Documentary films

To find these resources through your local library, please use the invaluable Worldcat.org and search by Title or Director or use the search box below!

Act of Faith. Dir. Daniel Bree, 2006. 7 minutes

This very short film examines three very different Muslim men’s relationships with their Muslim faith and how they’ve struggled to live as openly gay men because of the cultural and religious disapproval. One has given up his faith altogether, as he was unable to reconcile faith and sexuality. The others have complicated relationships with both. The film doesn’t provide and answers to this dissonance – indeed, no film of any length likely ever could. Instead, this short production functions as a firm “we are here” announcement and a powerful encouragement to the religious establishment to modernize its thinking on contemporary issues.

Affirmations.  Dir. Marlon Riggs, 1990. 10 minutes

In another under-seen, uplifting gem from Marlon Riggs, this short seeks to celebrate the experience of being gay and Black in America. Despite the constant threats of racism and homophobia, HIV/AIDS, depression, and general persecution, gay, Black men have survived and find love, peace, and happiness in a hostile world. In this film, Riggs focuses on the positive aspects of being “in the life” and how those aspects help the community thrive. Like all of Marlon Riggs’s films, exponentially more ideas and content are explored than should even be possible in the runtime.

All God’s Children. Dir. Dee Mosbacher, Frances Reid, Sylvia Rhue, 1996. 26 minutes

This seminal documentary short explicitly and expertly explores the intersections of racism and homophobia and focuses on the struggle of organized religion and religious African-American queer people to find space for each other. It also makes a compelling argument that the homophobia many Black people have experienced from Black religious communities is a natural offshoot of the crippling racism those communities have endured. The film consists largely of interview vignettes of preachers, LGBT people, their families and some politicians (including, thrillingly, a young Rep. Maxine Waters offering full-fledged support to LGBT people) and the insights they offer make this an essential artifact in the representation of QPOC in film.

All In My Family. Dir. Hao Wu, 2018. 46 minutes

In this intimate and endearing short documentary, director Hao Wu, an immigrant to the United States from China, explores the fallout in his eccentric but loving family when he and his partner choose to have two children via surrogacy. Hao’s coming out has caused some conflict in his family before and, as a result, he is not out to his grandfather. However, suddenly showing up in China with two children raises many questions and Hao must decide whether to tell his grandfather the whole truth. Despite its short runtime, this delightful film provides meaningful insights on culture clash, family expectations, maturation, and the upsides and pitfalls of the truth.

Anthem. Dir. Marlon Riggs, 1991. 9 minutes

This infectiously pulse-pounding long-form music video/experimental film audaciously combines music, poetry, provocative imagery, and myriad dance styles to ruminate on, critique, challenge, celebrate, and otherwise delve into contemporary Black, gay culture. Sly but insightful critiques are also directed at the derision of queer people in Black popular culture and the simultaneous disrespect of Black people in the gay community. Characteristically thought-provoking for documentarian Marlon Riggs, this short film is evocative, erotic, illuminating, upsetting and, ultimately, endlessly rewatchable. It highlights the enormity of the loss of Riggs as a filmmaker and the crushing void he left behind.

Black is…Black Ain’t. Dir. Marlon Riggs, 1994. 87 minutes

In Marlon Riggs’s final film, he deeply and insightfully explores toxic masculinity, long before that phrase had entered the mainstream, and how it interacts with historical oppression, internalized racism, misogyny and homophobia in the Black community in tremendously destructive ways. Angela Davis, bell hooks, Cornel West and other impressively prominent Black thinkers and activists discuss a whole array of hot topics that have and continue to galvanize Black people, while challenging assumptions within the Black community that have problematic elements, such as organized religion, Afrocentrism and perceptions of the Black body. Marlon Riggs’s own body, ravaged by AIDS during the production of the film also becomes part of the focus and discourse in truly touching and profound ways. This is the kind of animating doc that has you talking back to the screen. A feat of all-time, top-notch documentary filmmaking, this film punctuates what a tremendous loss Marlon Riggs was to the LGBT, QPOC and “mainstream” artistic communities.

