Category: Adolescence

Short Film Spotlight: Burn Bridge

If you’ve ever harbored secret romantic feelings for a straight best friend, you’ll find a lot to relate to in Burn Bridge, a 15-minute slice-of-life drama from British writer-director Rhys Marc Jones.

Charlie Rice stars as Harry, a typically angst-filled teen whose hormonal frustrations have been causing him to act out in increasingly mischievous ways. That’s also partly due to the influence of Jamie, his roguish and perpetually horny best buddy played by Macaulay Cooper.

The two smoke pot and drink together, pull pranks and joke around in that mildly aggressive, boys-will-be-boys kind of manner. But all the while, Jamie remains aloof to Charlie’s growing desires.

Exploring his sexuality alone in the safe confines of his bedroom only does so much to alleviate Charlie’s deep longing. When Jamie starts hooking up with a local girl named Lucy, who has a friend she wants to set up with Charlie, jealousy rears its ugly head and those barely-concealed feelings start inching ever closer toward the light.

Filmed in a matter-of-face style, Burn Bridge offers up an unflinching examination of those lusty teen infatuations that can be hard to shake.

Watch a clip from Burn Bridge below. The full short film is now streaming on Dekkoo.

Two college buddies grow closer over four consecutive Valentine’s Days in this tender drama

Unfolding over the course of four years – or, more specifically, four consecutive Valentine’s Days – 4 Days is an achingly romantic drama from Filipino auteur Adolfo Alix Jr., which takes an intimate look at the complicated relationship between two college buddies.

Sebastian Castro stars as Derek, a seemingly typical straight dude who has had a string of girlfriends – none of whom he has hung onto for very long. All the while, after each break-up, his best friend Mark, played by Mikoy Morales, has been waiting on the sidelines – ready to clean Derek’s wounds while harboring secret romantic feelings of his own.

Through intrusive, carefully selected long takes, we’re invited to observe the pair year after year and witness as the tension between them escalates.

Morales and Castro give exceptional, often heartbreaking performances in this thoughtful and patient romance – wherein the awkward silences and furtive glances speak volumes.

Watch the trailer for 4 Days below. The film is now streaming on Dekkoo.

Short Film Spotlight: First Kiss

The new short film First Kiss follows Andi (Julio Bohigas-Couto), a shy teen living in a small commuter town who has yet to experience his first kiss with another boy.

The only person that even knows he’s gay is his straight older brother Raúl (Álvaro Lucas), who, though supportive, makes a sport of teasing him about losing his virginity. Today, though, Andi feels as if everything is about to change. He has his first official date with Néstor (Aritz Itoiz), a city-boy his own age whom he met on Instagram.

After traveling to Madrid on the train, he meets up with the adorable Néstor and his eyes are soon opened to a whole new world of acceptance. The pair peruse the literary offerings at a colorful queer book store, enjoy some penis-shaped pastries at a gay-friendly bakery, open up to one another about their coming-out experiences and finally, blessedly, find themselves locking lips before it’s time to say goodnight.

Their moment of joy is cut short, however, by the arrival of some less-than-tolerant passersby who haven’t learned how to mind their own business. By the end of the night, Andi has learned numerous lessons – some wonderful, some despicable – about openly gay urban life.

From writer-director Miguel Lafuente, First Kiss is a deeply heartfelt coming-of-age short about opening up to the people who love you and standing firm in who you are, regardless of what anyone else thinks.

Watch the trailer for First Kiss below. The film is now streaming on Dekkoo.

Alexandra Billings stars in the endearing and inspiring comedy-drama ‘Queen Tut’

‘Transparent’ actress Alexandra Billings stars in the endearing comedy-drama Queen Tut as a trans stage veteran who takes an aspiring seamstress and drag queen under her wings.

Following the death of his mother, Egyptian-raised teen Nabil (Ryan Ali) reluctantly moves to Toronto to live with his traditionally-minded father. There he meets Malibu (Billings) who is on her own crusade to protect Mandy’s, her drag nightclub and queer haven, from demolition.

The shy Nabil, wanting to learn how to sew like his late seamstress mother, finds a drag mentor in the exuberant Malibu, who makes all her own dresses.

As the boy begins to find his true self, the local community’s fight to save their favorite nightclub quickly escalates, pitting Nabil against his architect father and drag queens and queers against the gentrification-minded establishment.

Funny, inspiring and packed with memorable performances, Queen Tut is a rousingly entertaining and insightful coming-out drag tale which has left audiences cheering at film festivals all around the globe.

Watch the trailer for Queen Tut below. The film is now streaming on Dekkoo.

Short Film Spotlight: Leap Weekend

14-year-old David (Matías Álvarez) is spending summer vacation with his cousin Pamela (Camila Oliva) at her remote home in Chile. In the middle of an oppressive heatwave, her boyfriend Javier (David Vargas) arrives for an extended visit.

In David’s eyes, Javier is the epitome of cool. He quickly becomes something of an older brother figure for the shy and reserved teen – offering him his first sip of beer and even taking him out for driving lessons.

David soon becomes infatuated with the older man, stealing his used gum and taking an extra special interest in the clothes he leaves behind in the bathroom. As the heatwave intensifies, so does David’s desire for Javier – which leads to some less-than-wise decisions.

Featuring beautiful black and white cinematography, writer-director Daniel Rivera’s Leap Weekend has a timeless and deeply personal quality, perfectly capturing the intense rush of one young man’s first serious crush.

Watch a short clip from Leap Weekend below. This gorgeous 19-minute film is streaming now on Dekkoo.

Short Film Spotlight: Life In Love with Nick and Kaiden

Meet new couple Nick and Kaiden. They’re navigating an unconventional work life and the politics of London’s queer community, as well as their blossoming partnership. Will their relationship, first built on sexual desire and lust, turn into the year’s sweetest love story?

Love should be a safe space, and Nick and Kaiden have spent the first few weeks of their relationship crafting that intimate, personal enclave. Shaving one another’s butts, talking about the complexities of sex work, and clubbing at queer parties in Leeds – it’s all there.

As we find out, their tentative first steps together reflect how important it is to stay raw and playful with each other.

Filmed as part of a docudrama series exploring Gen Z’s relationships, trysts and every encounter in between, Life in Love with Nick and Kaiden has been released as a stand-alone short film offering a glimpse into the most intimate moments of one young couple’s blossoming love affair.

Watch the trailer for Life in Love with Nick and Kaiden below. The short documentary is now streaming on Dekkoo.

Short Film Spotlight: Paper Airplanes

A teen boy’s spiritual and sexual awakenings coincide in the poetic 17-minute short Paper Airplanes.

Santiago Cabrera stars in the film at Mateo, a young man who is living with his casually overbearing aunt while grappling with the loss of his mother.

In this vulnerable state, he finds himself unexpectedly connecting with the spiritual realm. Suddenly he’s being followed by the ghost of Enrique (Alex Orellana), a recently deceased classmate, who is rumored to have killed himself after his parents discovered that he was gay.

Comforted by Enrique’s spectral presence, the two grow increasingly closer. But is Mateo really experiencing supernatural visions – or is this his mind’s way of dealing with his own grief and repressed desires?

A meditative film from Ecuadorian writer-director Rob Mendoza, Paper Airplanes is a thoughtful and romantic queer ghost story, as well as a coming-of-age fable about growing into your own skin and learning to say goodbye.

Watch the trailer for Paper Airplanes below. The full short film is now available on Dekkoo.