The animated Lesbian Space Princess, documentary The Librarians and the buzzy Tom Blyth/Russell Tovey drama Plainclothes are among the high-profile films in one of the most diverse festivals in the country.
Atlanta’s preeminent, Oscar-qualifying film festival Out On Film today announced its provocative 2025 “Queer Propaganda”’-themed full lineup, marking the event’s 38th year of bringing the most anticipated LGBTQ+ films and documentaries to Southern audiences and nationwide via streaming. Festival ticket packages are available now at outonfilm.org. Presented by GILEAD, festival screenings, Q&As, and panels will take place at the historic Landmark’s Midtown Art Cinema and Out Front Theatre Company.
Out On Film 38 will offer 38 features and 105 shorts films. In all, Out On Film will host nine world premieres, four international premieres, 10 U.S. premieres and 32 regional premieres as part of the 2025 festival.
The Opening Night film set for the September 25-October 5, 2025 festival is the documentary I Was Born This Way directed by Daniel Junge and Sam Pollard, which spotlights how pioneering disco artist Carl Bean’s 1977 anthem became a cultural milestone for LGBTQ+ music. Through interviews with music legends such as Lady Gaga, Billy Porter, Questlove and Dionne Warwick, the story unfolds of Archbishop Bean’s groundbreaking impact on queer representation in mainstream culture in this exceptional, empowering documentary.
The festival’s six centerpiece films are the following:
- Assembly – A documentary feature directed by Rashaad Newsome and Johnny Symon and recipient of 2024’s inaugural Out On Film Filmmaker Fund Award, this film follows visionary artist Newsome as he transforms a historic military facility into a Black queer utopia, blending art, AI and performance. Through stunning visuals and deeply personal performances, the film captures the transformative power of creativity as a fractured community comes together to find strength, solidarity and liberation. See its trailer here.
- Exit Interviews – The debut feature from Atlanta Comedy Theater owner Garrett Abd, this independent film explores the complicated emotional terrain of love, regret and personal reflection through the lens of one man’s journey to confront the ghosts of his past relationships head on. Trailer
- Fairyland – Based on the acclaimed memoir of the same name by Alysia Abbott, this coming-of-age story is set against the backdrop of San Francisco’s vibrant cultural scene in the ‘70s and ’80s. Andrew Durham’s directorial debut is produced by Sofia Coppola and chronicles a father and daughter relationship as it evolves through an era of bohemian decadence to the sober and heartbreaking era of the AIDS crisis. The film stars Emilia Jones of CODA, Scoot McNairy, Cody Fern, Maria Bakalova and Bella Murphy with Adam Lambert and Geena Davis and newcomer Nessa Dougherty. Trailer
- Lesbian Space Princess – This crowd-pleasing, award-winning animated feature by Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese centers on a space princess thrust out of her sheltered life and into a galactic quest to save her bounty hunter ex-girlfriend from the “Straight White Maliens.” Trailer
- The Librarians – Documentarian Kim A. Snyder, hot off her 2025 Oscar-nominated Death By Numbers, showcases librarians emerging as first responders in the fight for democracy, free access to information and First Amendment Rights. When an unprecedented wave of book banning largely addressing race and LGBTQ+ issues is sparked in Texas, Florida and beyond, librarians under siege join forces as unlikely defenders fighting for intellectual freedom on the front lines.
- Plainclothes – Promising undercover agent Lucas (Tom Blyth), assigned to lure and arrest gay men at a shopping center, defies professional orders when he falls in love with a target, Andrew (Russell Tovey). Director Carmen Emmi’s gripping feature film charts the unexpected relationship between the two men and Lucas’ internal growth. This was a big hit at Sundance, reviewed here on SilverScreenCapture. Trailer
The festival’s Closing Night movie will be the heartwarming Irish feature Four Mothers, directed by Darren Thornton. A struggling novelist in Dublin, planning for an upcoming book tour, is forced to take care of three eccentric older women – and his own mother, recovering from a stroke – over the course of one chaotic weekend in Dublin in this warm and funny crowd pleaser. Starring James McArdle (Andor), this film won the Audience Award at the BFI London Film Festival.
In addition, Out On Film festival is honoring Actress/Singer-Songwriter/TransTech Social Enterprises Founder and CEO/Transgender Rights Advocate Angelica Ross of Pose as its 2025 Icon Award winner. Her award will be presented at an in-person, free ceremony at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema September 30 at noon.
“In a year where our rights are being threatened and taken away, it’s as important as ever to stand up and show we are around – and not going anywhere,” said Out On Film Festival Director Jim Farmer.
Regarding this year’s theme, Executive Director Justice Obiaya explains, “In a time when ‘Queer Propaganda’ is used as a political weapon to shame, censor, and vilify LGBTQ+ lives, we’re reclaiming it. At Out On Film, we’re turning the term on its head and making it our own. Queer Propaganda isn’t about pushing an agenda; it’s about telling the truth. It’s about reclaiming our right to be seen, to be heard, and to shape the narrative. Our stories build empathy. They reflect the world as it truly is: diverse, complex, and beautifully queer. In the face of rising backlash and politicized attacks, we’re not backing down. We’re leaning in, louder, prouder, and more united than ever.”
More films and events will be announced closer to the festival. Follow the festival here. And check out the trailer:
Andrew Nackman’s 4th Man Out (B+) is a funny and naturally charming comedy about a 24-year-old small-town everyman auto mechanic (Evan Todd) who comes out as gay to his entourage of three very heterosexual bros, played by a pack of TV comedy actors Parker Young, Chord Overstreet and Jon Gabrus. The dynamic of revealing his pent-up news to stunned, unsuspecting straight guys is rich territory for comedy and pathos, and the first-time filmmaker successfully delivers an indelible tale. Todd and Young in particular create a marvelous bond as they maneuver through the machinations of manhood and as the quartet redefines the rules of their relationships and routines. Hockey viewing, clubbing and poker night all take on a different lens with the hapless trio meaning well but hitting some awkward notes. Also compelling is Todd’s earnestness as he portrays a man trying on his newfound identity for size; he is a revelation in the role and carries the film’s emotional weight powerfully. Most of all, it’s frank and funny and plumbs an often unexplored dynamic. It was fun to watch a film evocative of some of my ’90’s favorites Chasing Amy and The Brothers McMullen.