May 23, 2018• byMichael Strangeways

Here’s a cute daily spotlight from the 44th annual Seattle International Film festival happening now through June 10, 2018….LGBTQ films where the gay characters aren’t all dead/in prison by the end of the movie, a popular device for decades in the few films that bothered to feature any kind of gay character. Here are five LGBTQ films at SIFF 2018 with more upbeat messages including a documentary on legendary gay playwright Terrence McNally and a fun look at a “Big Gay Italian Wedding”.

The Lesbian Lives in the End!

“Bury Your Gays” is a cinematic trope that just won’t die. In many of the LGBTQ films of yesteryear, queer characters were never allowed happy endings, not least because they were often pushing up the daisies by the time the credits rolled. We love an angsty tragic love story as much as the next cinema fan, but sometimes you just want your beloved characters to enjoy life a little! This festival, dry your tears and shake your booty to our lineup of LGBTQ films, where we promise the lesbian does not die in the end.

A Kid Like Jake

Claire Danes and Jim Parsons star in an emotional and nuanced look at modern parenting as a married couple whose precocious, creative four-year-old begins to exhibit gender-expansive behavior. Directed by Silas Howard (“Transparent”) and with an impressive supporting cast that includes Octavia Spencer and Ann Dowd.

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Chedeng & Apple

Two best friends are on the run from the law and their children after one decapitates her abusive husband and packs his head in her favorite Louis Vuitton bag in this absurd but heartfelt Filipino comedy.

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Every Act of Life

The groundbreaking life and work of one of America’s most important playwrights, multiple Tony-winner Terrence McNally, is revealed in a personal journey showcasing five decades of iconic theatre productions as well as the artist’s struggles fighting for gay rights and against his own addictions.

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Gold Seekers

National Treasure meets The Goonies in this high-octane LGBT-friendly adventure from the makers of hit sensation 7 Boxes, that begins when a teen finds an antique map pointing to hidden treasure, leading his band of whip-smart friends to stage a daring heist.

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My Big Gay Italian Wedding

In this merry movie of matrimony, happily engaged Antonio brings his fiancé Paulo to the exquisite old Italian village of his birth to meet his headstrong parents and reveal his sexuality, setting out on a quest to make a city founded on religious tradition understand that love is love.

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About the Author: Michael Strangeways

As the Editorial Director/Co-Owner, Michael Strangeways writes, edits and does about a million other jobs for Seattle Gay Scene, Puget Sound's most visited LGBTQ news, arts and entertainment website now celebrating its 14th year as a media outlet. A semi-proud Midwesterner by birth, he's lived in Seattle since 2000. He's also a film producer who would like you to check out the Jinkx Monsoon documentary, "Drag Becomes Him" now available on Amazon.com. In his spare time, he gets slightly obsessive about his love for old movies, challenging theater, "otters", vodka, chocolate, "I,Claudius", Lizzie Borden, real books made out of paper, disaster films, show tunes, Weimar era Germany, flea markets, pop surrealistic art, the sex lives of Hollywood actors both living and dead, kitties, chicken fried steak, haute couture and David Bowie. But, not necessarily in that order.