Holding the Man

When: August 2

Where: iTunes, DVD/VOD

Director: Neil Armfield

Starring: Ryan Corr, Craig Stott, Anthony LaPaglia

Why We’re Excited: Chances are late Australian actor, writer and activist Timothy Conigrave wouldn’t have been aware of the impact his 1995 memoir would have on future generations of readers; readers who would be forever touched by Conigrave’s life and the love he and his partner of 15 years, John Caleo, shared in their all-too-brief time together. Neil Armstrong adapts Conigrave’s (who passed away shortly before the book was published) account of his many trials and tribulations while shining a light on what it was like to be a gay man during the early stages of the AIDS epidemic. Ryan Corr has the biggest shoes to fill as Conigrave—and has been receiving non-stop applause for his performance in the film. Craig Stott plays Caleo, with supporting performances from actors including Anthony LaPaglia, Clive Owen and Geoffrey Rush. The critical darling (and award-winning) Australian film kicks off this month’s list, hitting DVD and most streaming platforms, as well as VOD, on August 2.

Front Cover

When: August 5

Where You Can Watch: Theaters

Director: Ray Yeung

Starring: Jake Choi, James Chen

Why We’re Excited: When it comes to the year’s most noteworthy LGBT films, Ray Yeung’s sophomore feature Front Cover is definitely one of the growing subgenre’s most anticipated new releases. Premiering to charmed audiences at Seattle, Yeung’s fashion industry dramedy went on to play Outfest, TIFF and San Diego (where Yeung took home an award for best screenplay). Jake Choi plays sassy leading man Ryan, a New York stylist who’s anything but proud of his Asian American background. When he begins working with a new client (James Chen) their opposing personalities cause a positive reaction, with both characters embarking on an illuminating journey of self-discovery and acceptance. It’s probably safe to say Yeung has firsthand experience with his subject matter—you’re sure to notice the increase in confidence and overall polish in this film compared his 2006 debut feature, Cut Sleeve Boys.

Five Nights in Maine

When: August 5

Where: Theaters, VOD

Director: Maris Curran

Starring: Dianne Weist, David Oyelowo, Rosie Perez

Why We’re Excited: After an impressive festival run which kicked off at Toronto, Film Independent Fellow Maris Curran’s feature film debut is finally coming to cinemas and VOD. Curran’s film was supported by the LA Film Festival’s Fast Track and was produced by Fellows Carly Hugo and Drew Houpt. Boasting an amazing cast, this emotional gripping drama stars two-time Film Independent Spirit Award nominee David Oyelowo as Sherwin, a man consumed with grief after the tragic death of his wife. Sherwin travels to Maine to visit his estranged mother-in-law (Spirit Award and Oscar winner Dianne Wiest) who is battling her own maternal guilt and personal demons following her daughter’s passing. Spirit Award nominated actress Rosie Perez costars and there’s tremendous buzz surrounding Oyelowo (also a producer on the project) for delivering yet another four-star performance.

A Tale of Love and Darkness

When: August 19

Where: Theaters

Director: Natalie Portman

Starring: Natalie Portman

Why We’re Excited: Making her directorial debut, Spirit Award and Oscar winning actress Natalie Portman decided to choose something deeply personal to her roots. In Love, Portman (who has dual citizenship in both America and Israel) brings to life the autobiography of celebrated author Amos Oz, depicting the writer’s Jerusalem youth and relationship with his mother, who committed suicide when he was just 12-years-old. Portman follows Amos as he grows to be a successful writer while the conflict between Israel and Pakistan comes to a boil. Like many descendants of the region, the sensitive subject of Israel/Palestine warfare is something both Oz and Portman are dedicated to bringing to the forefront. Portman wears many hats, deepening the material and offering the perspective of Oz, famous not only for his writing and journalism, but also for being an advocate of the “two-state solution”. Portman’s first feature premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Camera, and also screened at the New York Jewish Film Festival.

Morris From America

When: August 19

Where: Theaters

Director: Chad Hartigan

Starring: Craig Robinson, Markees Christmas

Why We’re Excited: Another film that’s generated a ton of buzz around the world due to a jam-packed festival run is Spirit Award winning filmmaker Chad Hartigan’s latest feature, featuring a strong performance by Craig Robinson that’s rumored to be a total game-changer. Robinson stars as a professional soccer coach who is relocated to Heidelberg, Germany, accompanied by his eccentric son Morris (Markees Christmas in his feature debut). Morris sticks out like a sore thumb amongst his German classmates, but that doesn’t stop him from falling for a girl in his youth club who encourages him to share his gifts as a rapper with the other students. The film premiered at Sundance, where it won a Special Jury Prize as well as the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. So far so good for Hartigan, whose talents are only getting brighter and brighter with each project.

