Gay short films best

There are so many incredible gay short films and movies available, it was hard to narrow them down to this shortlist.

Whilst there are more and more full-length gay films available (check out the Best Gay Movies on Netflix), historically these have been few and far between which is why directors have often turned to gay short films instead.

Many of these can easily be found on YouTube and you will notice a lot of common themes amongst them; coming out, bullying, break ups and secret love to name a few.

What unites them is the courage to portray our community with honesty and creativity, reflecting both the joy of queer existence and the challenges we face in a world that can still be combative.

The film festivals of 2022 were a testament to the significance of this movement, showcasing some of the most captivating and inspiring gay short films that left audiences around the world in awe.

Directed by Erich Rettstadt and co-produced by Anita Tung and C.K. Hugo Chung, the short film follows 10-year-old Jojo in Taiwan and his encounter with the glittering, magical Tank Fairy.

The young protagonist is an outcast dreaming of Drag, but he soon gains the encouragement he seeks from the Tank Fairy. 

Tank Fairy features Marian 瑪麗安, Ryan 宥騰, and Danielle Yen, with Rettstadt doubling as the screenwriter and executive producer. 

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Spanning genres from romantic comedy to animation, and formats from intimate drama to bold satire, they each bring a distinctive lens to LGBTQ+ lives. You can watch it on YouTube.

These five short films prove that queer storytelling is thriving in 2025, playful, daring, emotional, and unapologetically authentic.

Harry Melling plays Colin, a shy parking attendant who meets Ray (Alexander Skarsgård), an enigmatic biker. This heartfelt drama, blended with a surprising sense of humor, is the directorial debut of Palestinian filmmaker Dana J. Atrach, who has already a long career as screenwriter and professor.

It tells the story of Sam (played brilliantly by Raphael Khouri), a trans man who returns home after his father’s passing.

Blackstar is an annual film festival that celebrates the storytelling traditions of the global communities of color.

For Love was both written and directed by Gharoro-Akpojotor. With multiple barriers to their affair expect drama, betrayal and a WTF ending.

 Running time: 23 minutes.

One Up

I thought it would be cool to make a film about girls doing something really, “un-lady like,” and being brutal – Julia Thompson

As Hadley engages with her ice hockey teammates and is confronted with the reality that not only does she like girls, but they may not like her back, her inner judgement and turmoil is palpable.

That’s why it’s more important than ever to bring queer stories to the screen.

And what better format than short films? 2025 has been a standout year for queer cinema. It is featured in the 2022 Vienna Shorts Film Festival selection. 

Directed by Tang Yi – a Hong Kong filmmaker – the short is a story of teenage student Shengnan, who gets invited to her cousin’s party.

Through captivating visuals, engaging characters, and thought-provoking themes, these films challenge us to see the world in a different light and to embrace the unique perspectives of the LGBTQ+ community. The film holds a 97 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.