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      PEM Pride

      Celebrating Queer Narratives in Film

      Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 2—4 pm

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      PEM Pride Queer Narratives

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      In-person event
      Location: Morse Auditorium

      Included with admission

      Recommended for ages 13+

      Join us for an afternoon discussion of queer narratives in film and media with special guests and local experts who are actively uplifting and representing the LGBTQIA+ community in their work.

      First, the Panorama Queer and Trans Film Festival returns to PEM with a special screening of select short films created by LGBTQIA+ filmmakers and directors. Then, Peabody TV presents an episode of the new reality TV series following Salem’s local drag/performing artists collective, the Hometown Queeros.

      After the screenings, stick around for a talkback panel moderated by PEM’s Lillian Santiago, featuring Panorama’s Creative Director Mac Allen, the Queer Videography team and Peabody TV’s Associate Director of Education Randyll Collum. Learn about how these experts tell queer and trans stories through filmmaking, and explore the importance of queer narratives, storytelling and representation in film and media.

      About Hometown Queeros: Hex in the City:

      Get ready to sashay into the heart of Salem like never before. Hometown Queeros: Hex in the City is Peabody TV’s new reality series that follows the vibrant, chaotic and fabulous lives of Salem, Massachusetts's own drag superstars during the busiest month of the year: October.

      Drag queens Miz Diamond Wigfall, Maxine Harrison and Miss Michael join forces with drag kings Buster Pants, Dick Kayin and Peewee Vermin to form the Hometown Queeros, a powerhouse collective that has been lighting up the stages and streets of Salem. Together, they’ve become a staple of the city’s vibrant cultural scene, delivering bold performances, unfiltered moments and endless heart to the Halloween capital.

      From sold-out shows to personal triumphs, costume catastrophes and behind-the-scenes drama, Hometown Queeros: Hex in the City offers an all-access pass to the magic, madness and sheer artistry that defined Salem’s drag community during one unforgettable season in 2024.

      About the collaborators

      Panorama Film Festival
      Panorama Film Festival

      Taking place in the heart of Salem, Massachusetts, the Panorama Film Festival was created by and for the LGBTQIA+ community, utilizing the power of short-form storytelling to foster understanding, empathy and inclusivity. Panorama's mission is to celebrate the wide diversity of experience and talent within the young trans and queer filmmaking community, both in front of and behind the camera. Our goal is to create space for trans and queer artists to tell their own stories and appreciate others' stories without pressure to advocate for or speak on behalf of an entire community.

      Instagram: @Panoramafilmfestival


      Mac Allen
      Mac Allen

      Mac Allen (he/him) is a dynamic filmmaker, creative entrepreneur and advocate for diverse voices in the arts. He is the owner of Sharkboy Stuff, a brand that donates a portion of sales to nonprofit organizations and mutual aid funds, and serves as the Festival Director for the Panorama Film Festival, where he works to amplify emerging filmmakers and underrepresented narratives. In addition to his work in film, Allen is the Event Lead for the New Jersey Queer and Trans Makers Market, fostering community and supporting LGBTQ+ creators. With a passion for storytelling and inclusivity, he is dedicated to shaping spaces where innovation, culture and advocacy intersect.

      Queer Videography
      Queer Videography

      Queer Videography is a full-service video production company based in Salem, MA, that specializes in “telling stories that matter.” With a focus on inclusion, accessibility, authenticity and creativity, they collaborate with mission-driven organizations of all sizes and individuals throughout the U.S. and beyond to bring visions to life through the power of video. Contact them at info@queervideography.com.

      Instagram: @queer.videography

      Peabody TV
      Peabody TV

      Peabody TV is a nonprofit community media center dedicated to empowering local voices through education, storytelling and digital media production. Serving the city of Peabody and surrounding communities, Peabody TV provides residents, organizations and businesses with the tools, training and platforms to create and share their own content across television, social media and other digital spaces.

      Through hands-on workshops, youth programs, professional production services and collaborative creative initiatives, Peabody TV fosters a space where creativity thrives and community stories are brought to life. Whether covering local events, producing original shows or helping the next generation of mediamakers find their voices, Peabody TV is committed to amplifying diverse perspectives and building a more connected community. Instagram: @peabody_tv
      Randyll Collum
      Randyll Collum

      Randyll Collum is a passionate media educator, producer and Salem resident who works as the Associate Director of Education at Peabody TV, located just next door in Peabody, MA. In this role, Randyll leads a range of educational programs designed to teach youth and adults how to create their own media, from video production and lighting to podcasting, editing and distribution. Their mission is rooted in making professional tools and creative spaces accessible to everyone, regardless of experience level.

      Outside of this educational work, Collum is a driving force behind several original productions at Peabody TV. They directed and produced the documentary The Drag Queens, Kings & Things of Salem (in collaboration with the Hometown Queeros), a vibrant celebration of Salem’s drag and queer performance community.

      Behind the scenes, Collum manages the technical production and editing for podcasts like “Yas Talk” with Miz Diamond Wigfall and “Buster’s Beat” with Buster Pants. They also collaborated with NAGLY (North Shore Alliance of GLBTQIA+ Youth) on a series of advertisements and the launch of NAGLY’s Queer Adulting Podcast. Through every project, they bring a strong belief in the power of storytelling, inclusivity and community connection — using media as a tool to amplify voices and inspire creativity.


      Lillian Santiago
      Lillian Santiago

      Public Programming Coordinator Lillian Santiago (she/her) is an artist, administrator, educator and researcher specializing in the arts and health. She holds a Masters of Education in Arts, Community, and Education; a certification in Holistic Health and Wellness; and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Throughout her work, she places a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, actively working to make museum spaces and arts experiences more accessible and inclusive, and supporting and reflecting diverse perspectives and backgrounds.


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