Downriver

When: August 23

Where: DVD/VOD

Director: Grant Scicluna

Starring: Reef Ireland, Kerry Fox

Why We’re Excited: Another Australian directorial debut that made a splash with critics and on the LGBT Film Festival circuit is Grant Scicluna’s mysterious drama Downriver. Reef Ireland gives a performance that’s been earning rave reviews as James, a young man who returns to his hometown after serving time for allegedly drowning a boy as a juvenile, leaving the community shocked and devastated. When the victim’s mother pays James a visit, he sets out on a mission to clear his name and discover the truth about what happened and who was responsible. The thriller premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival swept the FilmOut San Diego Festival, winning four major awards including Best Narrative Feature.

Southside with You

When: August 26

Where: Theaters

Director: Richard Tanne

Starring: Tika Sumpter, Parker Sawyers

Why We’re Excited: One of the year’s most unexpected cinematic love stories is how President Obama courted his First Lady—then known as Michelle Robinson. Grammy Award winner John Legend is the Executive Producer of Richard Tanne’s endearing re-imagining of how this historical White House couple first met in the summer of 1989. Audiences at Sundance gushed over the performances by Tika Sumpter and Parker Sawyers, who have been perfectly cast in the lead roles. Arguably perfectly timed for release as a bittersweet parting gift with the 2016 election approaching and the Obamas facing their moving day, Tanne’s charming drama focuses on romance, leaving the serious political jargon for the news channels. It’s the perfect summer love story—especially if you need a break from the media circus surrounding November 6.

The Intervention

When: August 26

Where: Theaters

Director: Clea DuVall

Starring: Clea DuVall, Melanie Lynskey, Natasha Lyonne, Cobie Smulders

Why We’re Excited: An indie darling in her own right, Clea DuVall has one of the most extensive filmographies of any young actor in the industry, starring in countless films and TV shows. So it comes as no surprise that DuVall has finally graduated to directing, with her first feature is being hailed as The Big Chill for a new generation. In the dramedy, four couples gather for a weekend getaway. Little do they know, an intervention has been planned for one of them, the unsuspecting victim’s marriage having reached a new level of public misery that has finally provoked their closest friends to intervene. The film competed for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance (where it premiered) and earning an acting prize for Melanie Lynskey, who (judging from the trailer alone) delivers one of this year’s can’t-miss performances. The film was also co-produced by Film Independent Fellow and 2016 Piaget Producers award Mel Eslyn.

Complete Unknown

When: August 26

Where: Theaters

Director: Joshua Marston

Starring: Rachel Weisz, Michael Shannon, Danny Glover, Kathy Bates

Why We’re Excited: In 2005, Joshua Marston won the Film Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay for his riveting debut feature, Maria Full of Grace. His latest film is a mind-bending thriller starring Spirit Award nominees Michael Shannon and Rachel Weisz. We don’t want to spoil too much, but the general synopsis involves Weisz making an unusual appearance at a dinner party Shannon is throwing with his wife. Questions begin once the host insists that he’s met this woman before—only she’s going by a different name now, along with an entirely unfamiliar backstory. Watch the mystery unravel as Marston keeps his viewers hooked on the edge of their seat awaiting each and every turn. Marston’s first feature in English premiered at Sundance and costars the sublimely talented Danny Glover and Kathy Bates.

 

The Hollars

When: August 26

Where: Theaters

Director: John Krasinski

Starring: John Krasinski, Anna Kendrick, Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Why We’re Excited: Office star John Krasinski juggles both acting and directing in his second feature, The Hollars, which played out of competition last month at the LA Film Festival. Krasinksi plays a New York transplant who leaves the Big Apple and his girlfriend behind and return to the Midwest when his mother (Margot Martindale) falls ill. Part Garden State, part The Graduate, the film features the supporting talents of Anna Kendrick as well as Film Independent Spirit Award nominated actors Mary Kay Place and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

 

 

Key

 Film Independent Fellow or Member
 LA Film Festival Alum
 Film Independent Spirit Award Winner or Nominee
 First-time Filmmaker
 Microbudget 
 Female Filmmaker 
 Filmmaker or Lead Characters of Color  
 LGBT Filmmaker or Lead LGBT Characters