MAP YOUR LOVE INTERACTIVE
Inspired by our anthology film, Map Your Love is a living collection of authentic queer stories from around the world. Answer thought-provoking questions, such as where you shared your first kiss or what makes you feel safe, and pin your story to the place where it happened. With every story shared, the map grows into a living archive of queer memory, connection, and belonging. Your experiences may inspire conversations, creative collaborations, and even future films. Wherever you are, you are invited to share your story anonymously and connect with others across borders. Write as much or as little as you like, or upload a photo, video, or audio clip. Explore the stories already on the map, leave a comment if something resonates with you, and become part of a global community creating a shared portrait of queer life, one story at a time.
How to Use
THE ANTHOLOGY
A collection of four short films created by 75 SHOTS in collaboration with filmmakers across thirteen countries. Together, they reveal deeply personal queer stories from the Global South that are rarely seen or heard. Screened exclusively in private gatherings to protect the artists and the communities they represent.
With a dozen artists in thirteen countries across the Global South, we revealed and connected intimate stories of resilience, joy, struggles, and triumphs. Due to safety concerns of the creators living in countries where homosexuality is criminalized, the films in this anthology are only shown in safe spaces at private in-person events. See below for a description of the anthology, and where they will be screening next.
MAP YOUR LOVE ANTHOLOGY
Map Your Love is a non-linear anthology created entirely on smartphones through 75 SHOTS’ collaborative Pocket Cinema methodology. Developed by a collective of emerging queer filmmakers from the Global South and its diaspora, the films emerged from a shared creative journey of mentorship, experimentation, and reflection.
Through hands-on training in both the conceptual and technical aspects of filmmaking, the artists explored personal experiences, memories, and imagined worlds. Each exercise opened new possibilities, with stories evolving through conversation, play, vulnerability, and collective exchange. Together, the filmmakers shaped narratives that reflect their lived realities while making space for imagination, queer joy, love, and resilience.
The result is a collection of intimate films that reveal the diverse emotional landscapes of queer life in communities where queer identity and expression can carry profound risks. Rooted in solidarity and collective storytelling, Map Your Love is a testament to the power of communities creating, learning, and dreaming together.
Note: The anthology showcases a spectrum of voices and experiences, including two films featuring individuals who have courageously disclosed their identities despite the risks they face. These films are presented exclusively in safe spaces with strict security protocols. Recording is prohibited to protect the safety, privacy, and anonymity of all involved.
Funded by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec.
THE FILMS
Ouvrez-moi la porte ( Open up )
This film explores the complex emotional landscape of a queer individual living in a country where homosexuality is criminalized. Through a chorus of voices representing the inner conflict between shame, fear, and survival, alongside hope and the desire for liberation, the narrative delves into the hidden psychological struggles behind closed doors. Interspersed with stark imagery of locked spaces, the film offers a poignant reflection on what might be unfolding within the confines of secrecy, urging viewers to consider these often-overlooked lives with empathy. Ouvrez-moi la porte is a meditation on resilience, self-liberation, and the pursuit of acceptance in the face of oppression.
Kauyure ( Nameless )
Kauyure tells the poignant story of a young man from Burkina Faso grappling with his identity and self-worth. The film opens with him preparing a meal and reflecting on his past in an interview format. He recounts his early struggles with his sexuality, including a near-tragic attempt at suicide, which was averted by his supportive cousin and first love. Through their intervention and his own journey towards self-acceptance, he learns to embrace his true self and finds solace in loving himself. The film poignantly highlights his experiences of love, particularly with foreigners, offering a candid exploration of his quest for connection and acceptance. Kauyure is a powerful testament to resilience and the transformative power of self-love.
Wildly Authentic
Wildly Authentic intricately examines the quest for identity and origins through the contemplative lens of a child grappling with profound existential questions. The film delves into the child's reflections on their background, the nature of love, and the possibility of unknown connections, be it a sperm donor, an adopted parent, or an international long distance one night stand. With narration provided by queer voices of diverse genders, the film explores themes of conception, family, and self-discovery. Through evocative imagery entirely shot on smartphones, and a multitude of cultural influences, Wildly Authentic presents a reflection on the search for belonging and the multifaceted nature of identity.
The Source
The Source intimately portrays the journey of a trans man in Tanzania as he seeks acceptance and self-realization. The film captures a poignant day spent at the beach with his father, who imparts life lessons and teaches him to swim. Through this act of shared experience and open dialogue, the father offers a profound model of unconditional love and acceptance. Drawing parallels to his own past struggles with societal rejection as a Rastaman, the father’s wisdom becomes a source of strength and comfort for his son. The Source elegantly explores themes of identity, familial bonds, and personal growth, highlighting the transformative impact of love and understanding.
Upcoming Events
Past Screenings
Wild Pride @ Cinéma Public, Montréal , Québec, August 2026
Malmö Pride, Malmö, Sweden, July 2026
Conseil Québécois LGBT Congress, Orford, Québec, May 2026
Det Lila Rum, Copenhagen, Denmark, April 2026
Malmö Queer Film Festival, Malmö, Sweden, April 2026
Hypnos Cinema, Malmö, Sweden, October, 2025
Brûlances, Radical Queer Festival, Montréal, Canada June 2025
Undisclosed youth screening, Porterville, South Africa, April 2025
Undisclosed queer activists screening, Accra, Ghana, July 2024
Undisclosed queer activists screening, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, July 2024
Undisclosed queer activists screening, Lagos, Nigeria, June 2024
Undisclosed trans activists screening, Dar em Salam, June 2024
Undisclosed trans activists screening, Mbabane, Eswatini, June 2024
Undisclosed feminist activists screening, Harare, Zimbabwe, March 2024
McCord Stewart Museum Montréal, Canada, March 2024