In a world plagued by genocides, the climate crisis, and the erasure of cultures, this short film programme explores how queer communities continue to imagine possible futures ripe with solidarity and abundance. From queer shamanism to radical care between HIV-positive bodies, ritual and performance become tools to remake the universe. Because to be queer is to refuse to comply with the world as it is, thereby hoping, dreaming, and forging worlds that are not yet born.

Curatorial idea by Arshootti and Xinyi Wang as part of Up Next: Future Film Curators Lab 2024/25

Filament Fortune

HIV-positive bodies stage a reverse-arranging of flowers.

Dir. Beau Gomez | multiple origins | 2024 | 10min

JuJu vs The Possibilities of Life, Love and Death

A chance encounter leads to a trans woman speculating on future possibilities.

Dir. Htet Aung Lwyn | Myanmar | 2024 | 15min

High Tide or Low Tide?

A closeted high schooler takes part in a poetry contest.

Dir. Gio Franco Amarillo Alpuente | Philippines | 2024 | 20min

Hide and Seek

Queer utopias are brought to life through 3D animation.

Dir. Junjie Xu | UK | 2024 | 6min

Baradiya

An indigenous trans woman grapples with becoming a Babaylan, a Filipino queer shaman.

Dir. Gab Mejia, Miko Reyes, David Loughran, Antonio Lantong Dagoc Jr. | Philippines | 2024 | 20min