Mama Bears

Through the deep love for their queer kids, Mama Bears became the most supportive allies of rainbow community. Full of warmth and tenderness, on the other hand they are real-life fighters, ready to show what they got, when it comes to fight for their children’s rights.

The movie also follows the struggles of young LGBTQ+ people to accept themselves, which perfectly shows us why the existence of Mama Bears is so important. The Mamas, risking the loss of bounds with friends, family and church communities, are putting the support and safety of their children on the first place, even if it turns their world upside down and requires total change of everything they believe in. As one of the Mama Bears said: I used to see LGBTQIA+ community as people who need help to see the Truth, who need to be saved from hell. But Mama’s love for children changes everything.

The movie clashes different worlds on both sides of the camera: here we got a queer, progressive, Afro-American female director on the one side, a white, conservative Christians on the other. For director Daresha Kyi, the risk that Mamas took while coming out of their comfort, normative space was the most impressive part of this project.

🏆 Palm Springs International Film Festival 2023 – Local Jury Award, Honorable Mention
🏆 Cleveland International Film Festival 2022 – Local Heroes Competition – Daresha Kyi
🏆 FilmOut San Diego, US 2022 – FilmOut Festival Award, Best Documentary
🏆 Sun Valley Film Festival, US 2022 – Best Documentary Feature
🏆 Calgary International Film Festival 2022 – Best International Documentary, Nominee
🏆 SXSW Film Festival 2022 – SXSW Grand Jury Award, Documentary Feature, Nominee