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Stories of Jesus if he were gay, passion between masked Mexican wrestling, and intensely competitive rowing were among the highlights of NewFilmmakers Los Angeles’ InFocus: LGBTQ+ Cinema program.
The Pride celebration consisted of two InFocus: LGBTQ+ shorts programs and the Los Angeles premiere of writer-director Honey Lauren’s debut feature narrative Mistake, about a family struggling with the birth of their intersex baby in 1941, and how their decision shapes many lives.
“In telling Larry Benson’s story, I’m not only exploring his struggle to exist within a world that doesn’t see him — I’m also honoring the part of myself that’s still learning how to exist within mine,” says Lauren, an NFMLA alumni and award-winning writer, director, and actress, of her debut feature.
June also marked FIFA World Cup 26 in Los Angeles with an exciting June Shorts program that spotlighted FIFA participant countries. The festival was also additionally supported by Hollywood icon, Technicolor. You can discover more about the legacy of Technicolor here.
NFMLA showcases films by filmmakers of all backgrounds throughout the year, across both our general and InFocus programming. All filmmakers are welcome and encouraged to submit their projects for consideration for upcoming NFMLA Festivals, regardless of the schedule for InFocus programming, which celebrates representation by spotlighting various communities of filmmakers as part of the NFMLA Monthly Film Festival. This project is made possible in part by grant support from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
Here are biographies and intervires with the moviemakers, courtesy of NFMLA.
“Dark Roast,” directed by Mark Marquez
About Mark: Mark Marquez is an L.A.-raised, New York based Filmmaker. He graduated from the Made in New York Production Assistant Training Program and holds certifications from BRIC Studios for Video Editing and In-Studio Producing. He has worked on multiple projects for Netflix, Apple TV and CBS while simultaneously working on short films and web series to gain all the possible experience that he can. Mark was a writer semi-finalist for the NBC’s ’22 Nosotros YaTuSabes Monologue Slam and in 2024 was tapped by fashion designer and brand, Willy Chavarria, to co-direct a short film for the AW24 Collection opening his NYFW show and took home Grand Prize at ASVO Fashion Film Festival. His short film “Dark Roast” screened at many festivals including NYLFF, Newfest and won the Audience Award at Baby Teeth Film Festival and was interviewed for Queer Voices: NYC x CUNY TV highlighting Queer Filmmakers of Color.
About “Dark Roast”: When a small, Queer/Trans-BIPOC Cafe, ran by the community for the community, is being threatened to be evacuated by a monstrous franchise, it is up to our baristas to keep their lights and bites in business before construction starts… by any means necessary.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Mark Marquez, the director of “Dark Roast”:
“Blossoms,” directed by Pearson Kunz
About Pearson: Pearson, a process-forward director and producer based in Portland, Oregon, is dedicated to crafting films and theatre that explore identity’s impact on communal creations. After earning their BA in Film at the University of New Orleans, Pearson founded Golden Pride Productions to create award-winning shorts that foster inclusive storytelling. They are committed to leveraging community connections to empower marginalized voices and challenge cultural norms across the globe.
About “Blossoms”: Just before moving away, Darnell becomes an unexpected mentor and home for a young queer person, Zavin, who’s come to Portland to escape the same small town they both grew up in.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Pearson Kunz, the director of “Blossoms”:
“Gay Jesus,” directed by Aaron Jin
About Aaron: So far, Aaron Jin’s filmmaker career seems to be one big, long gay joke. Aaron is also an actor, starring in the Duplass Brothers Productions’ series Penelope and Wes Hurley’s Potato Dreams of America. Recently, Aaron starred in one-person show Buyer and Cellar, featured on Studio 13 in his hometown of Seattle. Aaron is working on his next short and proof of concept, a gay high school rom-com. “Gay Jesus” is eyeing LGBTQ+ festivals in Europe and looking for digital distribution.
About “Gay Jesus”: Jesus tries to save humanity and fulfill his purpose on earth, but he is gay.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Aaron Jin, the director of “Gay Jesus”:
“Rob Roy,” directed by Enrique Mendoza
About Enrique: Enrique A. Mendoza is a Guatemalan film director whose work moves between cultures. He grew up in Guatemala City and came to the U.S. to study film at Full Sail University, starting his career directing companion documentaries at Participant Media for films like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. His short films have screened at SCAD Savannah, Newport Beach FF, Beverly Hills, FF, CURTAS in Spain, and AFRIFF in Nigeria. He splits his time between narrative filmmaking and commercial work, having directed campaigns for Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll.