Black/Womyn: Conversations with Lesbians of African Descent. Dir. Tiona McLodden, 2008. 90 minutes

In this engrossing and deeply human documentary, dozens of Black-identified lesbian women share observations on myriad facets of life, including love, labels, religion, personal fulfillment, and all manner of adversities. Some anecdotes are hilarious, others are tearjerkers, but all are full of refreshing and beautiful insight. What makes this film so indispensable is the unbelievably wide range of lived experience discussed. Women of different faiths, shades, classes, education levels, and ages all illuminate the unbounded of diversity of those living at these intersections. This is an endlessly enlightening film – one you almost wish was longer.

Body of a Poet. Dir Sonali Fernando, 1995. 29 minutes

A haunting, lush and moving examination of the complex and powerful work and life of the legendary poet Audre Lorde. This film explores its subject with gratitude and respect for her tremendous contributions, but instead of pure adulation, it instead opts to examine the often difficult and subjective nature of Lorde’s tremendous contributions with maturity, intelligence, and propulsive vitality. Interweaving dramatic reenactments, passionate discussion, and performance art, this vivacious film breathes life into Lorde’s life and work and accentuates their importance with the magnificent imagery and the thoughtfulness they deserve.

Brincando El Charco: Portrait of a Puerto Rican.  Dir. Frances Negron-Muntaner, 1996. 58 minutes

This stylish, poetic, boisterous film breathlessly weaves heartfelt interviews with dramatic, documentary, and avant-garde elements to explore the complexities and intersections of Puerto Rican identity. LGBT issues such as the AIDS epidemic and culturally rooted homophobia are explored at length but what sets this film apart is its deep understanding of how those issues intersect with manifestations of racism, such as colorism and cultural and linguistic snobbery. This film is far ahead of its time in its holistic portrayal of queer Puerto Ricans specifically and QPOC broadly.

Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin. Dir. Nancy Kates and Bennett Singer, 2002. 83 minutes

A respectful, often reverent retrospective on the life of Bayard Rustin, one of the most important civil rights activists in American history. This film was influential in re-shining the spotlight on Rustin who was a pivotal force in organizing many of the most impactful demonstrations of the Civil Rights Movement, including the 1963 March on Washington. Despite his contributions, his career and his legacy have both been severely compromised by the homophobia inherent in all corners of American society, as well as his adamant espousal of nonviolent principles as well as his embrace of aspects of neo-conservatism, both of which were not in sync with his contemporary activists. Rustin’s influence and impact on the successes of the Civil Rights Movement are undeniable, however, and this film goes a long way toward correcting the historical record. Its efforts occasionally veer towards heroification of its subject, but this film remains a fantastic examination of the complex life of a crucial, outspoken activist, who was ahead of his time.

El Canto del Colibri. Dir. Marco Castro-Bojorquez, 2015. 53 minutes

Immigrants from Latin American nations have not had nearly the voice or representation they deserve in media – certainly not LGBTQ immigrants and their families. This documentary focuses on families with LGBTQ members, and how the patriarchs of those families have wrestled with unlearning homophobic and transphobic attitudes prevalent in both their nations of origin and in America. The film draws wise connections between the types of racism and xenophobia these immigrants have faced and their fears for what their family members will face, all without equating prejudices or oversimplifying. The families tell insightful and fascinating stories of love and acceptance, but also the hard work they’ve had to do to put family above intolerance. This inspiring film is a vital teaching tool and a long overdue amplification of voices silenced.

Check It. Dir. Dana Flor and Toby Oppenheimer, 2016. 91 minutes

This wildly provocative documentary focuses on members of the Check It gang, a group of mostly Black LGBT youths in the Washington D.C. area who got together for protection and eventually grew into a violent, feared, and dominant force in the region. LGBT hate crimes are disproportionately high in the D.C. area and, instead of being picked off as targets, Check It seeks to turn the tables on homophobic criminals. The aspirations, hopes, and dreams of these gang members are explored, as well as the innumerable barriers to escaping the tumultuous perils of gang life in D.C. A subplot of the film, for example, involves many of gang members gaining to opportunity to channel their unique perspectives and fashion sense into a chance at putting on a polished fashion show, with an opportunity to progress to an internship and perhaps a new lease on life. Alternately scary, sad, and hilarious, this film documents the lives of QPOC who have been forced to fight for their place and for their space in a society that has abandoned and targeted them for extinction. One may disagree with their methods but their stories are of perseverance, self-respect, and gritty determination.

