The Cousin

A sheltered, sensitive teenager visits his tough, older cousin in Laredo, Texas and learns a hard lesson about what it means to be a man.

FirstOut 3

This third volume of award-winning gay-themed shorts serves up a spectrum of complex emotions -- from coming-of-age angst to secretive shame. Selections include writer-director Anthony Meindl's "Ready? OK!" in which an 11-year-old boy discovers a passion for cheerleading, and Todd Bartoo's "Coffee," in which two friends investigate a rumor that their best friend's ex is gay. Other works include Nick Oceano's "El Primo" and Adam Lipsius's "4º."

Bird Lakes

Ray has to tell his crush, Gloria, that he likes her before she leaves for college. The story unfolds during a basketball game at the local park, where Ray tries to find the right moment to confess his feelings while playing with his friends. The film captures his struggle to balance his nerves and the excitement of the game, highlighting the challenge of speaking up before it’s too late.