Chicago’s Open Space Arts is celebrating Pride Month with its Summer 2026 Queer Film Series, offering both online and in-person screenings. This local arts organization has curated a diverse selection of films that explore various aspects of the LGBTQ+ experience, from coming-out narratives to stories of queer love and identity.

Film Programs and Screenings

The online series, titled “Queer Expression Best of the Fest — Summer 2026,” features three streaming programs. Program A, available until June 9, includes nine short films under 15 minutes, such as “Amish Country Queer” and “Eternal Kiss.” Program B, streaming from June 7 to June 16, offers mid-length stories like “Baker’s Boy” and “Maybe Yes or Maybe Not.” Program C, available from June 10 to June 23, features films like “Direct Connection” and “Vollupya.”

In addition to the streaming options, Open Space Arts will host in-person screenings at FACETS Film Forum, located at 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. These screenings will showcase three feature films throughout Pride Month and beyond. The lineup includes “Maspalomas,” “Ballata Femmenella,” and “Summer’s Camera,” each offering unique perspectives on LGBTQ+ lives and histories.

Community and Cultural Impact

David Zak, the director of Open Space Arts, emphasizes the importance of providing an accessible platform for independent queer cinema, especially in light of recent cultural and political challenges. The festival aims to offer an inclusive space for storytelling that transcends traditional categories within the LGBTQ+ community.

Tickets for the streaming programs are priced at $12, while in-person screenings at FACETS are $15. The festival’s approach allows for a global audience, as the online programs are not geo-locked, welcoming international viewers to partake in the celebration of queer cinema.

Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.