The Fabulous Independent Film Festival this week announced its full line-up of films.

The event runs September 30 through October 2. The festival has moved out from the auspices of the Sarasota Film Society and under the oversight of the Harvey Milk Festival, but the spirit in true independence, both in the sense of film and of the individual, remains clear in the festival’s programming. Festival founder Magda Diouri promises the event this year will showcase self-discovery. “I don’t start with a theme in mind,” Diouri says. “It appears throughout the selection process. This year’s theme is ‘finding oneself.”

The LGBT-themed event will open with a screening of Closet Monster, starring True Crime’s Connor Jessup. The movie won Best Canadian Feature Film at the Toronto International Film Festival. There will also be a special beachfront screening Real Boy. An exact location for the screening has yet to be announced. Other films will screen at Burns Court Cinema. An Opening Night Party will be held September 30 at Made, starting at 10pm.

This will be the fifth year of the event since it relaunched as the Fabulous Independent Film Festival. Last year, Diouri turned the independent event, itself an offshoot of the Film Society’s Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

Read the Sept. 8 edition of SRQ Daily to learn more about the event.

Closet Monster, 7:30pm, 9/30

The film follows the emotionally scarred life of Oscar (True Crime’s Connor Jessup), a gay Canadian teen guided by his ‘spirit animal’ Buffy the hamster (voiced by Isabella Rossellini) during his first tumultuous boyfriend experience. The film has won numerous awards including Best Canadian Feature Film at The Toronto International Film Festival.

Where Are You Going Habibi?, 1pm, 10/1

Ibrahim, a young German of Turkish Descent, leads a dual life: he lives with his tradition-bound family, but outside home he is a confident gay man looking to find love and a job. 

Me, Myself and Her, 3:30pm, 10/1

An Italian comedic-drama exploring the dynamics between two mature women, Marina and Frederica. Marina is a once popular and loved actress, confident about her sexuality, whereas Frederica, a divorced architect is in a her first ever relationship with a woman.

Lazy Eye, 6pm, 10/1

Passions reignite and secrets are revealed when a graphic designer reconnects with the great, lost love of his life for a weekend tryst at a house in the desert near Joshua Tree.

Real Boy, 8:30p, 10/1, beach screening, location TBD

The documentary, which won the Audience Award at Frameline Film Festival, offers an intimate glimpse into the family life of a transgender adolescent male dealing with family conflict as he works on becoming a musician. Featured image above.

Love is All You Need?, 2:30pm, 10/2

When a female quarterback falls in love with a male journalist, they are harassed after their relationship becomes public in an overwhelmingly homosexual world where heterosexuality is publicly reviled. Based on the multi-award winning short film of the same name.

Hunky Dory, 5pm, 10/2

Sidney’s constant search for cash, drugs, and sex (with men and women) is interrupted when he finds his 11-year-old son Georgie in his apartment, dropped off by Sidney’s ex who has left town without warning or an explanation. Winner of Best Narrative at Slamdance Film Festival.