Lights, Camera, Pride

The first-ever CinePride Film Festival lit up West Hollywood this past weekend, establishing itself as a bold new chapter in queer cinema. Taking over Landmark Theatres Sunset from September 11–14, CinePride delivered four days of powerful screenings, panels, and parties that celebrated the transformative power of LGBTQIA+ voices on screen.

Audiences were treated to a thoughtfully curated lineup of features, shorts, documentaries, and micro-content that challenged, inspired, and affirmed authentic storytelling. CinePride’s mission to create a platform for diverse narratives was reflected not only in its programming but also in its first-ever awards ceremony, which closed out the festival on Sunday evening.

“The country is at a cultural crossroads where visibility and representation can literally save lives,” said Executive Director Cecilio Asuncion, who led the festival alongside Programming Director Miguel Santos and Development Director Michael Daly. “Authentic storytelling challenges stereotypes, humanizes our experiences, and ensures that queer people, especially the most marginalized, see themselves reflected in ways that affirm their existence.”

That mission was echoed throughout the awards. The festival’s top honor, Best Narrative Feature, went to The Last First Time, a film praised for its heartfelt storytelling. ¡Quba! emerged as one of the weekend’s biggest winners, earning both Best Documentary and Best Editing, while Queerbait was named Best Narrative Short and Blood Like Water received Best International Short. Bebe, celebrated for its fresh perspective, won Best Micro-Content and secured its director, Ashcon Nejad, the Emerging Filmmaker award.

Performances were also front and center. Precious Paula Nicole won Best Lead Performance for her standout role in Lip Sync Assassin, which also earned Best Direction, while Erika Schiff received Best Supporting Performance for Wee Willie Winky. In the craft categories, G L O R Y was honored for Best Screenplay and The Blame Silence took home Best Cinematography. Its creator, Israel Cordova, was also presented with the Trailblazer Award, underscoring the festival’s commitment to elevating boundary-pushing artists.

Beyond individual films, CinePride recognized contributions that extend into activism and community impact. Queen Victoria of FLUX received the Social Impact Award, while Ashley Gianni was honored with the Brian Anderson Memorial Award for her work on Sorority. The weekend’s final accolade, the Audience Choice Award - voted on by festivalgoers themselves - went to TransTale: Maria Roman Story, a deeply moving portrait that resonated with audiences.

For many in attendance, CinePride felt like more than a film festival. It was a triumphant display of extraordinary works showcasing the full spectrum of the LGBTQIA+ experience from joy, to love, to pain, and resilience.

Asuncion summed up the festival’s long-term vision: “For too long, LGBTQIA+ narratives have been sidelined, tokenized, or filtered through a heteronormative lens. CinePride isn’t just a film festival. It’s a movement that belongs in Los Angeles, the epicenter of the film industry.”