Renowned Gay Short Film Dare Is Planning A Sequel, But It Needs Your Help (& Watch The Original)

While a couple of gay-themed short films have been expanded into a feature-length version, most of them have remained on the independent/arty end of the spectrum. However, one 2005 LGBT short, Dare, became a more mainstream feature film in 2009 starring Emmy Rossum (Shameless US) and Zach Gilford (Friday Night Lights). Not bad for a short that started life as a Columbia University film project.

Now filmmakers Adam Salky (I Smile Back, Dare) and David Brind (Dare, Sandra Bernhard: Everything Bad & Beautiful) are launching a Kickstarter campaign for the sequel to the Dare short. The original film entered the LGBTQ cultural zeitgeist by playing over 50 film festivals, including Outfest, Frameline, and the BFI’s London LGBT Film Festival (now BFI Flare). It was when Adam Salky uploaded it to YouTube that the film amassed over 12 million views and a massive fanbase, becoming one of the most viewed gay short films on YouTube.

Inspired by the response from fans, and their strong desire to continue the Dare journey, the new short film will explore Ben and Johnny’s relationship twelve years later as they meet for the first time since high school. Michael Cassidy (People of Earth, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Argo) and Adam Fleming (Wicked on Broadway, Smash, Hairspray on Broadway) are reprising their roles.

Dare was written as an expression of David Brind’s experience as a gay teen – and the, ‘endless desire we have all experienced in wanting someone or something we cannot have…or so we think. Until we take that dare of going after what we want, boldly and bravely, we may never know what is possible for us. Ben went on that trip before, but what’s going to happen now that both boys are in their 30s?’

You can take a look at the original, classic short film below, along with a new fundraising video. And if you want to know what will happen between Ben and Johnny 12 years on, head over to Kickstarter.