Desperado’s 2026 short film lineup is bursting with LGBTQ+ talent, bringing big laughs, bold ideas, and plenty of surprises. From cheeky comedies to nail-biting suspense, there’s truly something for every kind of movie lover.
BIG BASS
USA | 14 min
Director: Drew Dickler
Producers: Nikki F. Heyman, Jennie Kamin, David Sherwin
A filmmaker travels back to 1997 to revisit a second grade memory that centers around her queer identity, her legendary PE teacher, and a mysterious large plastic fish.
GENDER REVEAL
Canada | 13 min
Director: Mo Matton
Producer: Léonie Hurtubise
Rhys winds up at their boss’ gender reveal party with their two partners. The trans throuple soon realizes that they are dealing with more than they were prepared for.
MEAN GOALS
USA | 18 min
Director/Writer: Ahuatl Amaro
Producers: Fanfan Zhou and Barbara Lettieri
An adorkable gay Latino joins an LGBTQ soccer team to bond with his father struggling with Alzheimer’s over their shared passion for the sport.
TAKE CARE
USA | 12 min
Director/Writer: Brittany Ashley
Producers: Henry Loevner, Brittany Ashley
A self-destructive woman deliberately injures herself to be taken care of by an ER nurse she’s grown attached to.
THE LAST STORY ON EARTH
USA | 18 min
Director/Writer/Producer: Aaron Immediato
Facing protesters, a drag queen does her best to finish a fairy tale reading at the local library. But when an alien invasion upends Earth’s existence, the queen encounters challenges that carry terrifying outcomes for humanity.
THE NEW GARDENER
USA | 16 min
Director: Ryan Parma
Producers: Harrison Pierce, Regina Pigsley
A married couple living in Palm Springs, California, finds its relationship put to the test by the arrival of a very handsome, very criminal young man posing as their new gardener.