About “Rob Roy”: In a grimy, after-hours bar, a nervous young thief attempts to quickly return stolen mob money but instead ignites a dangerous confrontation where the brutal price of every decision becomes impossible to escape.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Enrique Mendoza and Ren Olivieri, the director and writer of “Rob Roy”:
“El Corazon,” directed by Oscar Simmons
About Oscar: Oscar Simmons is a London-based English/Mexican film director who has made short films since the age of 6, winning his first award at age 12. He has won numerous awards such as the jury prize at The British Short Film Awards, as well as being long listed for a Student Academy Award and being selected for film festivals around the world such as Kyiv International Film Festival, Camerimage, Mallorca International Film Festival, BFI Future Film, Cinemagic Young Filmmaker and Cinespace. Oscar was awarded a first class degree from the University of Edinburgh after completing a degree in Film & TV and has a masters degree in Directing Fiction at The National Film and Television School. He has now signed with his agent at 42 and is developing his debut feature.
About “El Corazon”: In the vibrant world of 1950s Mexican wrestling, an upcoming luchador, El Corazón, is consumed with a lust for vengeance towards the world’s most renowned wrestler, El Tigre.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Oscar Simmons the director of “El Corazon”:
“something still,” directed by Ariel Mahler
About Ariel: Ariel Mahler (she/they) is an award-winning writer/director whose work explores identity, alienation, and the deeply human desire for belonging, through a distinctly queer lens. Her films have screened at renowned venues including Toronto’s TIFF Lightbox, the Hammer Museum, and the TCL Chinese Theatre. Her AFI thesis film “Re-Entry” won the Audience Award for Best LGBTQ+ Short at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival and Best Short at Katra Film Series, with additional festival screenings worldwide. Her acclaimed short documentary “Evan Ever After” won the Audience Award for Best Florida Short at the Florida Film Festival and jury prizes at Out on Film Atlanta and Stamped Film Festival. Ariel is an MFA directing graduate from the AFI Conservatory.
About “something still”: When a heartbroken man returns to his ex-boyfriends’ apartment, they’re forced to confront the aftermath of a boundary they chose to blur.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Eva Papadakou the producer of “something still”:
“Dick’s-A-Thon,” directed by Dylan Young
About Dylan: Dylan is an Emmy nominated documentary editor with shows on Apple, FX, Starz, ESPN, and more. “Dick’s-a-thon” is his directorial debut.
About “Dick’s-A-Thon”: 26.3 Miles. Five Dick’s. Five Meals. One wild tradition to honor a friend, and give back to the outdoors. Learn about Seattle’s most unique marathon, and the touching story behind it.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Dylan Young the director of “Dick’s-A-Thon”:
“Fly,” directed by Carlton Daniel
About Carlton: Carlton Daniel Jr. (he/they) is a Cleveland-born writer-director exploring coming-of-age, be/longing, and love through Black and LGBTQIA+ American life. Their award-winning short, “Monogamish,” screened at 20+ festivals, premiering at Outfest LA. Their follow-up, “Homegoing,” played at Academy and BAFTA qualifying festivals, including Palm Springs ShortFest, ABFF, and Atlanta. Daniel is currently developing a feature adaptation of “Homegoing.” selected for the Outfest Screenwriting Lab and Tribeca/AT&T Untold Stories. They also wrote and directed an episode of Hulu’s Bite Size Halloween. Daniel holds an MFA in Film from Syracuse University.
About “Fly”: When a ballet company holds auditions for a competitive apprenticeship, a perfection-driven dancer has their world upended by a rival who rekindles their love for the craft.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Carlton Daniel the director of “Fly”:
“Mistake,” directed by Honey Lauren
About Honey: Honey Lauren is an award-winning writer, director, and actress with more than 100 credits. Her short “Wives of the Skies” won more than 40 awards and was distributed worldwide. Both “Dot Got Shot” and “Happy Hands” won multiple awards. Her documentary, Happy Hands, featuring Tippi Hedren, also qualified for Academy Award consideration. Her screenwriting has been recognized by the Austin Film Festival and Slamdance. Lauren’s debut feature as writer-director, Mistake, produced by Brad Wyman (Monster), recently won Most Inspirational Feature at the Sedona International Film Festival and won Best Feature at Through Women’s Eyes. Lauren writes character-driven films with emotionally grounded storytelling.
