All screenings will take place at the historic Circle Cinema.
Wednesday, September 10
7PM
Four Mothers
Four Mothers is a sharply observed, warm-hearted comedy that explores the messy overlaps of family, friendship, and queer identity through an intergenerational lens. James McArdle delivers a deeply empathetic performance as Edward, a gay novelist whose sudden international success is overshadowed by his ongoing role as caregiver for his non-verbal mother, Alma (played with quiet power by Fionnula Flanagan). When Edward’s group of close-knit gay friends impulsively leave for a destination Pride event—and drop their own aging mothers at his doorstep—his already-stretched patience is put to the test. Director Darren Thornton brings a uniquely Irish blend of wit and tenderness to the story, balancing laugh-out-loud moments with intimate, emotionally resonant scenes that speak to the sacrifices and joys of caregiving.
Screening with the Short Film: Die Bully Die
9:30PM
Opening Night Party: Featuring Paisley Fields
Thursday, September 11
7PM
Dreams in Nightmares
Celebrating the complex interior lives and loves of Black queer people, Dreams in Nightmares is a lyrical and emotionally rich film from Shatara Michelle Ford (Test Pattern), brought to life by a cast of majority queer and trans Black actors. Z (Denée Benton) reconnects with two old friends during a short New York trip, and when their missing fourth, Kel, hasn’t been heard from in months, they embark on a spontaneous cross-country road trip turned rescue mission. Along the way, they confront personal demons and unresolved tensions in a story that asks what we gain by saying yes—and what we lose when we don’t.
Screening with the Short Film: Egg
9PM
Afterparty at Bar 473
Join us next door at 473 following the screening of Dreams in Nightmares to celebrate Twisted Arts’ fifth anniversary with friends and supporters. Drinks are on us — we’d love to see you there! Connect with fellow film lovers, meet the team behind Twisted Arts, and toast to five years of queer creativity and community. Let’s celebrate how far we’ve come and the bold stories still to come.
Friday, September 12
6:30PM
Odd Fish
Odd Fish is a tender, character-driven dramedy set against the breathtaking backdrop of Iceland’s northern Westfjords. Directed by Snævar Sölvason, the film quietly breaks new ground as the first Icelandic feature to center a trans woman in a leading role—without sensationalism or spectacle. At the heart of the story are two childhood best friends, now business partners, who run a cozy seafood restaurant in a tight-knit coastal town. When one of them comes out as a trans woman, the quiet rhythm of their shared life is disrupted, not by malice, but by uncertainty, discomfort, and the slow work of unlearning.
Screening with the Short Film: Found
8:30PM
DMTTM: PeeWee’s Big Adventure
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and honor the legendary Paul Reubens at Drag Me to the Movies (DMTTM)! Local performers will kick off the night with a hilarious drag parody inspired by Pee-wee’s iconic journey. This special screening will also feature a DMTTM opening show, blending live performances, music, and campy humor before the film begins. Expect outrageous antics and unforgettable moments as our queens bring Pee-wee’s world to life on stage. Join us for this one-of-a-kind tribute to a cult classic and a beloved comedy legend.
Saturday, September 13
11:30AM
The Real Housewives in Tulsa
In an attempt to mend her broken heart, recently divorced Krissie (James Franco) meets up with her besties Sha’lice (Kalup Linzy), Nicole (Peter Gold), Alyssa (Branjae Jackson) and the latter’s husband Cody (Jasper Hammer) in Tulsa only to be confronted with judgment, secrets, and revelations that rock their reunion to its core.
Oklahoma Short Film
Directed by Kalup Linzy
1PM
Between Goodbyes
Between Goodbyes is a tender and deeply personal documentary that explores the complexities of identity, belonging, and reconciliation through the story of Mieke, a queer Korean adoptee raised in the Netherlands, and her birth mother, Okgyun, who was forced to give her up under South Korea’s strict one-child policy, cultural stigma, and economic hardship.
Screening with the Short Film: Poreless
3:30PM
Assembly
Assembly follows visionary artist Rashaad Newsome as he transforms a historic military facility into a Black queer utopia, blending art, AI, and performance. Through stunning visuals and deeply personal performances, Assembly captures the transformative power of creativity as a fractured community comes together to find strength, solidarity, and liberation.
Screening with the Short Film: Two Black Boys in Paradise
Closing Night Party at Queen Rose Arts House
Featuring: Branjae & DJ Kylie
Executive Producers
Producers
Ralph and Frances
McGill Foundation
Community Sponsors
Community Sponsors