Coming Out, Coming Home. Dir. Hima B., 1996. 44 minutes

Touching stories of Asian-American families actively working together to overcome their own homophobia and regressive attitudes propel this landmark documentary. Four families, 3 Chinese-American and 1 Filipino-American, tell their stories of what happened when a child comes out as gay or lesbian. They discuss their initial reactions, often informed by misinformation or cultural mores, and how they placed the values of love and family over prejudice. Still relevant today, this uplifting short documentary provides a roadmap and inspiration for families, often steeped in homophobia and misogyny, with LGBT members.

De Colores. Dir. Peter Barbosa and Garrett Lenoir, 2001. 28 minutes

This quietly uplifting documentary short features a series of interviews with Latinx families about their struggles with family members coming out, the fear and conflict this brought to the surface, and how the families matured past the homophobia and usually grew closer. A common theme amongst the parents and siblings of queer family is being confronted with the often homophobic assumptions and mores of society, religion, and culture and learning how to process and prioritize family over prejudices. Though not intended to be representative of a universal Latinx experience, it does provide numerous lessons of growth and acceptance. The voices represented here will be especially useful to parents and families of QPOC.

Dreams Deferred: The Sakia Gunn Film Project. Dir. Charles B. Brack, 2008. 54 minutes

This infuriating and powerful documentary examines the aftermath of the brutal murder of a 15-year-old African-American girl in Newark in 2003. Sakia Gunn and her friends were propositioned by two men at a bus stop. Gunn turned them down, boldly identifying herself as a lesbian, which prompted the men to attack and subsequently kill her. This film explores the brutal impact of this killing on Gunn’s family, friends and community while also ambitiously zooming out to examine a number of related issues including pockets of homophobia in the Black community, stud culture in lesbian communities, and the wide disparity in the coverage of this crime compared to Matthew Shepard’s murder and the racism and classism inherent in that disparity. This film’s ability to juggle all of its topics in its short run time while always managing to center Sakia Gunn and her family, both blood and chosen, is truly impressive.

Free Cece. Dir. Jac Gares, 2016. 87 minutes

The case of Chrishaun “CeCe” McDonald became an international cause célèbre after she was attacked in a racist, transphobic, and homophobic incident and killed a man in her self-defense. Instead of authorities accepting her self-defense plea, they planned to send her to prison for 40 years on a murder charge. CeCe was pressured into accepting a plea deal after aggressive interrogation, transphobic media coverage, and enduring unsafe jail conditions. This documentary explores not just the story of that incident and the movement that emerged to agitate for her release, but also her life story before and after prison, the impact of the ordeal on CeCe and her family and friends, and her own activist awakening after her incarceration and it does so with almost radical fairness, including in interviews with people who decided to prosecute her aggressively. What sets this documentary apart, is how it really drives home the fact that, though CeCe is most known for a hate-crime incident and ensuing injustice, the totality of her is so much more. The inherent injustices of the prison system and rampant dangers of being a Trans woman of color are explored from a number of angles. If the film has a weakness, it is perhaps that it tries to interrogate too many issues and so it can’t examine any of them in any great depth, but this is a film that’s more of a call to action than a dissertation. It’s a film that inspires you to challenge yourself to stop being complacent about injustice.

Honored by the Moon. Dir. Mona Smith. 1990, 15 minutes

This powerfully short documentary of self-discovery and self-affirmation focuses on the experiences of gay, lesbian, and two-spirit Native Americans of various communities (largely Lakota and Ojibwe) and their experiences coming to terms with some negative lessons their communities have taught them about non-heteronormative life. For such a short film, an impressively wide range of topics are discussed including, importantly, how the homophobic cultures of European colonizers poisoned the cultures of Native communities that had no real longstanding history of homophobia. The strength of this film lies in its reliance on first-hand accounts and primary images. No other context is required – the stories speak for themselves. This short is, in many ways, ahead of its time.

