If you are up for some popcorn-scented queer 90s nostalgia, then youll want to check out the newly released Australian series, Videoland, now available to stream on YouTube.The six-part series follows 17-year-old Hayley (Emmanuelle Mattana), a video store employee in the late 90s, awkwardly navigating her sexual identity through the queer films she discovers on VHS. With help from her quirky and supportive best friend Tanya (Chi Nguyen), Hayley makes her way down a list of classic queer films like Personal Best, Desert Hearts, The Watermelon Woman and more, while trying to work up the courage to talk (and flirt back) with regular customer Jennifer (Tahlee Fereday). She even daydreams herself into the Doc Martens of Corky from Bound in a particularly charming mid-series moment.Mattana as Hayley nails the excitement and anxiety of discovering oneself during a period of great cultural change, where third spaces like local video stores, became a touchstone for finding queer representation. While not all her customers are being kind and rewinding, the video store is a safe space to grow into her newfound sexuality. The supporting cast is full of up and coming Australian actors who have already been making a splash on stage and screen.Videoland was filmed on location in Moe, Victoria, in one of Australias last remaining video stores, Future Flicks.Created and directed by Jessica Smith and produced by Smith and Scarlett Koehne of Pikelet Pictures, Videoland first premiered on Netflix ANZ and Canal Plus in France, and won Best Series in the Comedy Competition at Series Mania.Smith remembers all too well when it was quite difficult to find representation as a young queer person. As a lesbian who came of age in the 90s, I am all too aware of how disheartening, and ultimately damaging, it can be to not see yourself on screen, said Smith. When almost every television show and film is showing you only heterosexuality, the takeaway can be an isolating one.For Mattana, whose play Trophy Boys is currently running off-Broadway, Videoland is an opportunity to explore history of queer culture on screen, even if you didnt experience it firsthand. I may not have been alive in the 90s, but Videoland is a series about the timeless journey of finding yourself, coming of age and coming out, said Mattana. Its such a joy to work on a project that celebrates the rich history of sapphic cinema, whilst joining the canon itself, and doing it all with playful, heart-warming, pastel-hued nostalgic charm. For tender moments of friendship and blossoming love, incredible 90s references, and laugh out loud moments, check out Videoland now.The post Step back into the 90s with Videoland, a queer love letter to the video store era appeared first on News Is Out.