The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) kicks off Pride Month in style as In the Closet, Ajahnis Charley's hilarious and intimate docu-series about non-binary fashion and identity, premieres May 25 on the NFB's YouTube channel.
Two episodes from this 6 x 13-minute series will be released exclusively on YouTube every Monday at 8 p.m. EDT, from May 25 to June 8.
The online premiere follows a screening and variety show on May 24 at the 36th Annual Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival.
About In the Closet
Figuring out who you are is messy-especially when the world is telling you you're "not non-binary enough."
In the Closet is written, directed and hosted by Ajahnis Charley-a Black, non-binary writer, filmmaker and comedian based in Toronto-who raids their enby besties' closets looking to affirm both their identity and their hotness.
Ajahnis is joined in the series by iconic comedian Bren D'Souza, actor Amanda Cordner, improviser to the stars D.J. Mausner, creator Meg MacKay and Drag Queen extraordinaire Chelazon Leroux.
Yes, they're in a literal closet, but these non-binary artists are anything but closeted, in a docu-series that isn't afraid to wear its heart on its drop sleeves.
Complete schedule
Starting May 25
- J. Mausner Is Literally Gender Goals
Ajahnis gets into it with writer and activist D.J. Mausner-who loves to play with formalwear but doesn't play with politics.
- Chelazon Leroux Pulls a Femme Top
"Are you a boy or a girl?" "I'm an icon." Ajahnis kikis in the closet with Drag Queen Chelazon Leroux.
Starting June 1
- Amanda Cordner Found Self-Love in the Strip Club
Ajahnis and actor Amanda Cordner talk auditioning while Black and not fitting in-to clothes or spaces that weren't designed for you.
- Meg Mackay Is Bringing Dress-Up Back
Ajahnis gets all the tea on comedian Meg MacKay's East Coast upbringing, their eclectic androgyny and the oh-so-familiar act of using "customer-service voice."
Starting June 8
- Bren D'souza Puts the A** in Acid Grunge
Ajahnis enables Bren D'Souza's use of psychedelic… prints! From rosaries to rhinestones, Bren knows how to accessorize.
- Ajahnis Charley Is a Real Bougie B*tch
Silk! Suede! Cashmere! Oh my! Ajahnis reflects on the closets we met along the way, clocking their own journey of gender and fashion.
In the Closet: A Very Queer Variety Show
Following the May 24 premiere screening of In the Closet at Inside Out, join Ajahnis Charley and their enby besties for an extra special, one-night only program of performances as part of In the Closet: A Very Queer Variety Show.
Taking place in the TIFF Gallery space, the evening will feature a fashionable blend of standup comedy, drag and improv by familiar faces from the series and special guests. The show is free to attend, with tickets available via the Inside Out website.
About Ajahnis Charley
In addition to starring in the HBO miniseries Station Eleven and Bell Media's sitcom Shelved, story editing and writing for shows like Bria Mack Gets a Life, Stay Tooned, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, The Beaverton and Because News, Ajahnis Charley makes art about and for the queer community. They've written and directed for the web series The Bloom Room and worked with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre's Queer Youth Cabaret and Just for Laughs. In the Closet will be their second film project with the NFB. Their first was I AM GAY, a short film for the NFB's pandemic series, The Curve.