I Exist. Dir. Peter Barbosa and Garrett Lenoir, 2003. 55 minutes

Through a series of empowering and insightful interviews, this documentary explores the experiences of gays and lesbians in Middle Eastern communities. One of the great strengths of this film is its diversity of representation and perspective. Heartbreaking stories of being excommunicated from family are balanced by accounts of families who have been brought closer by a family member coming out. The result is bittersweet but ultimately very affirming, amplifying the voices of people who have largely been invisible in media representation.

In God’s House. Dir. Lina Oshino, 2006. 22 minutes

In the tradition of Hima B.’s Coming Out, Coming Home, this short documentary focuses on Asian-American families, specifically devoutly Christian and Catholic families, who have gay and lesbian family members. Very clearly intended as a conversation-starter within families and church communities, In God’s House addresses family and religious responsibilities to LGBT members and how they have often failed at living up to those responsibilities, often with devastating consequences. In addressing the toxic hypocrisy that leads to negative outcomes for Asian-American LGBT folks, this uplifting film also makes the case for radical love as a healing balm for communities torn about by religious- or culturally-informed prejudice.

Kiki. Dir. Sara Jordeño, 2016. 96 minutes

This deeply affecting spiritual sequel to the classic Paris is Burning closely examines Ball and Drag culture almost 30 years later, specifically focusing on a number of mostly Black and Latinx queer and trans performers trying to learn, survive and thrive in sometimes very harsh realities. Though Kiki is clearly channeling and building on its predecessor, its artistic ambition and intense interest in painting deeply human portraits of its subject are simply remarkable. Kiki also zooms out beyond just the ballroom scene and focuses on several issues including the continued devastation of homophobia, transphobia, and HIV/AIDS despite years of ostensible progress, as well as the complex reasons people choose to transition and, fascinatingly, what life after retiring from drag looks like. This is a must-see.

Kumu Hina. Dir. Joe Wilson, 2013. 77 minutes

Hina Wong-Kalu, the driven, talented and intrepid protagonist, shines and brings to life this emotional docudrama about the Māhū tradition (analogous but not identical to two-spirit or transgender identities) in Hawaiian cultures and the joys and struggles that accompany modern Māhū lives in Hawaii. Hina uses her strength, determination and deep knowledge of Hawaiian traditions to teach and mentor young students, especially girls who seek to excel in traditionally male spaces. A significant and uniquely insightful subplot of the film focuses on the complexities and expectations of love and marriage as a Trans woman in America.

Major! Dir. Annalise Ophelian, 2015. 95 minutes

With a fresh visual style, this documentary discusses the crisis of mass incarceration disproportionately affecting Trans people of color in America through the lens of the long history of activism planned, led, and executed by Miss Major Griffin-Gracy. Miss Major, thoroughly respected and beloved by her community, is one of the foremost and most respected Trans activists in American history. Bookended by inspirational messages of the resiliency of the Trans community, this beautiful documentary is a riveting tribute to a powerful activist and an important overview of the history of Trans activism.

Mala Mala. Dir. Dan Sickles and Antonio Santini, 2014. 88 minutes

This energetic and highly stylized documentary examines the unique experiences of trans people living in Puerto Rico. Against the backdrop of the historic fight to pass Law 238-2014, which banned employment discrimination in Puerto Rico based on sexual orientation and gender identity, we follow the experiences of a dozen trans Puerto Ricans as they navigate activism, making a living, transphobia, and the difficult business of finding their true communities. This vigorously infectious documentary shines a light on people and a unique American experience that is widely overlooked.

Milind Soman Made Me Gay. Dir. Harjant Gill, 2002. 26 minutes

A collection of queer men from Indian and Pakistani backgrounds, and many different cultural and family traditions, describe how the intersections of their identities lead to unique and fascinating experiences in America, especially after Matthew Shepard’s murder and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This short film manages to touch on homophobia, islamophobia, alienation, and navigating dating, often interracial dating, in the 21st century. Its strengths are not necessarily in focusing on the difficult issues facing these men but in how they find inspiration, what keeps them motivated and what they want for their futures. This film fills an important gap with perspectives that have been alarmingly absent from the body of films giving voice to QPOC.