About “Mistake”: In 1941, somewhere in the American South, a child is born between the sexes, intersex, and the family must choose: boy or girl?
Watch the NFMLA interview with Honey Lauren the director of “Mistake”:
“Gummy Worms,” directed by Sophie Lee Bennett
About Sophie: Lee Bennett is a director, producer, and writer who has been published in several literary magazines and has written/directed several award-winning short films including “Gummy Worms,” which won Best Film at 29Queer and screened at Femtasia. They also produced “Mother Tongue,” a Netflix-funded short film through the Tasveer production grant made in association with Sundance. It is currently in post-production. Most recently they directed Drenched, a one-act play that won it’s program at the Queens Short Play Festival.
About “Gummy Worms”: When zir partner is killed, a sheltered rookie agent discovers that the world ze trusted was never what it seemed.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Sophie Lee Bennett the director of “Gummy Worms”:
“You Don’t Like Cake?,” directed by Michael Schwartz
About Michael: Michael D. Schwartz is an editor, writer, and director originating from Arlington, Virginia. He is now based in Los Angeles. Starting with a career in editing, he applies an editor-first mindset of precision and planning in his writing and directing style to tell character-driven stories about identity, self-esteem, and differing perspectives. His latest film, “You Don’t Like Cake?,” is a surreal drama that contains autobiographical elements drawn from when he first came out as asexual. The making of this film served not only as a chance to give a voice to a rarely represented orientation but also as a journey that made him more secure in his identity.
About “You Don’t Like Cake?”: An inexperienced young man tries to overcome his insecurities on his next date before his engaged brother visits.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Michael Schwartz, the director of”You Don’t Like Cake?”:
“Pink Oz’s,” directed by Tierra Frost
About Tierra: Tierra “TT” Frost is a filmmaker from Seattle and an MFA candidate at Chapman University’s Dodge College. Her independent shorts, often centered on marginalized communities, have garnered over 100,000 views online and screened at festivals across the West Coast. TT is currently a Film Development Intern at MACRO and a Screening Intern at BlackStar Film Festival, with previous experience at JuVee Productions. She has worked as a creative director, supporting projects like Kai Cenat’s Global Pursuit (23M+ views), and is a 2025 GLAAD Black Queer Creative Cohort member. A former history teacher and coach, TT brings a grounded, human-centered perspective to stories exploring connection, transformation, and emotional depth.
About “Pink Oz’s”: Khris, a shy lesbian haunted by a greek chorus of judgmental church ladies in her head, must silence her internalized shame and confront romantic rivalry at her art gallery job to finally embrace her sexuality and pursue love.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Tierra Frost the director of “Pink Oz’s”:
“Row Your Boat,” directed by Brian Golden
About Brian: Brian Golden is a neurodivergent choreographer and filmmaker whose work explores the intersection of movement, text, and object-based performance. Born with dyspraxia and an auditory processing disorder, his understanding of movement, coordination, and sensory experience is shaped by navigating the world through difference. His choreography has been presented at the Museum of Modern Art, Jacob’s Pillow, the Southern California Institute of Architecture, and The Joyce Theater. His work centers disability aesthetics, immersive environments, and the relationship between body and object. He studied Dance and Film Production at Chapman University and holds an MFA in Choreography from the California Institute of the Arts.
About “Row Your Boat”: A visceral, movement-driven story following three male rowers whose escalating competition, need for validation, and internalized shame collide as they push their bodies to the brink, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality in a relentless pursuit of acceptance.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Brian Golden the director of “Row Your Boat”:
“G L O R Y,” directed by Kai Kim and Billy Griffin, Jr.
About Kai: Kai Kim is a queer, non-binary, Korean-American artist. Kai has created, directed, and consulted on numerous theatrical experiences. They have directed dance concept videos, music videos, and short films. They are a certified personal trainer and a cat-dad to some perfect fur babies.
About “G L O R Y”: In the wake of the sudden death of his long-term boyfriend, Benji’s obsession with glory holes leads him on a psychedelic journey through the annals of his own queer consciousness.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Billy Griffin, Jr. the writer and producer of “G L O R Y”:
Main image: “Row Your Boat,” courtesy of NFMLA.