John Badalu

An insight into 5 queer film festivals accompanied with the discussion about the importance of queer film festivals, queer film and people's experience with both.

At an Islamic school in Yogyakarta, all the adult students are transgender. Here, they can live the way they choose to—it’s a stark contrast with the hostile world outside. Despite the threats, they cheerfully go on with their work.

Stateless boat women drift through life without a sense of belonging, until one of them dares to dream, breaks the cycle, and begins a quiet fight for survival.

Ngatiyem and her grandson Okta live at Lentera, an orphanage in Solo for children with HIV. After the orphanage is relocated to a secluded cemetery, Okta and friends are expelled from school. As Okta's health declines, Ngatiyem becomes overwhelmed, struggling to provide the care and attention he desperately needs.

Monica scours archive material for answers to the question of how queer life in Berlin and the wish to be accepted by their Christian-Indonesian parents can be reconciled.

Two months after fleeing Myanmar and arriving in Paris, Phyo, whose status is uncertain, dreams of romance with another man. He dances freely with a sensual dancer in front of the Pont Neuf bridge, but trauma and desire become a trap.

During COVID second wave in Yangon, a lonely woman “Ma” lost her job as a kitchen helper in the restaurant. On her way back home, Ma gets a chance to meet her crush. She is waiting for him in her room with much excitement.

In a city when the ‘men’ have to go crazy about football, Akbar has to pretend to love football in order to prevent rejection.

When her father is arrested for political activism, Lily has to work in the beer station serving beer to customers. She immediately gets involved romantically with a karaoke singer named Moon.

A personal assistant in a Hindu ashram in Bali is torn between his charismatic Guru and an innocent recruit.

Martha is the daughter-in-law of MD Raya. Her Husband is the first son of MD Raya's twelfth wife. When Adi, Martha's husband, was studying at the University in Malang, Martha worked for MD Raya while waiting for her husband to come home. In the meantime, MD Raya is waiting for Adi to graduate with hope that he can get back his family's pride that was lost since he's not the head of the village anymore.

Filmed over six years across different parts of Thailand, the documentary follows three children as they grow through friendship, loss, confusion, silence, and change during their childhood.

Rektra was once recognized as the most promising and best screenwriter, winning continued success. He could work wherever he wanted to work at any time. However, as time goes by, both his talent and passion for the film seem to fade. He starts to think that making a sensual low-budget horror movie would benefit his life better. In order to overcome the slump, he tries to create an immortal masterpiece of his life inspired by his girlfriend who is an actress. Through her, he meets another woman who has no soul, and continues conversation without sense of time passing by. In the process of getting to know her, he realizes his ultimate passion is ignited

Former lovers Pich and Shane reconnect through Thai floral art, but Pich’s illness leads Shane to seek peace by becoming a monk.

Basri and Salma, a childless couple who run an Odong-Odong at the carnival, face mounting pressure at a family reunion that leads to the revelation of why they haven’t had a child.