The New Black. Dir. Yoruba Richen, 2013. 75 minutes

In this hard-hitting but surprisingly evenhanded documentary, the campaign surrounding the 2012 Maryland ballot measure on same-sex marriage frames an examination of how LGBT rights are discussed in African American communities. Present are deep examinations of the positive and restorative role of religion in Black communities, but also how the Black church can be a breeding ground for intolerant opinions. The vast array of different opinions presented, from voters, clergy, QPOC activists, liberal and conservative activists, and civil rights leaders make this one of the most comprehensive documents about the evolution of the Black community on same-sex rights. This is an activating, exercising documentary – the kind that makes you want to yell at the screen in agreement, anger, and triumph. Or perhaps even in praise.

No Regret (Non, Je Ne Regretted Rien).  Dir. Marlon Riggs, 1993. 38 minutes

Perhaps Marlon Riggs’s most rare and underseen classic, this moving documentary short features interviews with five HIV-positive Black men facing mortality and ostracization. Despite the sadness of the topic, this film sings with hope instead of despair, disclosure and sex positivity instead of shame, and power and resilience instead of depression. The defiant courage and optimism of the film’s subjects inspire us to move past the toxicity of regret towards hope for the future, even against the toughest odds.

Paris is Burning. Dir. Jennie Livingston, 1990. 78 minutes

There isn’t much more to write about this barnstorming, iconic, groundbreaking, barrier-destroying, seminal documentary about drag and ball culture in New York in the 1980s. Still routinely shown 30 years later, this documentary shed light on an innovative and endlessly creative group of performers and their culture that the world still cannot get enough of. More than perhaps any other film on this list, Paris is Burning is absolutely essential viewing for QTPOC and, one might argue, the world. With equal parts humor, suspense, and tragedy, this film still stands as a testament to the power of documentary filmmaking. It simply must be seen.

South Beach on Heels. Dir. Dmitry Zhitov, 2014. 80 minutes

This warm and empathetic documentary focuses on the lives, trials and tribulations of professional drag queens, mostly of color, working in the South Beach area of Florida. Some of the featured queens, such as luminous and enchanting Latrice Royale, have achieved much exposure and mainstream success, and some still work tirelessly at their craft with a much lower profile and no guarantee of fame or even a steady paycheck. Deeply personal and heartfelt moments and insights into the lives of these drag performers set this documentary apart from the rest in this increasingly popular subgenre of drag documentaries.

Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four. Dir. Deborah Esquenazi, 2016. 91 minutes

This Peabody Award-winning documentary shines a spotlight on an infuriating miscarriage of justice involving 4 Latinx lesbian women accused of sexually assaulting a child. The jury, clouded by homophobia, racism, and an absurd fit of Satanic Panic, derailed these women’s lives by sentencing them to long jail sentences, despite the lack of any credible evidence. Along with the tireless efforts of family, activists, lawyers and a key witness who recanted their false testimony, this film was instrumental in their eventual release after more than a decade of jail time. In addition to telling the story of these remarkable, determined women, this documentary also serves as an exploration of how insidious racism and homophobia can trump the truth and justice in America’s criminal justice system.

Still Black: A Portrait of Black Transmen. Dir. Kortney Ryan Zeigler, 2008. 79 minutes

This sparsely produced, yet pioneering collection of interviews with 6 Black trans men features subjects at different points in their lives, from different classes and cities, and with different perspectives on identity and transitioning. Common underlying themes in this documentary involve self-discovery, find and losing community and the complexities of dating and relationships. This film successfully amplifies the voices of people from a demographic who have been historically rendered invisible in media.

Tongues Untied. Dir. Marlon Riggs, 1989. 55 minutes

Simultaneously perhaps the most controversial, infamous, and influential queer film of the 20th century, Marlon Riggs’s seminal and nonconformist documentary shattered the plague of silence around race and sexuality. With never-before-seen candor and boundless energy, Riggs savagely attacks the homophobia in the Black community and the racism of the gay community while simultaneously extolling the beauty of the Black body that has been so maligned and fetishized in culture. Despite being openly reviled and condemned by social conservatives upon its release, this documentary endured and changed the entire landscape of QTPOC representation on television and film forever. This is essential viewing.

