Eric Ulloa & Andrew Keenan-Bolger's MIKEY'S ARMY to Make NYC Debut at NewFest's LGBTQ+ Film Festival

Mikey’s Army will make its New York City festival debut as part of NewFest’s 35th Annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival which runs October 12 - 24, 2023. A fierce and fabulous coming of age story written by Eric Ulloa (The Nana Project, Nickelodeon’s “Meet the Alphabeats”) and directed by Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Submissions Only, Sign) is set to screen on Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 12 PM at Nitehawk Prospect Park (188 Prospect Park, West Brooklyn) and Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 4 PM at SVA Theatre (333 W 23rd St, NYC). Tickets can be purchased online here. 

Mikey’s Army appears in the festival as part of NewFest’s sixth consecutive year of partnership with the NYC Department of Education and participating schools to curate LGBTQ+ films specifically for teen audiences. These affirming short films give young queer folks the opportunity to see themselves reflected on screen and inspire them to share their own stories.

Ulloa and Keenan-Bolger’s new film has taken the festival circuit by storm receiving rave reviews from audiences and critics alike at LA’s OUTFEST QTBIPOC Festival, Cinema Diverse Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival, Reel Q LGBTQ+ Film Festival, Out Film CT Connecticut LGBTQ+ Film Festival, Washington D.C.’s Reel Affirmations Film Festival, Chicago’s Pride Film Festival, and Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. 

Founded in 1988 in direct response to the AIDS crisis, The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival has been a tentpole of NYC’s queer cultural scene. In the subsequent years, NewFest has expanded into a film and media organization with year-long programs to serve all facets of the LGBTQ+ community.

Mikey’s Army tells the story of 16-year-old Mikey Alvarez who finds himself at a pivotal moment – that moment when you know it’s time to be open and honest about what you’re feeling inside and finally speak your truth. Not feeling quite ready for such a moment, Mikey unwittingly conjures courage from a trio of  fierce and fabulous guides who appear in an explosion of glitter and glitz. Can a Drag Queen, an international Pop star, and an action film heartthrob tackle a mission this big and give Mikey the confidence he needs?

The cast of Mikey’s Army features Mark “Markie” Aguirre as Mikey, Claybourne Elder (“The Gilded Age”) as Chad Hartman, Krystina Alabado (Better Nate Than Never) as Autumn Jones, Shuga Cain (“RuPaul's Drag Race”) as Lady Slay, Jennifer Sanchez (Submissions Only) as Mom, and Timmy Thompson as Brian. 

The creative team for Mikey’s Army also includes cinematography by Alejandro Mejía AMC, editing by Andrew Keenan-Bolger, production design by Rachel Buksbazen, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, and Sandy Shelton. 

Thomas Schumacher, Drama Club Productions and Reyana Productions are executive producers.