Starring Ellen Page and Julianne Moore, Freeheld tells the true story of New Jersey police lieutenant Laurel Hester and her partner, Stacie Andree, and their battle to secure Hester's pension benefits when she is diagnosed with terminal cancer. It’s based on Cynthia Wade’s award-winning short documentary “Freeheld,” and is directed by Peter Sollet of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, from a screenplay by Ron Nyswaner of Philadelphia. The film co-stars Steve Carell and Michael Shannon. Ellen Page, who came out just last year, has told EW she was instantly brought to tears just watching the trailer for the documentary. “Tremendous love stories between women have been made, of course. Some of them are my favourite movies. But to have a love story that brings up the civil rights issue, in relation to women—that we haven’t seen enough in the forefront,” she’s said. “To be shooting the movie so soon after coming out was some of the most joy I’ve ever felt on a film set, which is a tricky thing to say because we’re telling a story that’s incredibly tragic. But the feeling of being out and playing someone who’s gay, and someone whose courage has allowed me to live my life, that feels amazing. People like Laurel and Stacie are the reason I feel so happy in my life now.” Freeheld will be released in the US in October. No New Zealand release date has been announced just yet. GayNZ.com staff - 24th July 2015