In time for the huge celebration of Pride coming up this weekend, the Calgary International Film Festival has announced 2015’s LGBTQ+ selections – and what a roster it entails.

From the much talked about Freeheld, starring Canada’s beloved Ellen Page and Hollywood royal Julianne Moore, to the Brazilian short by director Flavio Alves, Tom in America, the nine selections offered in this year’s line up are sure to cater something to everyone’s cinematic tastes.

Freeheld, part of the festival’s Headliner Series, follows the true-life story of Detective Lieutenant Laurel Hester (Moore) who, following the diagnosis of terminal cancer, battles her last fight for Stacie Andree (Page), the woman she loves, and their right to equality. Steve Carrell and Michael Shannon join the cast of this ‘tension-filled political drama’, under the direction of  Peter Sollett. Page will also appear in the Canadian Headline Series film Into the Forest, opposite Evan Rachel Wood, which sees two forest-dwelling sisters realize the world around them has fallen into the "brink of apocalypse". The ‘dystopian drama’ is based on the book by Jean Helgland of the same name, and directed by Patricia Rozema (When Night is Falling).

Closet Monster, also a Canadian selection, offers a "fresh take on a coming-of-age-story". Oscar (Connor Jessup) leads a troubling life: his mother is absent; his father is abusive; he is tortured by the memory of a homophobic act he witnessed while a child – all amid the dawning of his own sexuality. He takes solace in a relationship with a hamster (voiced by Isabella Rossellini), and becomes taken with a rebel coworker (Aliocha Schneider). This will mark acclaimed short director Stephen Dunn’s debut entry into feature length film.

Naz & Maalik, U.S., has already roped in an assortment of awards for its "stark realism" and intense storyline. Naz and Maalik are black, devout Muslim and gay teenagers struggling to hide their forbidden relationship from both their families and the racist, Islamophobic FBI agents tailing them for the petty crimes they engage in to generate some income.

A Trois on y va (All About Them) is a French/Belgian rom-com that tells the story of a couple both having a secret affair with the same woman, all conveyed with a European lightness and charm.

Love 3D is a ‘sexual melodrama’ conveyed in 3D, a first for director Gaspar Noé, "known for pushing buttons and toeing the edge". While Murphy (Karl Glusman) recalls his relationship with a missing ex, a host of dark and sexually graphic memories come back to mind. Expect to be aroused.

The Summer of Sangaile sees a unique collaboration between France, Lithuania and the Netherlands to set the gorgeous backdrop for this story of two teenaged girls relishing the last days of summer and the innocence of first time love. The sensual cinematography offered under the direction of Alanté Kavaïté will surely leave you without breath.

The Summer of Sangaile - Trailer from MSP Film Society on Vimeo.

The Amina Profile follows the kidnapping of Syrian lesbian blogger Amina Arraf, who disappeared in 2011 during the Arab Spring revolts. Her partner, Canadian activist Sandra Bagaria, in mourning and seeking answers, begins a journey that will lead her through a tangle of lies and betrayals. This documentary took a Special Jury Prize at this year’s Hot Docs festival and was nominated at Sundance.

Avilaq: Entwined explores a plot perhaps never explored before. When the love interest of a gay Inuit woman marries her best friend, the three attempt a ‘plural marriage’, but their shifting society holds objections. This Canadian short is directed by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril.

And finally Tom in America stars two Academy Award nominees – Burt Young and Sally Kirkland – as a couple who, after 50 years of marriage, come to turmoil when a "provocative Tom of Finland doll triggers Michael’s long-buried desires" and secrets come to surface.

The Summer of Sangaile - Trailer from MSP Film Society on Vimeo.

Guest actors and directors have also been revealed for this year’s festival, so do check out the website and stay posted for screen times. The Opening Gala will take place on Wednesday, September 23^rd at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, and will feature the heartbreaking Hank Williams biopic I Saw the Light. Director Marc Abraham will be in attendance.