Two Canadian feature documentaries will make their world premieres at this year’s Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF).

Among the documentaries is Panta Mosleh’s Pride & Prayer (pictured). The film is produced by Abbas Mojarad, Rebeka Herron and Mosleh under her Vancouver-based PK Studios Productions banner in association with Keepsake Studios.

Pride & Prayer accompanies Mosleh as she attempts to reconcile her queerness with her Muslim faith. Prior to its premiere, Mosleh submitted the film to the Leo Awards, where it was nominated for Best Screenwriting in the feature-length documentary category.

The other Canadian selection making its debut is A Place Where I Belong from Vancouver-based director-producer Rheanna Toy. The film is executive produced by Toy’s prodco Cloudstreet Media and three B.C. non-profits related to disability support and advocacy: posAbilities, Kinsight and the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion.

A Place Where I Belong follows six LGBTQ+ individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who rely on an at-risk non-profit program to navigate life.

A number of Canadian short films will also debut at the B.C. festival, including Lauren Marsden’s The Palace, Ana AJ Jimenez’ Jeez Louise, Kris von Kleist’s Fine, Jess McLeod’s DTF? and Jackie Hoffart’s The Reveal.

Corey Payette’s musical drama Starwalker and Chase Joynt and Julietta Singh’s documentary The Nest will make their B.C. premieres. Meanwhile, J Stevens’ Really Happy Someday and Kevin Hartford’s To the Moon are set for their Vancouver showcase.

VQFF takes place in-person from Sept. 11 to 21 and online from Sept. 22 to 28.

Image courtesy of VQFF