Shorts
22nd Reel Pride Canadian Short Film Festival
Celebrating
Canadian Short Films
Saturday, September 20, 2025
1:00 - 4:30 PM
Gas Station Theatre, 445 River Ave, Winnipeg
2025 Short Films Celebration
Official Selections
Anita Louise and the Wild Women
Arena Alamino, Filmmaker
Rating: 14A: Theme or content may not be suitable for all children
Anita Louise Martinez photographed Nova Scotia's queer and trans community in an exploration of the Wild Women Don't Get the Blues on lesbian camping weekends.
Becoming Ruby
Quan Luong, Filmmaker
Rating: 14A: Theme or content may not be suitable for all children
Becoming Ruby follows Ruby Chopstix (Alex Nguyen), the Asian Pop Princess of Winnipeg and Canada’s first drag artist-in-residence at Rainbow Resource Centre, as they navigate the complexity of being an underrepresented drag performer while creating a special showcase to create space for other queer BIPOC performers.
Comphet
Evan Rivard, Filmmaker
Rating: 14A: Theme or content may not be suitable for all children
Using found footage from her wedding and exploring the complicated emotions, Gin tells the story of how she realized she might be attracted to girls.
Cruising in Gomorrah
Coby Friesen, Filmmaker
Rating: 18A Can contain nudity, implied sex, violence
Childhood friends Chris and Alex reunite on a camping trip at a haunted creek as Chris’ deep Christian faith clashes with Alex’s worldly desires when a dark gay presence awakens their unconscious desires and forces them to reckon their sexualities.
First Shave
Ande Brown, Filmmaker
Rating: 14A: Theme or content may not be suitable for all children
Anticipation and apprehension abound as a trans man prepares for his first hot towel, straight razor shave.
Oh My Doctor
Robert Macklin, Filmmaker
Rating: 14A: Theme or content may not be suitable for all children
A young man (JAKE) goes for a physical to find the attending doctor (GORDY) is someone he already has a romantic interest.
Private Flowers
HAUI, Filmmaker
Rating: 14A: Theme or content may not be suitable for all children
Private Flowers captures male love with poetic intimacy and reclaims a hidden chapter of queer heritage going back to 1832 when Private Flowers, a Canadian Infantryman was hanged for making love with another man.
Ramen Boys
Jason Sakaki, Filmmaker
Rating: 14A: Theme or content may not be suitable for all children
Kevin finally takes a chance to connect with James, the lifeguard he's admired from afar, leading to an extremely expected first kiss and a summer of love and laughter in a gay Asian rom-com.
Remembering the Struggle for the Legitimacy of Same-sex Desire in the 1970s
Clark Nikolai, Filmmaker
Rating: 14A: Theme or content may not be suitable for all children
Don Hann was involved in Gay activism in Vancouver in the 1970s as he remembers those times when he celebrates his birthday at Vancouver’s clothing optional Wreck Beach.
The Reveal
Jackie Hoffart, Filmmaker
Rating: 14A: Theme or content may not be suitable for all children
Stevie struggles to support their sister’s gender reveal party, while harbouring a gender update of their own as this charming comedy centers on joy, connection and acceptance while shining a whimsical light on the stumbling, imperfect, yet loving ways families show up for one another.
Trigger
Alen Xhafa, Filmmaker
Rating: 18A: Can contain implied sex and violence
After a gruelling one-on-one session with an established film director casting for his next leading man, the aspiring actor Drake gets the opportunity to audition for the executive producer the very next day.
Wing Story,
Clara Eleanor Fielding, Filmmaker
Rating: 14A: Theme or content may not be suitable for all children
An atmospheric story about a woman who grows wings and loves them, only to have her new sense of self shattered by the reactions, and perceived reactions, of those around her.
Schedule for Celebration of Short Films
1:00 -2:00 First Half of Films
2:00-3:00 Break and Film Train Manitoba Panel
3:00-4:00 Second Half of Films
4:00-4:30 Voting and Presentation of Prizes
Canada’s longest running 2SLGBTQ+ Short Films Celebration received hundreds of submissions over its’ 21 years from various locations in the Provinces and Territories.
Filmmaker’s Shorts most often reveal stories that mirror the life of the Canadian 2SLGBTQ+ culture and their friendships, personal growth, dynamic relationships, and their personal struggles for societal understanding.
Email any questions or concerns to shorts@reelpride.ca