Pride Week parties may be over, but Out on Screen's Vancouver Queer Film Festival (August 16 to 26) can provide a fitting tonic with which to recharge yourself. As it did last year, the festival draws from both local and international filmmakers to present a rich variety of material from countries such as Argentina, Italy, Romania, and South Korea. Here's a sampling of the selections.

THE BUBBLE (HA BUAH) (Israel) Israeli Noam, on reserve duty, meets Palestinian Ashraf when a pregnant Palestinian woman goes into labour at a West Bank checkpoint. Later, Ashraf tracks down Noam, and their attraction sparks a passionate relationship that divides Noam's roommates, the feisty Lulu and the jaded Yali. The harsh realities of life during the Middle East conflict contrast with the pervasive warmth of the ensemble cast in this well-wrought tale. Noam and Ashraf's love faces many tests, and the stakes never stop escalating. Granville 7, August 16 (7 p.m.), and Pacific Cinémathèque, August 18 (5 p.m.)

THE CHINESE BOTANIST'S DAUGHTERS (Canada/France) Chinese-Russian orphan Min seeks to learn the secrets of the plant world from the strict botanist Chen, but she soon falls for his dutiful daughter An. Their intimate relationship flourishes, but the return of An's soldier brother threatens their private utopia. While the story doesn't stray far from the path well trodden by other tales of forbidden love, the exquisitely gentle pacing, picturesque cinematography, and observant detail carry the film (originally titled Les Filles du Botaniste) through to its affecting conclusion. Cinemark Tinseltown, August 23 (7 p.m.)

THE END OF SECOND CLASS (Canada) This comprehensive chronicle from doc maker Nancy Nicol of the attempt to legalize gay marriage in Canada follows the journey through personal, legal, and political battles that raged across Canada. From the first few same-sex couples who faced opposition from within the queer community (including Vancouverites Jane Hamilton and Joy Masuhara) to American-funded campaigns and debates in Parliament and the Supreme Court of Canada, the film encapsulates an important chapter in the history of not only the LGBT community but Canadian society. This should be required viewing for anyone willing to take the right to marry for granted. Vancity Theatre, August 22 (9:45 p.m.)

FOLLOW MY VOICE: WITH THE MUSIC OF HEDWIG (USA) This documents a project to get stars to record their own versions of the songs from the Hedwig and the Angry Inch soundtrack for the benefit album Wig in a Box, meant to raise funds for the Harvey Milk School for LGBT youth. Appearances by Sleater-Kinney, Ben Folds, and Yoko Ono are interwoven with stories of students who attend the school because of harassment from peers or even family. While fans of Hedwig and the musicians will enjoy this film, the material runs a little thin at times. Cinemark Tinseltown, August 24 (7 p.m.)

SUPER AMIGOS (Canada/Mexico) This absorbing documentary also employs some comic-book-style animation to tell the story of several Mexican activists who assume superhero personas, in the tradition of lucha libre wrestlers, to fight for social causes. Super Barrio helps residents fight evictions, Super Animal fights to save bulls from being tortured in bullfights, Super Ecologista combats environmental pollution, Super Gay battles homophobia, and Fray Tormenta stands up for the poor. It becomes clear these super amigos cannot surmount all the obstacles they face, but their resilience, accomplishments, and effort remain inspirational. Cinemark Tinseltown, August 17 (5 p.m.), and Vancity Theatre, August 23 (9:45 p.m.)

VIVERE (Germany) On Christmas Eve, two German-Italian sisters leave home. The younger Antonietta runs to Rotterdam with her rocker boyfriend, and tomboyish taxi driver Francesca chases Antonietta on her widowed father's behalf. Francesca stumbles upon a mysterious, melancholic, and silent older woman named Gerlinde, who is trapped in an unhappy relationship with a closeted married woman with children. In a smart but not overly cerebral structure, the same story is told three times, from each character's perspective. Intriguingly, secrets are progressively revealed to connect the dots as each of the three women comes to terms with how to live her life in this fest-closing film from Angelina Maccarone. Granville 7, August 26 (7 p.m.)

WILD TIGERS I HAVE KNOWN (USA) Thirteen-year-old Logan is not struggling to accept his sexuality so much as he is struggling to figure out how to get others to accept him. Awkward and alienated, he forms a tentative friendship with an older, sexually ambiguous loner named Rodeo. When Logan makes phone calls to Rodeo pretending to be a girl named Leah, Rodeo is hooked by the seductive caller. Some of the film's art-school leanings veer toward the self-conscious, but it's a compelling debut feature from director Cam Archer that recalls the work of Gus Van Sant. Yes, it's another coming-out story, but the director's sensitive touch will resonate with anyone who has endured disorienting years of high school in the closet. Cinemark Tinseltown, August 19 (9:45 p.m.)

For full listings and ticket information, visit www.outonscreen.com/ .