Experiencing Interruptions?

Lesbians in Boystown

LESBIANS IN BOYSTOWN reveals the forgotten history of lesbians and queer women in West Hollywood, the first “gay city” in the U.S. The documentary honors lesbian activism through Dyke Marches, the AIDS crisis, nonprofit organizing, and grassroots work ensuring that this legacy is remembered despite our culture’s predilection towards lesbian invisibility. Since the late 1990s, lesbian bars, bookstores, cafés, and gathering spaces have been disappearing across the U.S. raising questions about visibility, infrastructure, and belonging. Ultimately, LESBIANS IN BOYSTOWN asks how can we build an enduring community for lesbians and queer women today?

  • Betsy Kalin
    Director
    East LA Interchange, Chained!, Vision 2030: Future of SoCal, Roof, Hearts Cracked Open
  • Betsy Kalin
    Writer
  • Chris Chew
    Writer
    Falling for Caroline, Slow Burn, Click
  • Kait Sookdeo
    Writer
  • Betsy Kalin
    Producer
  • Chris Chew
    Producer
  • Diane Abbitt
    Key Cast
  • Lynn Ballen
    Key Cast
  • Angela Brinskele
    Key Cast
  • Claudette Colbert
    Key Cast
  • Lauren Costine
    Key Cast
  • Marna Deitch
    Key Cast
  • John Duran
    Key Cast
  • John Heilman
    Key Cast
  • MoJen Jenkins
    Key Cast
  • Sheri Lunn
    Key Cast
  • Alana Roshay
    Key Cast
  • Nadia Sutton
    Key Cast
  • Sepi Shyne
    Key Cast
  • Zekiah Wright
    Key Cast
  • Betsy Kalin
    Editors
  • Chris Chew
    Editors
  • Melanie Cedeño-Lopez
    Editors
  • Rachael Hastings Adair
    Cinematographer
  • Shannon Hayden
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Historical, LGBTQ
  • Runtime:
    26 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 3, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Hollywood Queer Short Film Festival
    Hollywood, CA
    United States
    October 4, 2025
    World Premiere
    Jury Award for Best Documentary & Audience Award for Favorite Film at the Festival
  • Nevada Women's Film Festival
    Las Vegas, NV
    United States
    March 21, 2026
    Winner, Outstanding LGBTQ+ Representation Award and Nominee, Spirit of Activism Award
  • Davis Feminist Film Festival
    Davis, CA
    United States
    May 9, 2026
  • Cinema Systers Film Festival
    Paducah, KY
    United States
    May 22, 2026
  • QFest St. Louis
    St. Louis, MO
    United States
    June 13, 2026
  • UFVA Annual Conference
    Minneapolis, MN
    United States
    April 30, 2026
Distribution Information
  • Itchy Bee Productions
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
Director Biography - Betsy Kalin

Betsy Kalin is an award-winning director/producer/writer at Itchy Bee Productions who believes in the power of storytelling to create change by inspiring dialogue and challenging perceptions. Her documentaries Vision 2030: Future of SoCal and its follow-up Vision 2021: Future of SoCal were both Emmy-nominated. Her previous documentary East LA Interchange won ten jury and audience awards and was broadcast on Spectrum News 1. Her films Roof, Chained!, and Hearts Cracked Open have been honored with multiple awards at festivals around the world. She is an Assistant Professor in Film at the University of Central Florida.

Add Director Biography