The BLACK CAT Cinema Series is joining forces with the SUNNY BUNNY FILM FESTIVAL(Ukraine’s first LGBTQIA+ film festival) to present a special screening of Queer Ukrainian Shorts—an evening dedicated to extraordinary filmmaking, resistance, and solidarity.
The event is set for Monday, October 6th at 7:30 PM at LOOK Cinema in Glendale, and will feature a powerful selection of short films curated by SUNNY BUNNY’s director, Bohdan Zhuk.
All proceeds from the evening will benefit the SUNNY BUNNY FILM FESTIVAL in Kyiv, helping to support queer voices during the ongoing wartime crisis.
Why This Screening Matters
The showcase is a collaboration between the Los Angeles-based BLACK CAT series (founded by queer filmmakers Daniel Talbott, Javier Fuentes-León, and Andrew Klaus-Vineyard) and the vital Kyiv-based festival. The films represent the diversity, creativity, and resilience of queer Ukrainian artists working under dire wartime conditions.
Daniel Talbott emphasized the spirit of the work: “These filmmakers epitomize guts, grit and the queercore esthetic… The films and these filmmakers are a brilliant reminder to make queer film no matter what and to stay loud, proud and visible in our work and lives.”
Bohdan Zhuk shared that the shorts were chosen to reflect the current reality: “It’s meant to represent the diversity of Ukrainian queer film in the current dire wartime conditions—made with little to no budget yet bursting with queer creativity and resistance, and reflecting the queer lives in the country now.”
Co-founder Javier Fuentes-León underscored the mission to support the community: “We’re honored to shine a light on the voices of queer filmmakers from Ukraine… We hope our audience understands the importance of supporting Sunny Bunny… and feels inspired to donate whatever they can—beyond the $8.95 ticket—to help them keep promoting the queer voices of their country.”
Andrew Klaus-Vineyard echoed the sentiment of defiance: “They are a testament to both the inspiring resilience of the Ukrainian people, but also the punk rock tenacity and DIY power of queer filmmaking. We stand as global citizens with these filmmakers… Slava Ukraini!”
Event and Donation Information
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WHAT: BLACK CAT Cinema Series x SUNNY BUNNY FILM FESTIVAL present Queer Ukrainian Shorts
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WHEN: Monday, October 6th at 7:30 PM
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WHERE: LOOK Cinema, Glendale, CA
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TICKETS: Tickets are available for purchase online: https://www.lookcinemas.com/movie/1001/65004
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DONATE: If you cannot attend, please consider donating directly to the festival: https://www.sunnybunnyqiff.com/donate
About the Organizers
The BLACK CAT CINEMA SERIES, named after the 1967 LA LGBTQ+ landmark, aims to create a home for queer film of all kinds—from classics to bold new voices. Founded by filmmakers Talbott, Fuentes-León, and Klaus-Vineyard, the series provides a monthly screening and community gathering at LOOK Cinema.
The SUNNY BUNNY FILM FESTIVAL (The First Ukrainian LGBTQIA+ Film Festival) grew out of a long-running LGBTQIA+ program at the Molodist Film Festival (founded in 1970). It is the leading LGBTQIA+ themed cultural event in Ukraine and Eastern Europe, dedicated to promoting queer voices, artistry, and topical issues in the region.
