LGBTQ+ Film Masc Explores Identity and Belonging

A new LGBTQ+ drama exploring masculinity, autism and self-acceptance is preparing for its US premiere at New York's NewFest film festival. Masc, directed by Bertil Nilsson, follows a young queer man who repeatedly changes his appearance and behaviour as he tries to understand where he belongs.

The 83-minute film screens at BAM Cinemas on Wednesday 21 October 2026, following appearances at the BFI London Film Festival earlier this month. Its story centres on the pressure to meet other people's expectations and the difficulty of understanding yourself when you feel compelled to hide important parts of who you are.

What is Masc about?

Joshua Griffin plays Robin, a young man navigating several aspects of his identity while attempting to work out what kind of person he wants to become. Robin is autistic, biracial and queer, and frequently feels uncertain about how he should present himself to others.

As he moves between temporary jobs and relationships, Robin experiments with different appearances, mannerisms and ways of behaving. His attempts to fit in lead to awkward situations and mistakes, but they also become part of a wider journey towards understanding himself.

The film uses moments of humour alongside more intimate scenes, examining the expectations surrounding masculinity without presenting one particular way of being a man as the correct answer. Robin's experiences explore the difference between changing your behaviour to feel accepted and discovering what actually makes you comfortable.

At the centre of the story is the possibility that revealing something he has tried to conceal may be the very thing that allows him to find belonging. That gives the film an emotional focus beyond its depiction of identity and social expectations.

Who created Masc?

Bertil Nilsson directed and produced the film, with the screenplay written by Nilsson and Joshua Griffin. Griffin also leads the cast as Robin, alongside Ed White, Tega Alexander, Reece King and Lincoln Conway.

The film is Nilsson's feature debut and was included in the 2026 BFI London Film Festival programme. It received several London screenings earlier in October before its US premiere at NewFest.

NewFest is one of New York's major LGBTQ+ film events, providing an opportunity for independent productions to reach audiences interested in stories about sexuality, gender and identity. Its selection of Masc introduces Robin's story to another international audience following the film's London appearances.

When and where can audiences watch Masc?

The NewFest screening takes place at BAM Cinemas on 21 October at 7.30pm New York time. A question-and-answer session is scheduled to follow, with open captions for the screening and American Sign Language interpretation for the introduction and discussion.

The film has already screened at the BFI London Film Festival, but a wider UK cinema release or streaming date has not been confirmed. Viewers interested in future availability can follow the film's festival appearances and distribution announcements.

Further information about the New York screening is available through the official NewFest listing. The film's focus on identity, social pressure and belonging gives it a distinctive place among this year's emerging LGBTQ+ dramas.