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Defying The Hate Collection GBFF2026 "Hate has nothing on us"
Overcoming hate and adversity, this collection of films shows inspiring stories of resilience from strong characters who defy the haters
Falling from the Straight and Narrow (2026)
A stark and honest examination of coming out later in life and what it's like to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community in the world of MAGA
A word about Falling From the Straight and Narrow from Writer/Director James Yaw:
This screenplay started out life as a monologue written for a live performance in Sedona, Arizona called The Awesome Difficult Work of Love. That show brought together people from various walks of life to talk about learning to love themselves through personal struggles. It was vulnerable and cathartic to stand in that spotlight and open my closet door. I realized there was another character that informed the conflict so I reworked it as the screenplay for Falling From The Straight and Narrow. The Agent (played beautifully by Garrett Rader) is the embodiment of society as it desperately tries to keep my closet door shut and prevent me (and us) from being a danger to the world. Falling From the Straight and Narrow is a stark, honest look at the internal struggles of coming out in America despite the stereotypes and expectations of society especially in the era of MAGA.”
Please tell us your motivation for making your film:
I wanted to tell the story of coming out later in life and explore the regrets of living a lie in a world that rewards passing as straight.
What are the themes and central messages you wanted to convey with your submission?:
A stark and honest examination of coming out later in life and what it's like to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community in the world of MAGA
Credits:
James Yaw
Director
Mercy, Suffer The Innocents
James Yaw
Writer
Mercy, Suffer The Innocents
Angel Peavey
Producer
The Ferryman, Was It Real?
James Yaw
Key Cast
"Jimmy"
Garrett Rader
Key Cast
"Agent"
Angel Peavey
Director of Photography
Specs:
Project Type:
Short
Runtime:
15 minutes 15 seconds
Completion Date:
July 4, 2024
Production Budget:
500 USD
Country of Origin:
United States
Country of Filming:
United States
Language:
English
Shooting Format:
Digital
Film Color:
Black & White and Color
First-time Filmmaker:
No
Student Project:
No
https://marginalizedmedia.com/
- Year2026
- Runtime00:15:15
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- Rating
- Subtitle LanguageEnglish
- Content WarningHomophobia, Internalized Homophobia and Externalized Homophobia, Confrontation, Homophobia, straight passing, comp het, white male privilege, Don't Ask Don't Tell, MAGA, Bigotry, Racism, FEAR, The Closet, being closeted, Coming Out
- Social Media
- DirectorJames Yaw
- ScreenwriterJames Yaw
- ProducerAngel Peavey
Defying The Hate Collection GBFF2026 "Hate has nothing on us"
Overcoming hate and adversity, this collection of films shows inspiring stories of resilience from strong characters who defy the haters
Falling from the Straight and Narrow (2026)
A stark and honest examination of coming out later in life and what it's like to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community in the world of MAGA
A word about Falling From the Straight and Narrow from Writer/Director James Yaw:
This screenplay started out life as a monologue written for a live performance in Sedona, Arizona called The Awesome Difficult Work of Love. That show brought together people from various walks of life to talk about learning to love themselves through personal struggles. It was vulnerable and cathartic to stand in that spotlight and open my closet door. I realized there was another character that informed the conflict so I reworked it as the screenplay for Falling From The Straight and Narrow. The Agent (played beautifully by Garrett Rader) is the embodiment of society as it desperately tries to keep my closet door shut and prevent me (and us) from being a danger to the world. Falling From the Straight and Narrow is a stark, honest look at the internal struggles of coming out in America despite the stereotypes and expectations of society especially in the era of MAGA.”
Please tell us your motivation for making your film:
I wanted to tell the story of coming out later in life and explore the regrets of living a lie in a world that rewards passing as straight.
What are the themes and central messages you wanted to convey with your submission?:
A stark and honest examination of coming out later in life and what it's like to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community in the world of MAGA
Credits:
James Yaw
Director
Mercy, Suffer The Innocents
James Yaw
Writer
Mercy, Suffer The Innocents
Angel Peavey
Producer
The Ferryman, Was It Real?
James Yaw
Key Cast
"Jimmy"
Garrett Rader
Key Cast
"Agent"
Angel Peavey
Director of Photography
Specs:
Project Type:
Short
Runtime:
15 minutes 15 seconds
Completion Date:
July 4, 2024
Production Budget:
500 USD
Country of Origin:
United States
Country of Filming:
United States
Language:
English
Shooting Format:
Digital
Film Color:
Black & White and Color
First-time Filmmaker:
No
Student Project:
No
https://marginalizedmedia.com/
- Year2026
- Runtime00:15:15
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- Rating
- Subtitle LanguageEnglish
- Content WarningHomophobia, Internalized Homophobia and Externalized Homophobia, Confrontation, Homophobia, straight passing, comp het, white male privilege, Don't Ask Don't Tell, MAGA, Bigotry, Racism, FEAR, The Closet, being closeted, Coming Out
- Social Media
- DirectorJames Yaw
- ScreenwriterJames Yaw
- ProducerAngel Peavey
