Get ready to be starstruck, gender bent and a bit horny. The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which launches on Sept 6, is offering up a new batch of flicks for queer audiences.

 

Noah Cowan, the artistic director of TIFF Bell Lightbox, sat down with Xtra to give his top picks from this year’s offering. Below is Cowan’s list.

 

The Paperboy, directed by the openly gay Lee Daniels, stars Nicole Kidman, Matthew McConaughey, John Cusack and features a scantily dressed Zac Efron. Yum.

 

Inventing David Geffen is a documentary on the often polarizing gay music producer who helped shape the careers of Cher, Elton John and Neil Young. The notoriously media-shy Geffen will be in town for a rare Q & A at TIFF’s American Masters conversation program.

 

Canadian wunderkind Xavier Dolan is back at TIFF again this year with his third feature, Laurence Anyways. 

 

Toronto-born rock star and performance artist Peaches is also back in Toronto with Peaches Does Herself. The film, billed as a transsexual rock opera, is accompanied by performances at The Drake. Expect something outrageous. Or, considering that it's Peach, expect the expected.    

 

And finally, Out in the Dark, by Israeli director Michael Mayer, tells the story of two gorgeous star-crossed lovers who attempt to cross the great Israeli-Palestinian divide. The film should provide political types with lots of fodder for heated discussions. But will anyone get laid?

 

Watch xtra.ca for all your queer updates from TIFF. Text your best film buddies and make a date; it’s looking like a lot of fun.

Below is our interview with Cowan, accompanied by film clips.