Rock Out Sheffield DocFest

In electric, personal, and historical ways, this riveting documentary explores whether there is, or ever was, a home for Queer in the hyper-masculine, black painted worlds of heavy metal, punk and rock & roll.

Rock Out, Dustin Lance Black

Rock Out shines a light on a new perspective of the otherwise “heterosexual male” field of rock music. Covering iconic queer stars from Little Richard to Elton John to The Dead Milkmen, the documentary shows the progression of how the LGBT+ community was viewed throughout the musical ages. Moving from extreme homophobia to the appropriation of queer culture, this unique documentary highlights how the freedom achieved in the arts can achieve new heights of political liberation as well as liberation in your own identity, particularly in expressing one’s sexuality. 

★ ★ ★ ★

Release Date: June 21st 2025
Director(s) Dustin Lance Black
Producer Bill Gerber, Michael Rapino, Ryan Kroft, Vaughn Trudeau
Starring Dustin Lance Black, Dolly Parton, Danny Fields, Jayne County, Peter Brown.

Cinematography Tim Cragg
Runtime: 116 minutes.