The discovery of a mysterious and long-presumed lost reel of film sets in motion this comic caper from festival favorite Charles Busch (Psycho Beach Party, Frameline24; Die, Mommie, Die!, Frameline27).

Film enthusiast and small-time dealer in ephemera, Jimmy Nichols (Busch), is fabulous and broke, dodging overdue rent notices and collecting costumes from Hollywood’s golden age in his maximalist apartment in Greenwich Village. When fate drops a valuable piece of film history into his lap, a zany escapade ensues, full of colorful characters all angling to get their white-gloved hands on the cinematic treasure. Could Jimmy’s troubles be over, or is the coveted reel about to unspool Jimmy’s own final act?

A delight for fans of screwball comedies and packed with quips and references to on- and offscreen talents of Old Hollywood, The Sixth Reel—which also stars Margaret Cho and Tim Daly—leans into its quirky characters and cheerfully absurd situations. But underneath the antics is a tale of moving beyond grief, doing the right thing, and finding community amongst fellow oddballs.