 states in 25 days. They set off on this journey in search of inspirational stories of everyday people pursuing their dreams. First time director and Tavern on Camac bartender Jon Ristaino told the Inquirer, "Everyone kept telling us to focus down on one topic, like coming out or the gay community, and I kept telling people that just because I'm gay, the film doesn't have to be gay. I think our journey is one of friendship, personal growth, and being true. That's enough."

World Premiere - Thursday, July 9 at 7:15 at the Prince Theater

"LUV" Don't Live Here Anymore

From first-time Philadelphia director Mikal K. Odom, a passionate and compelling story of a gay black man whose life is flipped upside down when he becomes seriously ill, unearthing harsh truths. The film features many recognizable Gayborhood locations including Tabu Sports Bar and Lounge and the John C. Anderson Apartments.

World Premiere - Friday, July 10 at 7:15pm at The University of the Arts Caplan Center for the Performing Arts.

Mala Mala

On the heels of its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, documentarians Antoni Santini and native Philadelphian Daniel Sickles share what they captured in Puerto Rico over a three year period as trans people start coming out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

Mid-Atlantic Premiere - Saturday, July 11 at 12:00pm at The University of the Arts Caplan Center for the Performing Arts.

Fourth Man Out

This daring and unconventional comedy, Fourth Man Out follows a group of blue-collar friends as they try to find a boyfriend for one of their pals who just came out of the closet. Variety wrote, "This thoroughly ingratiating, touchingly heartfelt comedy doesn't have marquee names or an attention-grabbing hook, but hopefully its sheer likability will grab some deserved niche theatrical and home-format attention."

East Coast Premiere - Saturday, July 11 at 7:15pm at the Prince Theater

Those People

Closing out the festival, Those People tells the story of a young gay painter torn between an obsession with his best friend and a promising new romance. With the backdrop of elite New York City, director Joey Kuhn's debut film is an endearing exploration of our collective ability and inability to connect with others. Big Gay Picture Show wrote, "What I'd initially thought was going to be a rather smug look at the rich turned out to be something far smarter and more heartfelt than I'd expected. It's an excellent look at unrequited love that many of us will be able to relate to."

East Coast Premiere - Sunday, July 12 at 8:00pm at the Prince Theater