2011
INTERNATIONAL
GAY
FILM FESTIVALS
by Scott Rosenfeld
Films have the power to entertain, educate, and inspire, and at the myriad celebrations of queer cinema taking place this year around the world, the imaginative stories shown on the screen are guaranteed to enlighten, engage, and mesmerize as well. Some fledgling festivals are bringing a new visibility to their country's queer community, while others continue the long fight for change and equality, but what all 2011 festivals have in common is a dedication to LGBT filmmakers and an opportunity to see their captivating work.
AOMORI, JAPAN
AOMORI INTERNATIONAL LGBT FILM FESTIVAL
Tokyo is credited as the metropolitan center of Japan and the bustling capital in which the most diverse cultures and progressive attitudes in the nation can be found. The gay rights movement, however, has begun to spread throughout the island nation and has taken root in the city of Aomori, in the northern Tohoku region. On July 3, the Aomori International LGBT Film Festival was very consciously political, its stated mission being to encourage reflection among all festival attendees. It is the hope of the festival organizers that the diversity of gender and sexuality portrayed on the screen will humanize the LGBT community and continue to remind viewers how far Japan still needs to go in the struggle for equality for gay people. http://www.aomori-lgbtff.org
AUCKLAND/WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND
OUT TAKES 2011: A REEL QUEER FILM FESTIVAL
With openly gay, lesbian, and transgender members having served in parliament, the island nation of New Zealand maintains a generally accepting attitude toward the LGBT community. As a result, Out Takes, New Zealand's 1argest gay film festival for the past 17 years, is not a charged political statement so much as a relaxed celebration of the contributions made by the queer community to New Zealand society. This year's festival launched with opening galas in the two beautiful, waterfront cities of Auckland and Wellington, running in the two locations from May 26-June 6 and June 2-12, respectively. Keep an eye on the Out Takes website to plan ahead for next year's festival. http://www.outtakes.org.nz
AUSTIN, TEXAS
AUSTIN GAY AND LESBIAN
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
They say that everything is bigger in Texas, and in this case they're right. Now entering its 24th year, the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival is both the largest and the longest-running queer film festival in the American Southwest. Representing a state known for ten-gallon hats and steaks the size of dinner tables, you know it has to be big. Running from September 6-12, the festival showcases works of gay and lesbian documentary and narrative film, with prizes awarded for shorts and full-length features. http://www.agliff.org
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
PINK SCREENS FILM FESTIVAL
Self-described as daring and subversive, the Pink Screens Film Festival pushes the boundary each year with a frank look at sexuality and gender issues. It's no wonder that this year the nine-day festival will be celebrating its tenth anniversary in its native Belgium, which was the second nation (the Netherlands was first) to legalize same-sex marriage and decriminalize homosexuality. From November 10-19, audiences can enjoy some of the world's best in gay cinema at Brussels' Cinema Nova, and then celebrate each night at the Nova Bar. Pink Screens not only offers up a selection of films and documentaries for attendees, but also includes a series of debates, exhibitions, and events to make the festival an all-encompassing experience. http://www.pinkscreens.org
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
OUT IN AFRICA: SOUTH AFRICAN
GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL
With the nation's deeply embedded history of segregation and subjugation, it was a compelling victory for civil rights in 1994 when the South Africa Constitution was amended to include a clause prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. In celebration of that triumph, Out In Africa was launched that same year. The festival aims to bring visibility to the suppressed queer community in South Africa, as well as to combat the negative representations perpetuated by the traditional and religious communities of the region. The 2011 festival will take place in three parts. The first took place this past April; the other two are from August 12-21 and October 21-30. http://www.oia.co.za
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
MIX COPENHAGEN | LESBIANGAYBITRANS
FILM FESTIVAL
