Every week, the GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBTQ-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend!
1) On Monday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS) announced the shortlists for nominees in several categories for the 91st annual Academy Awards. Some exciting LGBTQ and inclusive nominees include the Troye Sivan song “Revelation” from Boy Erased in the Original Song category, along with A Star is Born’s “Shallow,” performed and written by Lady Gaga, and “Girl in the Movies” from Dumplin’, co-written by Dolly Parton and out songwriter Linda Perry. Crazy Rich Asians is on the list for Original Score, as well as Bohemian Rhapsody for Makeup and Hairstyling. Feature documentary Dark Money, made by trans filmmaker Kimberly Reed, was named to the shortlist, as well as Won’t You Be My Neighbor. The official Oscar nominations will be announced on January 22, see the full shortlists here.
2) A new film, Ammonite, has been announced from Francis Lee, the director of last year’s God’s Own Country. Saoirse Ronan and Kate Winslet will star as the romantic leads of the film, which takes place in the UK in the 19th Century. Ronan will play a paleontologist who unexpectedly must play nursemaid to Winslet’s wealthy character. Shooting for Ammonite begins in March.
3) Kyra Sedgwick, Valeria Stadler and Meredith Bagby have partnered to form a new production company, Big Swing Productions, and have announced several upcoming LGBTQ-inclusive projects. These include Girls Weekend, the Sundance selection about a queer woman coming home to Las Vegas and her dysfunctional family; The F**king New Guys, 
which follows the first people of marginalized identities in space, including the first queer person; Taffeta, a romantic comedy with a queer woman at its center; Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, a queer love story between two Mexican-American teenagers based on the bestselling novel; a TV adaptation of The Authentics from out author Abdi Nazemian; and The Summer of Jordi Perez based on a YA novel about a gay teen who falls for her coworker.
4) Several LGBTQ-inclusive films are still playing in theaters around the country over the upcoming holiday weekend, with many more expanding into more cities. Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody is still playing in several theaters. Boy Erased will be spreading its anti-conversion therapy message in more cities; as are the period pieces Mary Queen of Scots and The Favourite. Musical Anna and the Apocalypse is still playing, as is the PG-13 remake of Deadpool 2, Once Upon a Deadpool, and dark comedy Can You Ever Forgive Me? See if these films are playing in a theater near you, and make sure the catch them before the year is up!
5) A new trailer has been released for Season 5 of Schitt’s Creek, which is coming up in the new year on Pop TV. The show follows the Rose family, who, after having to leave their wealthy lifestyle to live in the titular town, find their way about what really matters most in life. The cast includes pansexual son David, played by out co-creator Dan Levy. The fifth season continues to follow David’s relationship with business partner Patrick. Season 5 will premiere in the U.S. on January 16 on Pop TV.
We have one more Christmas gift for you, Canada…
Presenting: The full #SchittsCreek Season 5 trailer!
See you January 8th on @CBC and CBC Gem! pic.twitter.com/Ttj6iyGeso
— Schitt’s Creek (@SchittsCreek) December 19, 2018
6) The trailer has also been released for Season 5 of TLC’s GLAAD Media Award-recipient I Am Jazz, following the life of Jazz Jennings, a transgender teen girl. The fifth season will continue to explore Jazz’s transition as well as introducing a new love interest, Amir, into the show. The newest season of the reality series will also cover Jazz going to prom and turning 18. I Am Jazz returns on January 1 and the trailer is available here.
7) A teaser has been released for the upcoming second half of the final season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The video, an homage to Living Single, shows what the imagined sitcom would feel like if it was led by gay character Titus Andromedon, played by out actor Tituss Burgess. Watch the video below and catch Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt when it returns to Netflix for its final six episodes on January 25.
8) Earlier this week, Bravo announced that they are moving forward with a reboot of Showtime’s groundbreaking Queer as Folk, which was based on the British series helmed by out creator Russell T. Davies. Davies is back on board for the new series, which will feature brand new characters in a new setting.
9) Netflix announced on Thursday that out gay figure skater Johnny Weir will star in their new ice skating series, Spinning Out, as a competitor that will stop at nothing to win. The show will also star Skins’ Kaya Scodelario. In further Netflix news, popular series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, which features pansexual character Ambrose Spellman and non-binary actor Lachlan Watson, has been renewed for Seasons 3 and 4 by the streaming service.
10) BuzzFeed announced this week that bisexual writer Ashley C. Ford would be the new host of their weekly interview show Profile, in which she’ll sit down to have long-form interviews with influential people in pop culture. Profile is released each Sunday on BuzzFeed.
We’re thrilled to announce Ashley C. Ford (@iSmashFizzle) will be the brand new host of our interview show PROFILE
Ashley is a celebrated writer and a TV and podcast host. Follow PROFILE on Facebook to see her interview the biggest names in news t.co/G4tt1M4y9a pic.twitter.com/UzrkMV3vIN
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) December 18, 2018
11) British short docu-drama Have We Met Before is currently seeking funding for continued production. The film, from filmmaker Oliver Mason, plans to explore how sex and relationships between gay men have evolved in the past decades with the advent of the Internet. The film has been selected by the BBC and BFI for the Born Digital Scheme 2019, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Internet. Click here to help support the film.
