Dan Savage’s HUMP! Film Festival Is Touring for Its 20th Smutty Season
Fresh short-form sexiness for your public viewing pleasure!
Calling all fans of smart smut and sex-positive storytelling—Dan Savage’s legendary HUMP! Film Festival is back and bolder than ever, celebrating its 20th year of showcasing boundary-pushing, independently produced erotic short films. And yes, the anniversary tour is so packed with creative brilliance that it’s been split into two parts!
I recently had the pleasure of attending the Baltimore stop on the Part One tour at the always-fabulous Creative Alliance, and let me tell you—this was no ordinary night at the movies. For just $25 (less if you snag an early bird ticket), I got to watch 23 short adult films, each five minutes or less, and each wildly different in tone, theme, and kink. Like a decadent tasting menu for the senses, HUMP! delivers a buffet of boldness, humor, sensuality, and yes—plenty of WTF.
Like a Box of Chocolates—But Hornier
To borrow a metaphor from Forrest Gump (with apologies), HUMP! really is like a box of chocolates. Some films are light and whimsical—melty little sweet treats. Take Orcagasm, a bizarre yet delightful stop-motion animation about furries and whales, or Jell-O Fantasy, which is exactly what it sounds like: bodies, gelatin, and a whole lot of slippery fun.
Then there are the films that ask you to chew a little longer. A Tickle features two non-binary folks delightfully topping a trans woman in a way that’s tender and electric. You Should Say F** Too* (title cleaned up, but the message stands!) dives deep into themes of consent and how empowering—and sexy—clarity can be.
And then you’ve got the dark, decadent truffles: rich, complex, and sticking with you long after the credits roll. Dice and Desire plays with sapphic storytelling and fantasy gaming tropes, while Ecotopia and Dominant Nature explore ecosexuality in ways that are thought-provoking and beautifully shot. And yes, The Polar Bear’s Foreskin is every bit as strange and oddly compelling as the title implies—like finding a plastic toy in your chocolate box, but somehow loving it anyway.
The Joy of Shared Smut
What really elevates HUMP! is the group experience. Watching these films in a packed room of strangers who are just as curious and kink-positive as you? Unbeatable. Whether people are gasping, giggling, or blushing, there’s a powerful sense of community in sharing art that celebrates sex, queerness, kink, and creativity without shame. It’s fun, it’s freeing, and honestly, it’s kind of magical.
As someone who’s non-binary, pansexual, polyamorous, and a proud switch, I love that HUMP! offers something for everyone. No matter your gender, orientation, or level of experience with adult content, there’s likely a film that’ll speak to you—or surprise you in the best way.
Anyone Can Submit—And You Should!
One of the coolest things about HUMP! is that it’s truly open to anyone. You don’t need to be a professional filmmaker or performer to submit your work. The only rules? No poop, no animals. Other than that, it’s a wild, inclusive free-for-all of human sexuality in all its messy, joyful, creative glory.
Catch the Tour—or Stream It Later
HUMP! Part One is touring through June 19, with special Pride Month screenings across select cities. Can’t catch it in person? Don’t worry—streaming options for Part One will be announced soon. And Part Two hits the road this fall with another delicious batch of short-form smut. Plus, past years’ films are available on HUMP!’s website in a growing on-demand library.
If you’re into sex-positive storytelling, indie cinema, or just want a fun and unexpected night out—put HUMP! on your must-see list.