This year, the Copenhagen Gay and Lesbian Film Festival has officially rebranded itself as MIX COPENHAGEN | LesbianGayBiTrans Film Festival, a title deemed more fitting for the expansive and diverse community the festival represents. It serves not only to entertain, with a mix of parties and other exciting events for the audience to enjoy, but also to educate. Each year, area schools are invited to the festival for screenings of entries that depict teenage characters and promote an understanding of what it means to be young and gay. In recent years, festival organizers have had great success with the schools that participated, encouraging discussion that they hope will combat the bullying that queer youths often face. This year's festival will be held October 21-30. http://www.cglff.dk
LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
FESTIVAL DE CINE DIVERSIDAD SEXUAL
Celebrating its fourth year, Festival de Cine Diversidad Sexual focused on the growing trend of LGBT awareness and culture in the South American nation of Bolivia. As recently as 2001, gay pride activists faced government opposition when they put together the country's very first march in the city of Santa Cruz. Now, with the 2009 Bolivian constitution granting protection from discrimination for LGBT citizens, the gay taboo is on its way out. This year's festival took place June 29-July 6 in the city of La Paz, reminding Bolivia of the small but strong community that urges the nation toward continuing change. http://www.diegofilms.com
PARIS, FRANCE
FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DU FILM LESBIEN
For many years in Paris, the topic of lesbian culture was confined to private salon discussions à la Gertrude Stein, with little to no room made in mainstream French society for the creative contributions of its lesbian community. In 1989, a small film club decided to take action, launching what inevitably became a monument to the artistic work of French lesbians. For over 20 years the Festival International Du Film Lesbien has served as a symbol of the strength of the Parisian lesbian community, spotlighting the works of lesbian writers and directors with five days of special screenings. This year's festival will be held October 29-November 2, with the updated program of films to be listed on the website. http://www.cineffable.fr
VANCOUVER, CANADA
VANCOUVER QUEER FILM FESTIVAL
Summer is the time to celebrate Pride with Queer Vancouver, the Canadian city's month-long showcase of queer arts and culture, which begins in late July and culminates in August with an 11-day film festival of the very best in queer independent cinema. Running this year from August 11-21, the Vancouver Queer Film Festival has grown considerably in the 23 years since it was first organized, bringing LGBT films to the visible forefront of Canadian culture with a size rivaling the largest festivals of the region. Festival-goers are urged to "paint the town pink" as they enjoy a wide array of international works, speak with artists and filmmakers, and experience the creative innovation of the community around them. http://www.queerfilmfestival.ca
CANADA
WIDEOPENWIDE: COAST TO COAST 2011 TOUR
Where art exhibition, queer media, and trans-Canada road trips meet is where you'll find this celebration of LGBT film and video. A new addition to the festival circuit, the WideOpenWide: Coast to Coast 2011 Tour was conceived to expose the northern nation to the artistic visions of its queer filmmakers. The festival began in late May and continued its trek in the True North through July 9 with showings in Victoria, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Halifax, and St. Johns. In total, WideOpenWide showcases 28 short films, almost all of which are Canadian-made, with the goal of entertaining, inspiring, informing, and redefining what has become of the modern queer identity in North America. http://www.queercitycinema.ca
(Editor's Note: Some of the following
film festivals have already taken place. They are included
here so you can plan for next year!)
NORTH AMERICA
CANADA
Calgary
Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival
May 26-June 3, 2011
http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com
Kingston
Reelout Queer Film + Video Festival
January 27-February 5, 2011
http://www.reelout.com
London, Ontario
London Lesbian Film Festival
April 15-April 17, 2011
http://www.llff.ca
Montreal
Image + Nation Montreal International LGBT Film Festival
October 15, 2011-November 15, 2011
http://www.image-nation.org
Ottawa
Ottawa Gatineau LGBT Film and Video Festival
November 17-20, 2011
http://www.insideout.ca/ottawa10
Toronto
Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film and Video Festival
May 19-29, 2011
http://www.insideout.ca
Vancouver
Vancouver Queer Film Festival
August 11-21, 2011
http://www.queerfilmfestival.ca
Victoria/Edmonton/Saskatoon/Winnipeg/Halifax/St. Johns
WideOpenWide: Coast to Coast 2011 Tour
May 26-July 9
http://www.queercitycinema.ca
Waterloo
Rainbow Reels Queer Film Festival
March 2-6, 2011
http://www.rainbowreels.org/2011
Winnipeg
Reel Pride Film Festival
October TBA 2011
http://www.reelpride.org
MEXICO
Mexico City
Mix Mexico
May 12-26, 2011
http://www.festivalmix.com.mx
