 Although the film has no direct mention of homosexuality, some band members were openly gay and the directors also identify as lesbians, so the film has been included in some LGBT film festivals.Additionally, Jezebel Productions released another short documentary in 1988 featuring Sweethearts member Tiny Davis and her female partner of over 40 years; that film and "International Sweethearts of Rhythm" were often shown together at LGBT film festivals starting in 1988.The Sweethearts documentary has also been shown at some colleges and universities, frequently as part of classes or workshops on film, jazz history, or gender studies.