Frameline, the queer arts nonprofit behind the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, announced today the lineup for its first-ever Frameline50 Fall Showcase — a slate of five awards-season contenders screening across San Francisco venues this October and November.
The showcase arrives on the heels of Frameline50, June’s landmark 50th edition of the festival, which drew an audience of 50,000 to the Bay Area. This time, the nonprofit is narrowing its focus to craft, spotlighting LGBTQ+ talent both behind and in front of the camera with films that have already made waves at Cannes, Berlinale, Telluride, and TIFF.
The main slate kicks off October 14 with Mouse, a coming-of-age drama from Ghostlight directors Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, starring Oscar nominee Sophie Okonedo alongside Chloe Coleman and Iman Vellani. Okonedo also headlines Clarissa (Oct. 21), Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri’s reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway relocated to Lagos, Nigeria, with a cast that includes David Oyelowo, Ayo Edebiri, and Toheeb Jimoh.
“History isn’t just something we look back on. It’s something we make together, in a dark theater, shoulder to shoulder.”
Coward (Oct. 28) brings Lukas Dhont’s follow-up to Girl and Close to the Bay Area — a gay love story set on the Belgian front in World War I, and Belgium’s official Oscar entry. Tangles (Oct. 20), Leah Nelson’s animated directorial debut based on Sarah Leavitt’s graphic novel, stars Abbi Jacobson opposite an ensemble that includes Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, and Seth Rogen.
The showcase closes November 5 at the Castro Theatre with Elsinore, Simon Stone’s drama starring Andrew Scott as actor Ian Charleson, fresh off its Telluride premiere, with Olivia Colman and Joe Locke in supporting roles.
The whole thing opens October 11 — National Coming Out Day — with a tribute to Dolly Parton via a screening of the 1980 comedy 9 to 5, preceded by a drag homage from Peaches Christ.
“History isn’t just something we look back on,” said Frameline Executive Director Allegra Madsen. “It’s something we make together, in a dark theater, shoulder to shoulder.”
Screenings take place at the Castro Theatre, the Vogue Theatre, and the Premier Theater at One Letterman. Alaska Airlines is the showcase’s presenting sponsor. Tickets are on sale now at frameline.org, ranging from $17.50–$25 depending on venue and membership tier.
