Out on Film 2026 - Punkie

From the venue:

Shot in striking black-and-white, this jolting documentary offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes portrait of stand-up comedian Punkie Johnson, who made history as Saturday Night Live’s first openly gay Black cast member. As she tours the country and prepares a stand-up special, Johnson battles the chaos of life on the road, mounting personal and professional pressures, and a spiraling crisis that threatens to overwhelm her.

Director Audrey Olsen’s camera remains close through the glow of the stage and the quieter moments when the performance falls away, capturing an artist determined to protect her authentic voice in an industry eager to define her. Raw, kinetic and unexpectedly tender, Punkie explores the cost of being seen—and the courage it takes to keep rising on your own terms.