These are ten feature films you shouldn’t miss at the Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival which will take place from September 8 – 23, 2023 in Hong Kong.

Egghead & Twinkie by Sarah Kambe Holland – USA | 2022 – 87 minutes
After coming out to her parents, seventeen-year-old Twinkie takes off on a road trip to meet her online crush with the help of her nerdy best friend, Egghead. As they make their way across the country, Egghead wrestles with his unrequited feelings for Twinkie, while Twinkie learns to embrace her identity as a gay mixed-Asian woman. (HKLGFF 2023)

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#LookAtMe by Ken Kwek – Singapore | 2022 – 108 minutes
Sean and Ricky are twin brothers. Sean’s girlfriend, Mia, invites them to attend church, and the boys find themselves in the midst of not only an Evangelical rock concert but a searing anti-LGBTQ sermon. Sean is outraged, and makes a video lampooning the church’s pastor without realizing how powerful the church can be. Soon afterwards, Sean is prosecuted for causing public obscenity, wounding the feelings of a religious group, and spreading fake news. He is put in prison, and comes close to losing his sanity. At the same time, galvanized by the injustice his brother is subjected to, Ricky, gains prominence as an LGBTQ activist. What will happen to the two brothers? And what of the church? In this entertaining and thought-provoking film, Kwek shows just how complicated culture wars can be the age of social media.(HKLGFF 2023)

My Sole Desire by Lucie Borleteau – France | 2023 – 117 minutes
Young new stripper Manon enters a strip club one day and believes she finally finds a place where she dares play with her body unhampered by matters of the heart, until she meets Mia who has to do more for her relationship with her boyfriend. A movie with so many hot actions that you should never miss! (HKLGFF 2023)

Opponent by Milad Alami – Sweden | 2023 – 119 minutes
After fleeing Iran in the wake of a ruinous rumour, Iman and his family find themselves seeking refuge in a rundown hotel in northern Sweden. As refugees, they grapple with their diminished sense of power, but Iman endeavors to maintain his role as the family patriarch. In a daring attempt to enhance their chances of being granted asylum, he breaks a promise to his wife and joins the local wrestling club. However, as the whispers of the past resurface, Iman is consumed by fear and desperation, confronting the greatest challenge of his life. OPPONENT is an enthralling film that delves into the struggles faced by refugees and the sacrifices made to protect one’ skin. (HKLGFF 2023)

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Out of Uganda by Rolando Cola, Josef Burri – Switzerland | 2022 – 65 minutes
OUT OF UGANDA is a powerful documentary that chronicles the struggles of four young LGBT Ugandans – Philip, Lynn, Hussein, and Shammy – as they fight to survive in a country where they face oppression and discrimination due to their sexuality. With their lives in constant danger, they have no choice but to leave their home behind and go into exile in search of safety. This emotional film shines a light on the harsh realities faced by LGBT individuals in Uganda and the difficult decisions they must make in order to live authentically and safely. (HKLGFF 2023)

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Punch by Welby Ings – New Zealand | 2023 – 98 minutes
PUNCH is a powerful and thought-provoking film that delves into themes of love, loyalty, and personal freedom. Jim, a talented young boxer, is on the brink of a promising career. However, his father, Stan, who is both his coach and an alcoholic, has sacrificed everything for Jim’s success. Things take an unexpected turn when Jim crosses paths with Whetu, a resilient gay Maori boy who dreams of leaving their small town to pursue music. As the two navigate the harsh realities of discrimination and small-town boxing, they confront the hidden prejudices that lie beneath the surface. Through their journey, Jim learns that true strength goes beyond mere heroism. In a world that claims acceptance, this film uncovers the truth about what it means to be gay in a society that still harbors prejudice. (HKLGFF 2023)

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So Damn Easy Going by Christoffer Sandler – Sweden | 2022 – 90 minutes
While trying desperately to figure out ways to get her ADHD medication to keep her buzzy brain in order, 18-year-old Joanna is trying to find solutions for her medication despite luck always running out from her family. Being creative, Joanna sells condoms for money, but in the midst of the chaos, the charming and confident Audrey appears. Joanna’s got both a bursting mind and an exploding heart to deal with. (HKLGFF 2023)

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The Dream Songs by Cho Hyun-chul – Korea | 2022 – 118 minutes
“I woke up from a dream and I was you.”
On the day before the school trip, Sam dreams an ominous dream of her best friend Ha-eun dying. Filled with fear, Sam runs to Ha-eun, who’s in the hospital because of the recent bicycle accident and asks her to come for the school trip with her. Two girls decide to sell Ha-eun’s camcorder to make money for the trip. On their way to sell the camcorder, Sam realizes her deepest concern that Ha-eun might not feel the same as how she feels about Ha-eun. She shows jealousy towards people around Ha-eun and it eventually tires her. After a big fight, Ha-eun disappears and Sam wanders around looking for her. (HKLGFF 2023)

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The New Employee by Kim Jho Gwang-Soo – Korea | 2023 – 115 minutes
You probably recognise the director’s name, KIMJHO Gwang-soo. He is known for his films MADE ON THE ROOFTOP (2021) and TWO WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL (2012), which both screened at HKLGFF. Based on the popular Korean web novel and award-winning Webtoon, THE NEW EMPLOYEE is a romantic movie, which BL fans must not miss. Fresh graduate Seung-Hyun is nervous and eager to please his new boss Jong-Chan (Kwon Hyuk). But Jong-Chan is demanding and strict which makes Seung-Hyun (Moon Ji-yong) work even harder to try to please him. Jong-Chan is touched by Seung-Hyun’s dedication and talent, and he begins to help him climb the corporate ladder. But what does Seung-Hyun really want – a career or a boyfriend? And will the workaholic Jong-Chan be able to provide either one or the other, or both? In this office, there certainly is love in the air! (HKLGFF 2023)

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Who I Am Not by Tünde Skovrán – Romania, Canada | 2023 – 103 minutes
Explore the complex realm of gender identity and its societal implications in WHO I AM NOT, a compelling documentary. Sharon-Rose Khumalo, a South African beauty queen, is thrust into an identity crisis upon discovering her intersex status. Desperate for guidance, she finds an unexpected ally in Dimakatso Sebidi, an intersex activist with a male-presenting appearance who couldn’t be more different from her. Through their intertwining stories, this intimate film sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals navigating a world structured around rigid male and female labels. WHO I AM NOT amplifies the voices of the intersex community, often overlooked and representing just two percent of the global population. (HKLGFF 2023)

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For more information, please visit: http://www.hklgff.hk/