The short films in Through The Cracks are waiting for you somewhere in between. In vibrant, distinct shades of grey these stories exist in liminal space, where queerness feels most ripe and most right. Stories of those people, places, and experiences that are by definition undefinable constitute this program, defying categorization and proving the true value and energy in bursting out of binaries.

This short tells the story of Matia's transition from male to female and her hardships in dating heterosexual men. Lusciously colorful and creative, the film balances moments of heartbreaking authenticity and struggle with lightness, fun, and visual whimsy. The comic book style art is stunning and engaging and the story is staggering in its vulnerability. The animation brings to life a unique capturing of a trans woman's experience, with creativity and humanity at the fore. Directed and written by Croation animator Marko Djeska, All Those Sensations In My Belly first premiered at Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco.&nbsp; –&nbsp;Chris Schmunk, Damn These Heels programming committee member

ALL THOSE SENSATIONS IN MY BELLY

While transitioning from male to female gender, Matia struggles with finding a genuine intimate relationship with a heterosexual man.

A nervous young man enters a hotel room to engage in some anonymous glory hole action. Things quickly go awry after his entrance and we watch as two strangers negotiate their bodies, the hole, the way they see themselves, and how they want to be seen - or unseen. Equal parts goofy, creepy, and edgy, this short is a wonderful exploration of how the things that separate us may actually be just the thing that brings people together. Damn These Heels Film Festival is proud to present the North American premiere of Personals by Sasha Argirov. –&nbsp;Derrek Wall, Damn These Heels programming committee member

PERSONALS

An unexpected connection during an anonymous encounter pushes two socially anxious loners to risk vulnerability and find the intimacy they both yearn for.

In 1992, Smith made history as the first queer, black, drag candidate to run for the President of the United States. His focus was not on winning, but rather on shedding light on the AIDS epidemic and LGBTQIA+ rights. He bravely used his voice to enlighten the world on the struggles of those affected by HIV/AIDS, many of whom were his friends. His philosophy and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights will never be forgotten; this film ensures it.&nbsp; A critical historical document for the drag community and LGBTQIA+ history, The Beauty President is a joyous time capsule, proving the power of generosity, resilience, and compassion. The Beauty President, which has been presented at the SXSW film festival, is an inspiring documentary about trailblazer Terrence Smith and his drag persona Joan Jett Blakk.&nbsp; –&nbsp;Chris Schmunk, Damn These Heels programming committee member

THE BEAUTY PRESIDENT

"If a bad actor can be president, why not a good drag queen?" In 1992, Joan Jett Blakk made a historic bid for the White House as one of the first openly queer write-in candidates. Today, Terence Smith, the man behind the persona, reflects back on his place in gay rights history at the height of the AIDS crisis.

Poetic, lyrical, visceral, and emotional, this captures Tau and his inner conflict with self-acceptance. Set against the stunning natural landscapes of South Africa, this personal struggle takes on cosmic and spiritual significance. Seismically moving, the piece uses few words to great impact. Rich with meaning, this film exposes the raw, ritual of awakening within one person; which connects to anyone who has struggled with their own identity and sexuality. Heaven Reaches Down To Earth premiered at the Chicago Film Festival and has gone on to play Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, Flickerfest International Short Film Festival, Glasgow Short Film Festival, and more. –&nbsp;Derrek Wall, Damn These Heels programming committee member

HEAVEN REACHES DOWN TO EARTH

After Tau comes to a realization about their sexuality, it sets in motion a cascade of thoughts and emotions in Tumelo - nothing will ever be the same between them.

This delightful and incisive short explores semiotic theory in the most literal possible terms. With technical rigor and a distinct sense of humor, Morran presents a correspondence that demands the audience question what we say, how we say it, the letters we use, and most importantly the space in between all of what we write and the absolute truth of meaning. A stark reminder of the critical value of liminality, The Letter perfectly balances coldness and warmth, technology and humanity, meaning and meaning making in this stellar think piece on arrival. Damn These Heels Film Festival is proud to present the world premiere of The Letter by Meredith Morran. –&nbsp;Ash Hoyle, Damn These Heels Director of Programming

THE LETTER

The Letter is a film about letters: individual letters, epistolary letters, letters addressed to friends, to fathers, to neighbors, to lovers, and to passengers on that airplane, the one currently flying above your head.

