New documentary shines spotlight on queer disabled voices

Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF)

When: Sept. 11-21 (online Sept. 22-28)

Where: Various venues

Tickets and info: queerfilmfestival.ca

When one of the people profiled in her new doc first tried on gender-affirming clothing, director Rheanna Toy was there to capture the moment.

“They put on a suit and cuff links. And, in that moment, my camera was malfunctioning, and I was freaking out a little bit, but I got it together. Normally I would have my rig, but had to do it hand-held. I’m so happy I still managed to capture that moment and just the joy that was on their face and in their energy.”

That moment is a highlight of A Place Where I Belong, Toy’s new documentary premiering at the 37th annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF). The film follows Connecting Queer Communities (CQC), a local program designed to connect people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) to queer community.

Toy is director and film/video lead at Cloudstreet Media, a Vancouver company that specializes in socially conscious films, videos, and designs. Previous clients include Samsung, Cirque du Soleil, and UBC.

To build trust with the six people profiled in A Place Where I Belong, Toy attended CQC events.

“What I discovered through interviewing people who are part of the program is that they were really willing to share their lived experience and these rich stories. With this particular demographic, a lot of times their voices and stories are silenced. Giving people an opportunity to speak and speak authentically and say what they wanted to say ended up resulting in some really great interviews where people really connected and felt comfortable.”

Along with telling the stories of some CQC members, Toy also interviews John Woods. A local musician/composer whose previous projects include the cabaret pop band The Wet Spots and Shine: A Burlesque Musical, Woods is founder and manager of Real Talk, a sexual health initiative aimed at people living with cognitive disabilities.

“What he and his team are doing is revolutionary,” Toy said. “I’m inspired by his activism. If he hadn’t come to me with the idea for a smaller video around the CQC program, I wouldn’t have made the larger film.”

Ethical considerations were central to the director’s approach. “I am a queer person, but I don’t experience living with IDD. I was very aware that, historically, documentary filmmakers have been exploitative, and I certainly did not want to do that. So I consulted with the community and especially the people in the film as we went through the creation process. And we also screened early cuts for people with and without disabilities. Even now, as we move toward this premiere, I’m in consultation with disabled consultants throughout.”

Other docs at this year’s festival include Just Kids, about three families living in U.S. states that have banned gender-affirming care, and L.A. filmmaker Maritza Navarro’s Another Take, which looks at female and nonbinary directors trying to launch films under a new Hollywood studio.

The festival kicks off with Then. Now. Forever., a collection of seven short films, and closes with Four Mothers. The latter is an Irish comedy about a gay novelist saddled with caring for his friends’ eccentric mothers over Pride weekend.

In total, there are 100 films from 25 countries, including 12 world premieres, six international premieres, seven North American premieres, and 21 Canadian premieres. The festival also features parties, performances, post-screening Q&As with filmmakers and special guests, and industry events.

Toy is excited to present the film at VQFF, where it will be accompanied by a drag performance and a post-screening talkback.

“I think it’s a perfect place to premiere this film. Vancouver is where we shot the film, so family, friends, and advocates can all attend. We’re also really excited that the festival is working with us on the drag show and talkback.”

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