Florida Premiere
Ryan Spahn, 2020, USA, 65 mins

Based on out-actor Ryan Spahn’s play of the same name and shot entirely on computers during the Covid-19 Pandemic, Nora Highland, follows the casting process of a notable gay character in an upcoming Broadway revival. Mirroring reality, the film explores the problematic phenomenon of straight performers being lauded for their work in queer roles. To date 50+ straight/cis actors have been nominated for Oscars for playing queer characters. Just this year two straight performers were Oscar-nominated for playing queer roles while there were ZERO queer performers nominated. Only one queer actor has ever been nominated for doing the same…that was Ian McKellen.