Trappings of Transhood. Dir. Christopher Lee and Elise Hurwitz, 1997. 32 minutes

An audacious, energetic and groundbreaking examination of the unique experiences of 11 trans men from various walks of life in the 1990s. The wide-ranging topics discussed by the highly diverse group of interviewees include isolation, violence, the perils of navigating sex and dating, transphobia in the gay community, and intersectional issues like how coming out as trans can play out different in different ethnic communities. This film feels ahead of its time in many ways, but also sobering, as many of the issues the interviewees faced in the mid-90s have actually been amplified and worsened in the ensuing 20 years, rather than solved. Nevertheless, this is a fascinating glance at day-to-day concerns of trans people from a refreshingly diverse array of perspectives and experiences.

Treasure: From Tragedy to Trans Justice. Dir. dream Hampton, 2015. 61 minutes

When Shelly “Treasure” Hilliard, a young, Black trans woman, was murdered under mysterious circumstances, her family, along with the Detroit trans community, decided to agitate for answers and for justice. In this rousing documentary, we learn about the reverberations of this tragedy on the lives of Treasure’s family and friends, as well as the infuriating police malfeasance that led to the murder. Always engaging, and occasionally gorgeous, this film discusses issues facing trans women of color in a unique setting. The dire economic conditions facing the city of Detroit provide a profound backdrop to this bleak and urgent story.

Two-Spirit People. Dir. Michel Beauchemin, 1991. 23 minutes

This early, eye-opening documentary short examines the surprisingly widespread traditions of two-spirit people across many different Native cultures, as well as how contemporary Native gays, lesbians, and two-spirits have navigated life and coming-of-age. What’s fascinating about this film is that it makes clear that the recent pushback to ideas of a gender binary in much of mainstream Western culture is nothing remotely new in many cultures. Ways of knowing and ways of thinking from Indian cultures could provide much fuller understanding to modern conversations about the nature of gender.

U People. Dir. Hanifah Walida, 2009. 75 minutes

This self-styled “rockumentary” is an amazing curiosity in the best sense of the word. A group of queer Black and Latinx women come together to film a short film and music video, but Walida keeps the camera going beyond this project and catches a series of profoundly engaging conversations amongst the cast about the intersectionalities of living life as a Black lesbian in America. These discussions range from topics of privilege, being ignored by white LGBT activism, gender expression and quality of life, heteronormativity, and difficulty defining oneself when different identities and labels (bisexual, trans, lesbian, butch, femme, etc.) only partially apply to one’s experience. As these women express engagingly diverse opinions, the filming of the short film within this film provides an excellent narrative structure that grounds and focuses the film. Though they differ and disagree, they’re all working hard toward a meaningful end goal and it’s beautiful to behold.

Voguing: The Message. Dir. Dorothy Low, 1989. 13 minutes

This fast-paced introduction to the origins and culture of voguing and ball culture has perhaps been overshadowed a bit by Paris is Burning, which was released around the same time, but is nonetheless and excellent companion piece. As a primer, it very quickly orients the viewer to the terminology and the basic infrastructure of the NYC ball scene. In addition to this whirlwind introduction to the culture and how it adds value and meaning to the lives of its participants, we also get to see virtuoso performers like the legendary Willi Ninja practice their craft. This is an excellent addition to the canon, especially for those in a hurry.

The Worlds of Bernice Bing. Dir. Madeleine Lim, 2013. 35 minutes

This lean, brisk, and loving exploration of influential Chinese-American lesbian artist and activist Bernice Bing is an expertly crafted retrospective on her life and works. Bing’s tumultuous personal life, prolific artistic contributions, and intersectional issues in the art world are explored in surprising depth for a film of this runtime. This is a profound and emotional paean to one of art’s most unfairly overlooked pioneers is a worthy and eye-opening tribute.