OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Fall Edition – “Young Hearts” Opening Night Film + Afterparty

“Young Hearts” (Belgium/Netherlands, 2023), a profound story exploring first love, will open this year’s OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival, internationally acclaimed as one of the largest LGBTQ+ cultural festivals in the world, on Thursday, October 17, at 7 p.m., at Regal Dania Pointe. An afterparty at the Dania Improv will take place immediately following the screening.

Fourteen-year-old Elias (Lou Goossens, in a breakthrough performance) lives a carefree life in his charming Belgian town until the arrival of Alex, a cool new neighbor. As Elias’s feelings for Alex deepen, he embarks on a journey of self-acceptance and emotional discovery, making for a touching and rewarding experience. Filmed beautifully in the Belgian countryside, Young Hearts is a refreshing exploration of first love. Writer/director Anthony Schatteman’s feature debut delivers a unique story that resonates on multiple levels: a balm for those whose initial queer experiences were traumatic, a mirror for today’s LGBTQ+ youth, and a hopeful message for parents of future generations.

In Dutch and French with English subtitles, the film runs 97 minutes.

OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival is proud to present its fall edition from October 17 – November 3! For the first time in its event history, OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival will offer 62 acclaimed features and shorts including premieres and documentaries from 25 countries that inspire, entertain and educate uniting cinema enthusiasts in both Broward and Miami-Dade counties during one run.
OUTspoken, and OUTstanding, this year’s OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival fall edition is sponsored, in part, by Twist Night Club, Lexi Goza State Farm, Funding Arts Broward, Broward County Cultural Division, The Our Fund Foundation, OutClique, HotSpots and It’s Happening Out, OUTSFL, Skirt Magazine, Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami Beach, Prevention 305 and Gilead.
Ticket subscription packages and individual tickets are on sale now. OUTshine passholders and Producer Circle members receive priority advance ticket purchase opportunities. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit outshinefilm.com.