Smaller, independent films are garnering interest on the worldwide stage as streaming sites make content more accessible. What’s more, Hollywood is beginning to understand that LGBTQ filmmakers are the best shepherds to bring queer stories to life. More and more filmmakers are not only embracing queer characters and storylines, but learning from criticism about the difference between tokenizing “representation” and authentic and textured storytelling. Oscars or not, there is still so much to celebrate in queer cinema. Celine Sciamma’s stunning masterpiece “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” was passed over as France’s Oscar submission in favor of Ladj Ly’s “Les Miserables,” and Levan Akin’s powerful coming-of-age story “And Then We Danced” was recently left off the short list for Best International Feature. That’s not a reflection of the many excellent LGBTQ films released this year, of which there are a variety. Alas, barring any big surprises, the streak may be broken at next year’s ceremony. “Carol” in 2016, “Moonlight” in 2017, “Call Me by Your Name” and “A Fantastic Woman” in 2018, “The Favourite” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” in 2019. Over the course of the last four years, there has been at least one queer film in the Oscar race each year.
