In addition to being affectionately known as TIFF\u2019s Gay cousin<\/a>, the festival doubles as an unofficial kickoff to Toronto\u2019s Pride Month, bringing together documentaries, shorts, and animated films alongside a packed schedule of parties, workshops and conversations.<\/p>\n The festival\u2019s CEO, Carly Beath<\/a>, says that from shorts to animated films and documentaries, there is something for everyone at this year\u2019s event, which comes at an important time politically.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s this kind of backlash happening to DEI initiatives in the States, and I think Canada has a chance to set ourselves apart and say that we are continuing to support underrepresented groups, Queer people and Queer art,\u201d Beath told Queer & Now.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s important for us to have a space to create and share our own narratives to counteract some of the negativity that we hear in the news and on social media as Queer people.\u201d<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Beath explained that Inside Out creates a space for 2SLGBQ+ people to see themselves represented in media, and enjoy an event where we can all come together and learn more about one another.\u00a0<\/p>\n Highlights of Inside Out 2026<\/p>\n Some highlights of the festival include the Opening Gala screening of Stop! That! Train!, a comedy starring Drag Queen royalty RuPaul, Ginger Minj, Jujubee and Brooke Lynn Hytes.<\/p>\n Additionally, Give Me the Ball, a documentary focused on tennis legend Billie Jean King, is playing at the RE: Focus Gala on May 23<\/p>\n The Centrepiece Gala on May 26 will feature a screening of the film I Come Home, which follows a polyamorous couple grappling with the fallout of an unexpected pregnancy.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Closing Gala, on May 30, will include the premiere of Heals, a documentary on drag superstar Pangina Heals that follows her from a traumatic childhood to becoming the first drag star from Asia to secure a residency in Las Vegas.\u00a0<\/p>\n Beath shared that she is excited for the documentary\u2019s premiere, as the film received development funding from the festival\u2019s REfocus Fund, which helps with the completion of projects by 2SLGBTQ+ creators.<\/p>\n \u201cSo to have it back at the festival for its world premiere is really, really special.\u201d<\/p>\n In the Closet<\/p>\n Another one of the projects premiering at this year\u2019s event is the series In the Closet<\/a>, a six-part docuseries that features intimate conversations between non-binary Canadian comedian Ajahnis Charley<\/a> and friends, focused on what it means to be non-binary.\u00a0<\/p>\n The series draws on the creator\u2019s experience navigating misgendering and self-discovery, alongside the affirmation of Queer community, to explore how fashion can communicate identity and reflect collective joy.<\/p>\n Charley explained that to create the set, they pulled pieces from their friends\u2019 closets and homes, creating a closet background that speaks to their story of discovering their identity.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve built a studio closet and made this constructed space for each different non-binary pal that we interview,\u201d Charley told Queer & Now.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSo we\u2019ve taken their actual clothes and home objects, redressed this space with those things, and tried to create a physical visual manifestation of that person.\u201d<\/p>\n The series includes conversations between Charley and comedian Bren D\u2019Souza, actor Amanda Cordner, improviser D.J. Mausner, creator Meg MacKay and Drag Queen extraordinaire Chelazon Leroux.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all about style, gender, and clothing, and how that can be used by non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals to get the world to see us the way we see ourselves,\u201d Charley explained.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n \u201cThis piece of YouTube cinema is my way of expressing love to not only these non-binary friends, but also love to that inner self that knows who they are and is trying to express that.\u201d<\/p>\n Calling it their most exciting creative challenge yet, Charley says that in between set building, prepping, filming and production, the best part of the project was getting to unwind and have a genuine good time with friends.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMusic, kiki and play\u2026 those are the things I\u2019m trying to do every day of my life, and I got to do it in this project.\u201d<\/p>\n Tickets range from $17.50 for a single in-person screening to $14.50 for a virtual ticket, while 6-screening passes are available for $99. There are various ticket packages for galas available as well. More information can be found on the Inside Out website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Collective Effervescence<\/p>\n
![\"Vibrant](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_5030-1-1733x1800.jpg\")
Tran with their design for Inside Out 2026. (Courtesy: Dev Banfield)<\/p>\n