Gay Films about HIV & AIDS - Gay Films Matter

Buddies

1985 Drama, Romance

A New York City gay man in a monogamous relationship becomes a "buddy" or volunteer companion to another gay man dying of AIDS, forming a deep friendship.

Roommates

1994 Drama

A macho straight man and an educated gay man end up sharing a room in a residence for people living with AIDS. Over time, their uneasy arrangement softens into an unexpected friendship.

John

2023 Drama

The challenging lives of LGBTQ night workers in Hollywood, LA, portrayed through a lens inspired by Italian neorealism and the French New Wave.

SHORT FILM

Finger Prick

2021 Drama

In the solitude of his bathroom, 26-year-old Alexi takes an HIV test in secret from his mother - but he isn’t entirely alone.

SHORT FILM

Urso+

2018 Drama

Paul is attracted to bears. Hugo is a needy bear. Everything seems to be perfect until one condition can change everything.

SHORT FILM

Frank’s Cock

1994 Comedy

A short film uses four frames simultaneously to explore a gay man's memories of his deceased lover, Frank.

Demons at Dawn

2024 Drama

As the boys face a hostile, ever-shifting world, they come to realize that when the night fades, their intertwined bodies and synchronized souls will have overcome the demons of the dawn.

SHORT FILM

Disciple

2021 Drama

Poe is a gay priest who mentors a support group for LGBT people. When one member shares that he is HIV positive, Poe is pushed to confront his own truths and make some difficult choices about the life he has been living.

SHORT FILM

Cashing Out

2024 Documentary

During the height of the AIDS crisis, many gay men sold their life insurance policies to investors for immediate financial relief. What followed was the rise of a controversial industry built on profit from tragedy, exposing the exploitation that emerged from a community’s desperation.

Chocolate Babies

1996 Drama

A group of New Yorkers fight AIDS rights by any means necessary.

SHORT FILM

Pick Up

2017 Drama, Romance

Jesse is a driver for Pick Up, a ride-sharing service in LA, who's fallen for a handsome passenger until he shares a secret that threatens to steer them both off course.

Goodbye Seventies

2020 Drama

Represents the plight of gay men in the 70's and 80's. The AIDS epidemic is not washed over to make it palatable but I fear it sheds a negative light on the promiscuity of the era.

Blue Lights

2024 Drama

Alejandro's 70th birthday unveils tensions and secrets within his gay/lesbian friend circle. Relationships evolve as truths about love, loss, and societal shifts emerge, exploring complexities that bind people together.

The Doom Generation

1995 Comedy, Drama

Jordan White and Amy Blue, two troubled teens, pick up an adolescent drifter, Xavier Red. Together, the they embark on a journey through an America of psychos and quickie marts.

SHORT FILM

David

2022 Drama

David Shannon navigates the horrors of the HIV/AIDS pandemic of the 1980s. He strives to embrace his empathy and compassion for those who are openly despised by society for being part of the LGBTQ+ community.

The Danish Boys

2019 Compilation

Explore an exciting array of Danish gay short films.

Furious Desires

2017 Compilation

The many permutations of desire are on full display in this collection of 5 gay-themed short films.

Boys on Film 23: Dangerous to Know

2023 Compilation

Ten encounters from across the globe, where the dangerous allure of attraction yields emotional results - proving that the age-old adage of taking the plunge is as relevant as ever before.

Boys on Film 22: Love to Love You

2022 Compilation

A compilation of stories depicting various aspects of gay relationships among men.

SHORT FILM

Poz

2016 Drama

A troubled young man, navigating his identity as a "twunk," embarks on a self-destructive journey in search of answers to his troubles and to secure his sister's unwavering support.

The Male Gaze: Celluloid Dreams

2021 Compilation

A compilation of 7 timeless stories portrays the nature of gay relationships between men from the 1980s to the present.

The French Boys 3

2022 Compilation

Through the mediums of dance, graffiti and elementary school dress-up, these French boys young and old show that whether it's coming out or getting that guy - you had better do it in style.

The Male Gaze: French Connection

2024 Compilation

Five stories from France about a love left unsaid on the soccer field, a third invite to an intimate chat, a fast-approaching farewell, and a friendship that evolves into something complicated.

The Houseboy

2007 Drama, Romance

Ricky, grappling with online meets and substance abuse, contemplates suicide until an unexpected connection with another boy sparks hope and new perspectives on life.

Pedro

2008 Drama

Pedro Zamora's life, from his Cuban childhood to his activism and reality TV fame, challenges AIDS stereotypes in 'The Real World' and beyond.

SHORT FILM

The Mess He Made

2017 Drama

A man spends 15 minutes waiting for the results of a Rapid HIV Test.

No Sad Songs

1985 Documentary

Jim and Catherine share personal stories of love and loss amid the AIDS epidemic in Canada, interwoven with performances highlighting its profound impact on society and individuals.