It’s here! The official trailer for the 36th annual Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival 🌈
You can now view the full program guide and purchase tickets to #InsideOut26 on our website, insideout.ca 🫧 See you at the Festival!
Animations: Anoop Sidhu @merigoldesigns
Trailer: Yuxin Shi
Music: “Running Home” Performed by Jade LeMac @jadelemac
Courtesy of Warner Music Canada
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
For our 36th Festival, we’re centring shared connection: the sense of togetherness that has always defined Inside Out.
Inspired by collective effervescence, this year’s identity captures that electric feeling of gathering. From stadiums to cinemas, from the moment the buzzer sounds to when the credits roll 🫧
Created by Toronto-based artist @emmytran , the design reflects a collective identity that grows beyond the individual, bringing stories and people together as one.
Read more about our Festival Identity for 2026 on our blog!
#InsideOut26
For those with sensory sensitivities, we’ll have a Low Sensory Room available throughout the Festival. This calming space is designed for anyone who may need a quiet environment to de-stress, decompress, or regulate. 🌀
The room will open 30 minutes before the first screening of the day and close 30 minutes after the final film begins and is located on the 4th floor of the TIFF Lightbox in “The Lab.” If you need help finding it, ask any Inside Out staff member or volunteer on site at #InsideOut26
In-partnership with @tangled_arts
Book lovers! We have the perfect spot for you at this year’s Festival. Come cozy up and check out the Queer Book Nook on the 4th floor during #InsideOut26 📚 Featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of 2SLGBTQ+ authors and voices from local and Canadian bookshops, publishers, and organizations, you’re sure to discover new reads to add to your TBR. And who knows, maybe you’ll even have a meet-cute while browsing 🤭
Located on the 4th floor in “The Lab,” the Book Nook will open 30 minutes before the first screening of the day and close 30 minutes after the final film begins. If you need help finding it, ask any Inside Out staff member or volunteer on site.
The Queer Book Nook is supported by:
House of Anansi Press @houseofanansi
Groundwood Books @groundwoodbooks
Annick Press @annick_press
Another Story Bookshop @anotherstorybookshop
Coach House Books @coachhousebooks
Hopeless Romantic Books @hopelessromanticbooks
Chani @chani.app
Glad Day Bookshop @gladdaybookshop
LSTW @lezspreadtheword
Queen Books @queenbooksto
Simon & Schuster Canada @simonschusterca
Writers’ Trust of Canada @writerstrust
Penguin Random House Canada @penguinrandomca
Hey gays! Find us at Gay Friends! Our friends at @goodfriendsmarket are hosting their Gay Friends Market on May 23 and we’ll be there! Look for Inside Out and learn more about the Festival while supporting queer-owned shops 🌈
📍May 23 (May 24 rain day!) 12:00PM-6:00PM at Dundas & Dovercourt @soleil_toronto
Lulu Wei is a Co-Director of New Ho Queen and Toronto-based non-binary filmmaker, cinematographer, and DJ working across documentary, visual storytelling, and dancefloor culture. They build high-energy sets that blend genres and tempos with a strong sense of flow exemplified in a 2023 Boiler Room Toronto set.
Hear @llcoolwei ’s set at #InsideOut26
📍May 30, 9:00PM at TIFF Gallery
Lena Di Matrix is the Vietnamese dancing diva of Toronto, she is known for her captivating stage presence and tricks that leave you gagging. Lena worked her way through the Toronto drag scene and became one of the hottest new staples in the scene. Winning some of the biggest titles including Miss El Convento Rico 2023 and Crews & Tangos’ Next Drag Superstar 2026. Every time Lena hits the stage it’s a guarantee good time.
See @lenadimatrix for yourself at #InsideOut26
📍May 30, 9:00PM at TIFF Gallery
Toronto-based DJ, Co-Director of New Ho Queen, and former host on ISO.Radio, Discoraphy is a multidisciplinary creative dedicated to carving out space for marginalized communities. Their practice blends bass-heavy club sounds with a focus on queer joy and cultural memory. From immersive museum installations at the Gardiner to late-night sets at STACHE, Discoraphy approaches the dance floor as a ceremonial space for movement, connection, and transformation.
Hear @discoraphy ’s beats at #InsideOut26 📍May 30, 9:00PM at TIFF Gallery
New Ho Queen (NHQ) is a collective of Trans & Queer Asians creating inclusive parties. Speicalizing in design, film, fashion & joy, they’ve hosted 7,000+ patrons at intimate to large events, partnered with community, & commissioned 100+ QTBIPOC artists. Featured in W Magazine (Dec 2022), they are the first Party in Residence at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (2024–2026). “This is more than a party—it’s a beautiful example of how marginalized communities can take control of their narrative.”
We’re thrilled to have @newhoqueen as our Closing Night Gala After Party co-hosts!
📍May 30, 9:00PM at TIFF Gallery
Just serving poses for our favourite work besties 🤝 Definitely not inspired by a few films we’re screening… tickets online at insideout.ca 👀
Films in order (of poses!)
⭐ Tracy & Martina: Goin’ Out West
⭐ Give Me The Ball!
⭐ Stop! That! Train!
⭐ I Come Home
⭐ SKIFF
⭐ We Are Pat
Star Doll is the personality, the performance, the polish and the puss! Star has graced the screen on Canada’s Drag Race Season 6- the Season of the Star, Drag Brunch Saved my Life S1, Sew Fierce S2 and Mr Hugo’s Little Library S1 (Coming Soon).
See Star be a star at #InsideOut26 ⭐️
📍May 22, 9:00PM at TIFF Gallery
Karamilk is a powerhouse drag sensation who captured national attention as a semifinalist on Canada’s Drag Race Season 6, making it all the way to the final stretch of the competition. On screen, she has also lit up Crave’s Drag Brunch Saved My Life, further solidifying her status as a dynamic and captivating performer. With fierce style, undeniable charisma, and electrifying artistry, Karamilk is truly the flavour everyone craves.
Get a taste of Karamilk at #InsideOut26 ❣️
📍May 22, 9:00PM at TIFF Gallery