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
November 2011 TBA
http://www.pviglff.org
UNITED STATES
ALABAMA
Birmingham
Birmingham SHOUT Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
August 27-28, 2011
http://www.almovingimage.org/shout-home.html
ARIZONA
Phoenix
Desperado Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
January 28-30, 2011
http://www.desperadofilmfestival.com
CALIFORNIA
Fresno
Fresno Reel Pride Film Festival
September 14-18, 2011
http://www.reelpride.com
Long Beach
Long Beach Q Film Festival
September 2011
http://www.qfilmslongbeach.com
Los Angeles
Outfest: Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
July 7-17, 2011
http://www.outfest.org/fest2011
Los Angeles
Fusion: Los Angeles LGBT People of Color Film Festival
March 4-5, 2011
http://www.outfest.org/fusion2011
Palm Springs
Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
September 22-25, 2011
http://www.cinemadiverse.ning.com
Sacramento
Sacramento International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
October 13-15, 2011
http://www.siglff.org
San Diego
Filmout LGBT Film Festival
August 19-21, August 26-28
http://www.filmoutsandiego.com
San Francisco
Queer Women of Color Film Festival
June 10-12, 2011
http://www.qwocmap.org
San Francisco
San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival
June 16-26, 2011
http://www.frameline.org/festival
Santa Barbara
OUTrageous: Santa Barbara LGBTQ Film Festival
October 20-23, 2011
http://www.outrageousfilmfestival.org
COLORADO
Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak Lavender Film Festival
September 23-25, 2011
http://www.pplff.org
CONNECTICUT
Hartford
Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
May 26-June 4, 2011
http://www.outfilmct.org
DELAWARE
Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival
November 9-13, 2011
http://www.rehobothfilm.com/festival.html
FLORIDA
Miami
Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
April 21-May 1, 2011
http://www.mglff.com
Tampa
Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
October 6-16, 2011
http://www.tiglff.com
GEORGIA
Atlanta
Out on Film
September 29-October 6, 2011
http://www.outonfilm.org
Savannah
SGLFS Film Festival
October 14-16, 2011
http://www.savannahgaylesbianfilmsociety.com/festival.htm
HAWAII
Honolulu
Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival
May 12-15, 2011
http://www.hglcf.org
ILLINOIS
Chicago
Reeling: The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival
November 3-12, 2011
http://www.reelingfilmfestival.org
INDIANA
Bloomington
PRIDE: Bloomington’s LGBTQ Film Festival
January 27-30. 2011
http://www.pridefilmfestival.org
Indianapolis
Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival
November 11-13, 2011
http://www.indylgbtfilmfest.com
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston
Boston LGBT Film Festival
May 5-15, 2011
http://www.bostonlgbtfilmfest.org
Provincetown
Provincetown International Film Festival
June 15-19, 2011
http://www.ptownfilmfest.org
Minnesota
Minneapolis-St. Paul
Out Twin Cities Film Festival
June 2-5, 2011
http://www.outtwincitiesfilmfest.com
MISSOURI
Kansas City
Kansas City Gay & Lesbian Film + Video Festival
June 24-30, 2011
http://www.kcgayfilmfest.com
NEVADA
Las Vegas
CineKink
June 10-12, 2011
http://www.cinekink.com
NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque
Southwest Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
October 7-13, 2011
http://www.closetcinema.org
NEW YORK
Long Island
Long Island Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
http://www.liglff.org
New York
CineKink
March 1-6, 2011
http://www.cinekink.com
New York
Mix: New York Queer Experimental Film Festival
http://www.mixnyc.org
New York
Newfest
July 21-28, 2011
http://www.newfestival.org
New York
Queer Black Cinema
Mid-October TBA 2011
http://www.queerblackcinema.org
Rochester
ImageOut: The Rochester Lesbian & Gay Film & Video Festival
October 7-16, 2011
http://www.imageout.org
NORTH CAROLINA
Durham
North Carolina Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
August 11-14, 2011
http://www.festivals.carolinatheatre.org/ncglff
Wilmington
Pink Sheep Film Festival
June 10, 2011
http://www.pinksheepfilm.wordpress.com
OREGON
Eugene
University of Oregon Queer Film Festival
May 13-14, 2011
http://www.culture.uoregon.edu/film
Portland
Portland Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
September 30-October 8, 2011
http://www.plgff.org
Portland
Portland Queer Documentary Film Festival
June 2-5, 2011
http://www.queerdocfest.org
PENNSYLVANIA
Philadelphia
Philadelphia QFest
July 7-18, 2011
http://www.qfest.com
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
October 14-23, 2011
http://www.pilgff.org
PUERTO RICO
San Juan
Puerto Rico Queer Filmfest
Fall 2011 TBA
http://www.prqf2010.weebly.com
TENNESSEE
Memphis
Outflix Film Festival
September 9-15, 2011
http://www.outflixfestival.org
Continued
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