The Hunky Jesus Canadian premiere will unite members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence from across Canada in Toronto.
Toronto, ON — The upcoming feature documentary Hunky Jesus is set to make its Canadian premiere at the Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival later this month, bringing one of San Francisco’s most recognizable queer cultural traditions to Toronto audiences.
The screening will take place on May 24, 2026 at TIFF Lightbox as part of the festival’s 36th annual edition.
Directed by filmmaker Jennifer Kroot, the documentary explores San Francisco’s long-running “Hunky Jesus” Easter celebration, an annual event organized by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence since 1995.
A Documentary Exploring Queerness, Faith, and Activism
The film examines how the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have used drag performance, satire, activism, and community outreach to challenge exclusionary attitudes surrounding religion, gender identity, and sexuality.
Hosted by Sister Roma and Honey Mahogany, the documentary captures the group’s signature mix of humour, performance art, and political commentary while also exploring the deeper social and cultural issues connected to their activism.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were originally founded in San Francisco in 1979 and have since expanded internationally, including several Canadian chapters operating in cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, and Montreal.
Canadian Presence at the Toronto Premiere
Festival organizers and publicists involved with the film say members of Canada’s various Sisters orders are expected to attend the Toronto screening, highlighting the organization’s longstanding presence within Canadian queer and activist communities.
Toronto holds a particularly significant place in the history of the organization, as the city became home to one of the earliest chapters established outside San Francisco.
According to organizers, the Canadian orders reflect a multilingual and multicultural approach to advocacy, with members involved in community outreach, fundraising, harm reduction, and LGBTQ+ awareness initiatives.
Inside Out Continues Spotlight on Diverse Queer Storytelling
The premiere adds to this year’s lineup at the Inside Out Film Festival, one of Canada’s leading showcases for 2SLGBTQ+ cinema and storytelling.
In addition to documenting a globally recognized queer tradition, Hunky Jesus arrives amid broader public conversations around identity, inclusion, activism, and the role of performance art in social movements.
The film’s themes of “radical joy,” satire, and community advocacy are expected to resonate strongly with festival audiences, particularly at a time when LGBTQ+ rights and representation remain major social and political topics across North America.
Screening Details
- Film: Hunky Jesus
- Festival: Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival
- Date: May 24, 2026
- Venue: TIFF Lightbox Cinema 2
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
Additional information and festival programming details are available through the Inside Out Film Festival.
Follow @GTAWeeklyNews for more coverage of film festivals, live events, and the artists shaping Toronto’s cultural scene.
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