Bertil Nilsson’s 'Masc' Makes TIFF History With Queer, Autistic Lead

The world premiere of Bertil Nilsson’s first feature film, *Masc*, unfolded last night in the Next Wave Selects program at the Toronto International Film Festival. The 90‑minute drama follows Robin, a queer, biracial man on the autism spectrum who spends a year learning how to exist as himself.

Nilsson co‑wrote and directed the film with Joshua Griffin, who also plays Robin. The two collaborators aim to explore intersectionality and self‑love through a narrative that defies common stereotypes about both autistic and queer characters.

“It’s worth saying that most of the time autistic characters are portrayed as a stereotype, not a real person,” Nilsson told reporters. “Every autistic person is different and so is Robin.

He’s not intended as a representation of autism.” He added that the film hopes to enrich queer representation in cinema while adding an autistic perspective.

## What Happened

During a recent screening, a clip from *Masc* captured a tense moment between Robin and his friend Sky (Reece King). In the scene, Robin asks Sky where he can obtain drugs, specifically crack cocaine.

Sky responds with concern, steering Robin toward something “more his speed.” The exchange underscores the film’s raw look at substance use within marginalized communities.

The premiere session was attended by industry professionals and festival patrons who were drawn to the film’s candid portrayal of a queer, biracial autistic protagonist grappling with identity over a year. The audience reaction was largely positive, with viewers praising the nuanced performance of Griffin and Nilsson’s direction.

## Background & Context

*Masc* marks Nilsson’s transition from short‑form projects to a feature‑length narrative. By co‑writing with Griffin, the team crafted a story that intertwines themes of intersectionality—addressing race, sexuality, and neurodiversity—into a cohesive arc of self‑acceptance.

The film’s focus on a queer, biracial man on the autism spectrum is rare in mainstream cinema, and Nilsson has expressed that he intentionally avoids portraying Robin as a one‑dimensional representation.

The decision to center the story around a year of personal growth reflects an intention to depict the slow, often invisible process of learning to live authentically.

Nilsson and Griffin’s collaboration highlights a shared commitment to bringing marginalized voices to the forefront, hoping that *Masc* can contribute meaningfully to both queer and autistic narratives in film.

The premiere’s timing—coinciding with TIFF’s broader push for diverse storytelling—positions *Masc* as part of a growing movement that seeks to broaden representation on the silver screen.

While the film’s release date has not yet been announced, festival buzz suggests it may be added to the festival’s post‑event lineup and subsequently screened at other international venues.

The debut of *Masc* underscores a broader shift in cinema toward stories that honor individuality within intersecting identities, offering audiences a chance to see a queer, biracial autistic character portrayed with depth and humanity.