The new documentary, Summer Qamp, takes a look at Camp Fyrefly, a camp in southern Alberta that is comprised entirely of people from the LGBTQ+2S community. The film aims to see how the experience helps them to come to terms with their identity and be affirmed in their journey to both discover and supplant who they are. Camp is the perfect place to do this as it caters to creating bonds that last lifetimes by navigating new friendships, and even the tension of romance. In schools where many of these queer and trans teens are bullied about who they are, Camp Fyrefly allows them to be themselves. Suddenly, they start to be kids again when they don’t have the more begrudging effects of living in a vastly cis society.
Qamp never showcases any particular style or unique approach to its filmmaking. Instead, they did it simply and it will be all the more powerful for it. The film focuses on mainly trans and non-binary kids and their experience with coming out, going to camp for the first time, and navigating who they want to be and their home lives both past and present. These stories are often the most powerful parts of the documentary, told raw and honestly with very little editing.
In these moments, we see how these kids have often gone through very emotionally trying experiences. The film doesn’t hide that a lot of these kids deal with mental health issues, but it shines a light on how they’re coming to be better and how the affirmation they get from other queer teens creates hope and some very valuable friendships. We also see what they love, their personalities, and how they approach being at camp with its healthy challenges but also the joy that comes from being together in a community you felt you were missing for a long time.
Summer Qamp is playing at TIFF ’23. For more information, click here.
