Heroes, Heartbeats, and Shorelines (15) + Q&A with Tom Paul Martin

A dynamic collection of short films exploring identity, transformation, and unexpected connections that shape us, from superheroes to shorelines, followed by a Q&A with Tom Paul Martin, director of Where Are All the Gay Superheroes.

Films screening in this programme are:

Teth (Directed by Peter Darney/GB 2024/12 mins)

Following surgery, Ioan and his father adapt to their new relationship as father and son, that is until the dog mistakes a nipple for a chew toy.

Where Are All the Gay Superheroes (Directed by Tom Paul Martin/GB 2023/15 mins).

An LGBTQIA+ crowd-pleaser, combining elements of sci-fi, drama and comedy. Professional superheroes Sterling and Meridian have just finished saving the day (again) when suddenly, they find themselves in a rare moment alone. The suits come off, but when old tensions and old enemies return, our “heroes” learn the dark truth about who they are underneath.

Façade (Directed by Sophia Vi/GB 2024/2 mins).

Following gender affirming facial feminisation surgery, a transgender woman contemplates what it means to be alive using the words of William Shakespeare’s most famous speech – ‘To be or not to be…’

Winner: 2024 Micro Short Award

Boys in the Water (Directed by Pawel Thomas Larue/FR 2023/39 mins).

End of summer on the Breton coast. Oscar invites his group of friends to spend a week’s vacation at his grandparent’s house. He hasn’t been back to his childhood home for years – not since he came out as a trans boy. On the beach, the gang meets Malo, a handsome local guy, also trans – prompting an encounter that will turn everything upside down.

Highly Commended, 2024 Iris Prize.