BIG GAY SCREENING June 3rd 6pm at Arts Court

DARC’s annual BIG GAY SCREENING returns Wednesday June 3rd starting 6pm in the DARC Microcinema! This year’s hour-long program will feature short films by artists from across Canada celebrating daring narratives, exploring the legacy of creative arts communities, and highlighting the vastness of diasporic experiences and queer lives.
Only 40 seats! Go to https://digitalartsresourcecentre.ca/big-gay-screening-2026/ to secure your spot !

FEATURED FILMS

WILL MUNRO (AND AN ARMY OF LOVERS)

This doc traces Munro’s art career, from his earliest days at the Ontario College of Art and Design to his last show, The Cosmic Leather Daddy, before his passing of brain cancer at the age of 35. His impact on Toronto’s art and queer communities across the world continues to resonate well beyond his lifetime.

SOMETIMES I WISH I WAS ON A DESERT ISLAND

As the world learns to live again in the midst of the pandemic, for many Arabic-speaking LGBTQ+ people living in Montreal, this is just a period of time like any other. When you’ve fled homophobic violence in your home country and endured a painful migratory journey, or you still face social prejudices stemming from intercultural and intergenerational conflicts, surviving social isolation is nothing new. The film is provided courtesy of the National Film Board of Canada.

EGOSURFING

A metatextual consideration of internet stardom, gay porn and colonialism. Spanning 240 years and several generations of deveau(x)’s, egosurfing opens up like a puzzle box; each tier stretching further and further outwards, temporally, geographically, analytically. It is both a true and untrue study of an indirect lineage. a form of self-searching, and an attempt to self-distinguish.

SHAME

In an exclusive archival clip filmed by Bennett Phillips, Will Munro talks about his yearly Shame party at Vazaleen and the reasons behind it.

METEOR

Meteor is a visually stunning piece that employs animated surrealist imagery to delve into the narrator’s profound grief over losing her best friend within the repressive Islamic Republic of Iran. Meteor juxtaposes the international “women, life, freedom” protest movement with the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Iran, making for a poignant and emotional ode to friendship and a tribute to those who continue to suffer in Iran

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

RICHARD MONGIAT

Richard Mongiat has been exhibiting his paintings and assemblages in public, commercial and artist collective galleries across Canada since 1984. Mongiat has curated an exhibition at the Doris McCarthy Gallery/University of Toronto as well as founding the Collectives FromAPit and Loop Gallery. Mongiat has initiated and assisted fellow artists on community art projects throughout his neighbourhood.
As well, Richard has been producing and directing films for Collective City since its inception in 2011. CC was a finalist at the 2018 Toronto Heritage Awards and in 2019 premiered four new docs at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art in Toronto.

DAVID SYLVESTRE

David Sylvestre’s creative career is split into two distinct phases. First as a painter and contributor to the artist-run scene of the late 80’s and early 90’s. Second as a creative director specializing in marketing/advertising and branded entertainment.
David was a part of the organizing committee for Round Up, a 3-day event that opened artist’s studios to the Toronto public in 1989-90 and 1990-91. In 1990 he became a founding member of The Red Head Gallery. In 1995 helped form FromAPit collective with Richard Mongiat and Krys Verral and co-curated two shows with them
David has been directing films for Collective City since the project’s inception in 2011.

ACCESSIBILITY

All doors at DARC have accessibility buttons to press for automatic entry. DARC is located on the main floor (one story above ground) of the Arts Court building. DARC’s main entrance is located at 67 Nicholas Street which is fully wheelchair accessible. Alternate wheelchair-accessible entry is available through 2 Daly Ave at the Arts Court main entrance or the Ottawa Art Gallery. Elevator access is available from 9AM – 11PM. DARC staff are available and happy to assist with all inquiries and requests regarding physical access.

We also welcome inquiry, feedback, and resources regarding accessibility and accessibility improvement by phone (613.238.7648 x. 6) or by email at access@digitalartsresourcecentre.ca.

Visit https://digitalartsresourcecentre.ca/access/ for information on how to get to DARC, language barriers, fragrance policy, and access to programming.