Conceptions of gender are shattered by the shifting understandings of genetics presented in this layered family drama. This complex and often unexplored world is presented through the experience of one teen struggling to find his place in his own family and in the world at large.&nbsp; Meet Aiden, a teenager who has Klinefelter syndrome, a genetic condition where an extra X chromosome is present. The boy, through ritual and magical chants, banishes adolescence and becomes a man on his own terms - torn by and between the shortcomings of his mother and father.&nbsp; Torch Song premiered at Flicker Fest in Australia and makes its North American debut at the Damn These Heels Film Festival 2021. –&nbsp;Keith Turner, Damn These Heels programming committee member

TORCH SONG

An XXY adolescent is rejected by his father at a suburban burning man ceremony.

Through glimpses from the past, we watch as the relationship between a young female dancer and her ex develops and ends. Sparked by a chance encounter on the street and spilled out on the dance floor, this visceral, organic, rigorously corporeal piece paints an entire history through movement. In its simplicity, the film asks us: What makes a relationship? Why do they end? What do you remember most? This is a lovely piece about opening up and letting go.&nbsp; Daniel Antebi, an Ignite Fellow at the Sundance Institute, premiered Unfold on TV Booooooom. –&nbsp;Derrek Wall, Damn These Heels programming committee member

UNFOLD

Fragments of a lost relationship come alive after a glance.

A soft and sensual exploration of queer desire and becoming, this film immerses the viewer into the dream-like liminal space of a night train. Oskar (Erik Nilsson) boards the train following an interview and locks eyes with another young man, Ahmad (Khalil Ben Gharbia). The pair of far-away-lovers submerge in this epicurean reality and even the smallest gestures begin to inspire intense attraction and wonder. As the train continues along its course and Oskar and Ahmed find most other passengers asleep, their desires are laid bare. Tender and wistful, The Night Train is a queer transformation of the meet-cute, in which the velvet night and the movement of the train make a home for two young people to discover each other and themselves. What occurs on the sleepy Swedish train car is beautiful and transformative, and as the powerful imagery and stripped-down narrative cover us in the same longing night as the young men, we are left to reminisce on the power of a single glance. Inspired by Swedish writer and director Jerry Carlsson's memories of youth and desire, Nattåget (The Night Train), premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, was a selection at the Valladolid International Film Festival, and most recently was a selection of BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival. –&nbsp;Cameron Asharian, Damn These Heels programming committee member

THE NIGHT TRAIN

Oskar is on the night train, heading home after an interview in Stockholm. With a long night ahead of him, he makes eye contact with Ahmad.

Steeped in a world of selfies and social media platforms, director Stephanie Osuna-Hernandez tells a colorfully entertaining story with an equally vibrant protagonist. On the road to his American dream, tragedy threatens his path as the film examines how systemic racism in American institutions, policies, and employees stand in the way of immigrants in pursuit of what a life in American ostensibly promises. Dreamer was an official selection of Indie Short Fest at Los Angeles International Film Festival, LA Latinx FilmFest, and The Roxbury International Film Festival. –&nbsp;Atticus Reo, Damn These Heels programming committee member

DREAMER

For Fran, Los Angeles is where dreams come true. In his mind, it is where he will be allowed to pursue his passion for makeup and fashion. As he saves enough money for the move, he documents his journey through YouTube. However, Fran learns that following one's dream is a privilege not everyone has.

Director of Programming Ash Hoyles discusses with filmmakers from The Letter, Dreamer, The Night Train, and All Those Sensations In My Bell

THROUGH THE CRACK - Post-Film Q&A

Director of Programming Ash Hoyles discusses with filmmakers from The Letter, Dreamer, The Night Train, and All Those Sensations In My Bell

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SHORTS PROGRAM 1: THROUGH THE CRACKS

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Utah Film Center is rolling out the rainbow carpet once again for the 2021 Damn These Heels Queer Film Festival! Damn These Heels is one of our most popular events which explores LGBTQ+ issues, ideas, and art through dramatic and documentary films from around the world. And we manage to have a lot of fun along the way! This year audiences can stream films from home, join us in-theater at the Rose Wagner and pack a picnic for an outdoor screening! For in-person screenings and special events please visit {{link|https://damntheseheels.org|damntheseheels.org}}.  Additional events and media education programs visit our website {{link|https://utahfilmcenter.org|utahfilmcenter.org}}

The 18th annual Damn These Heels Queer Film Festival explores LGBTQ+ issues, ideas, and art through dramatic and documentary films from around the world. A program of the Salt Lake City based Utah Film Center, Damn These Heels features in-person and virtual screenings

Here's what's coming up soon. Can't make it? No sweat. Many live streams will be available for on-demand viewing as well.