Frameline49, the latest iteration of the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, has much to explore with its diverse slate of nearly 150 films. The world’s oldest, longest running LGBTQ+ film fest runs through June 28 in San Francisco and Oakland.

This year, it arrives at a hard time, in the shadows of blows to LGBTQ+ rights from a combative, non-queer-or-trans-friendly U.S. administration. The rash of recent actions against the LGBTQ community, especially trans rights, hang over the fest and Pride Month activities in general.

Yet there’s an undeniable power and a sense of unity and strength to be gained from watching queer stories told by queer filmmakers in a safe haven where what’s seen can engage, thrill, educate, inspire and sometimes just make you laugh.

“I want to emphasize how deeply I value the extraordinary work of our filmmakers this year — their vision and courage are truly remarkable,” said Frameline’s Executive Director Allegra Madsen. “All of us are weathering challenges that threaten our identities, our histories, and our everyday lives. Like many of you, I’m exhausted and angry. With Frameline49, I want us to examine our past of LGBTQ+ activism and art and I want to honor the powerful stories of this moment, to remind us all that Frameline is both a celebration and a statement. We’ll still engage in difficult conversations and recognize the realities reflected in our films, but we’ll also create spaces where we can untense our shoulders and laugh together, without having to defend our existence.”

The festival features excellent of-the-moment features that tap into relevant issues, including Sam Feder’s “Heightened Security” (9 p.m. Friday, Toni Rembe Theater, San Francisco), an excellent fly-on-the-wall documentary that observes ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio preparing for his historic appearance in front of the Supreme Court for a landmark trans case.

Here are several films we recommend seeing.

“She’s the He”: Siobhan McCarthy’s raucous debut gives us the trans teen comedy we’ve all been carving, a ribald renovation of moldy, offensive tropes that is full of queer joy. In it, best friends Alex (Nico Carney) and Ethan (Misha Osherovich) impersonate trans women so Alex can be next to his crush Sasha (Malia Pyles). Nothing goes as planned, including when Ethan discovers that playing the part of a trans woman leads to an epiphany and a new lease on life. “She’s the He” is hilarious and raunchy and contains so much energy it all but bursts out from the screen. It’s utterly irresistible.

Screening: 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Roxie, San Francisco

“Diciannove”: In this unique, immersive drama that reveals its ultimate hand in the final moments, the interior world of a socially awkward 19-year-old bisexual Italian student (Manfredi Marini, in an auspicious debut) comes into near focus as he navigates life in Siena. It is there he lives in a haze, sometimes avoiding human interaction, sometimes seeking it out. Director Giovanni Tortorici creates strong visuals for a rather opaque plot that slaps you in the face at the end.

Screening: 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Roxie.

“#300 Letters”: An online hookup evolves into a fiery romantic partnership for two very dissimilar Argentine men — gym bunny Jero (Cristian Mariani) and ambitious performance artist Tom (Gastón Frías). When Tom dumps Jero, he leaves his jilted lover a box of letters that divulge some intimate thoughts and more. Lucas Santa Ana’s dramedy has a few surprises up its sleeve with flashbacks to some OMG moments. The cast is great and a plot turn adds dimension.

Screening: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Vogue Theatre, San Francisco.

“Lesbian Space Princess”: Princess Saira (voice of Shabana Azeez) is an outer space doormat to all, including her narcissistic parents and a self-absorbed ex who uses her for selfish purposes. Saira gains light years of confidence when she tries to save that ex from a batch of Straight White Maliens (hilarious) holding her hostage. This award winner (it won the Teddy at the Berlin Film Festival) is non-stop rowdy fun and fires off one hilarious line after another. I couldn’t stop laughing while watching Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese’s directorial debut, a comedy that begs to be watched over and over again, and with a crowd.

Screening: 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Roxie.

“Twinless”: Director/star James Sweeney delivers on the edgy promise of his standout 2019 debut “Straight Up” with a snappy, cringey dramedy in which a gay man (Sweeney) poses as grieving twin so he can get close to another guy (Dylan O’Brien) who is struggling with the loss of his twin brother. “Twinless” dares to go places few films venture and dredges up prickly questions that have no clear answers. It’s shocking and quite sexy, too.

Screening: 8:30 p.m. June 28, Herbst Theater, San Francisco; closing night film.

“Lucky, Apartment”: There’s little wonder why the nine-year relationship of Seonwoo and Heeseo is feeling the heat. Seonwoo just lost her job due to an injury while Heeseo can’t catch a break at her demanding job and nosy relatives who want to set her up with guys. Heeseo remains closeted both on the job and with her family. Meanwhile, the restless Seonwoo smells a vile stench from the apartment below where a lonely woman lives, and investigates. Director Kangyu Garam’s powerful debut finds two South Korean women battling outside forces that threaten their happiness and their relationship. It’s not a total downer but it’s not an upper either. But it does seem like the work of a veteran filmmaker.

Screening: 1 p.m. June 26, Roxie.

Contact Randy Myers at soitsrandy@gmail.com.