Events

“Don’t threaten us with a bad time!” Or is it a “good time?” Such was our response when our downward-trodden but lovely friends at Los Angeles’ American Cinematheque approached us last year about taking part in their first expansion of their very popular series, Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair. Unable to participate due to our then-burgeoning 100th year celebration, we’re thrilled to get on board this year. The fifth annual edition in June 2026 expands to nearly 100 theaters across the U.S., Canada, U.K and South and Central America, with each venue presenting its own original curated lineup of uncompromising films defined by unpleasant truths and raw empathy.

The Gathering at Badon Hill live performance video screening. Exclusive Q&A with Jake Kiszka and Chris Turpin.

At the heart of each of these five films is a scrappy, fierce idea that observes the world around them and says “okay, but what about this” — and then shines a light on a corner of existence that pulses with life and would appreciate the validation. These stories are witnesses and records of living as a subversive act. Resourcefulness, enthusiasm, patient endurance, sharp focus and sincerity are all survival mechanisms as well as attributes which benefit social animals. This quintet of films is not a retrospective, but rather a reinforcement, strengthening all who undertake the experience. Welcome to Queer Qlassics.