Kairavi Garde, Graphic Illustrator
“A Secret Love”
This historical documentary by Chris Bolan tells the tale of two women, Terry Donahue and Pat Henchel, who navigated love and professional baseball in 1947. The couple kept their love secret for more than seven decades, yet their love endured nevertheless. This powerful film finally allows their love to be publicly declared and celebrated, reminding us that love conquers all prejudice.
“Booksmart”
This relatable, fast-paced film follows best friends Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein) as they realize that their academic overachievement may have caused them to miss out on the “high school experience.” This sparks a wild adventure, through which they learn to embrace their sexuality and individuality, while also being reminded that growing up doesn’t mean growing apart.
“Will & Harper”
Will Ferrell met Harper Steele when he began working for SNL in 1995. After over 30 years of friendship, Steele came out as a transgender woman. This documentary follows the pair on a 16-day road trip across the United States, exploring gender-affirming care, identity and what it means to be queer in America. Their emotional journey redefines their friendship and emphasizes that it’s never too late for self-discovery.
“Uncle Frank”
This heartfelt comedy follows Beth (Sophia Lillis) as she discovers that her Uncle Frank (Paul Bettany) has been secretly living with his longtime partner Wally (Peter Macdissi). After the death of Beth’s father — Frank’s brother — the trio embarks on a road-trip home for the funeral, a journey that begins with awkward reluctance and ends in self-discovery and acceptance.
“Moonlight”
This Oscar-winning film by Barry Jenkins follows Chiron, a young Black man raised in Miami, through three crucial chapters of his life: childhood, adolescence and adulthood. He navigates bullying, found family, masculinity and sexuality while discovering his place in the world. This tender, honest film explores how our community shapes us and the lasting impact of the choices we make.
“Red, White & Royal Blue”
Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), the son of the first female U.S. president, and Prince Henry of Wales (Nicholas Galitzine) have very few things in common — except for their mutual hatred. When their public feud spirals out of control, their parents force them to declare a truce, giving the former-enemies a chance to thaw the ice between them. As their feud melts away, it reveals a connection that neither expected to find.
“The Half of It”
This coming-of-age drama follows Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis), an introverted and intelligent teenager who supports her widowed father by running a side business writing essays for her classmates. After agreeing to help the school jock Paul Munsky (Daniel Diemer) write a love letter to his crush, she unexpectedly finds herself becoming his friend — and falling for his crush.
“Giant Little Ones”
Two childhood best friends, Franky (Josh Wiggins) and Ballas (Darren Mann), have a lot in common: they’re good-looking, on the swim team and popular with girls. But their seemingly perfect lives are upended after an intimate moment that changes everything, prompting them to navigate the complexities of sexuality, friendship and vulnerability in high school.
“Challengers”
“Challengers” was released in 2024 with a star-studded cast including Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist. Even though it was unfortunately overlooked for an Oscar nomination, its sultry plot and complex characters took social media, and the box office, by storm. This unforgettable film has something for everyone: an electric love-triangle, high-stakes tennis and two best friends who can’t stop asking, “Are we about to kiss right now?”