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Filmmakers Talk Movie Jimpa (AUDIO)

The feature film Jimpa that premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival is screening at the MFA WQ Fall Focus event in Boston on Sunday December 7th at 2P. Jimpa starring Olivia Colman & John Lithgow is about filmmaker Hannah (Colman) & her nonbinary teen Frances (Aud Mason Hyde) who travel to Amsterdam to reconnect with their estranged father & grandfather Jimpa (Lithgow) as things unravel in unexpected ways. Frances’ desire to stay with Jimpa for a full year tests Hannah’s beliefs about parenting, identity & family. As tensions surface Jimpa weaves a tender, emotionally charged portrait of queer kinship, legacy & the fragile bonds between parents & children. Directed by Sophie Hyde Jimpa is a semi-autobiographical work from Hyde who stated, “Casting a version of yourself is not an easy task. It’s very tricky to do & so there’s a part of the story that’s incredibly sort of drawing on our real lives & then there’s a whole lot of fiction as well. Obviously there’s Jim & there’s also Aud who is my child & they’re a bit older than Frances, but there’s elements of the relationship between Hannah & Frances that definitely are in us.” Like Hyde Hannah’s a married film artist from Adelaide, the mother of a transgender, nonbinary teenager & the daughter of a father who came out gay when she was a child. I talked to Sophie Hyde & Aud Mason Hyde in this exclusive chat about their film Jimpa last summer at the Provincetown International Film Festival & their spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN  
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Stop The Insanity Finding Susan Powter

The new documentary about Susan Powter the ’90s pop culture icon who burst onto the scene with her signature bleach-blonde buzz cut & bold health message will be released on all major VOD platforms December 9th. After conquering infomercials, becoming a New York Times bestselling author, hosting her own talk show & seeing her face on thousands of products Powter dramatically walked away from Hollywood & into obscurity. Crippling lawsuits with her business partners left her bankrupt & she lived as a total recluse below the poverty line in Las Vegas where filmmaker Zeberiah Newman ultimately found her. “Stop The Insanity: Finding Susan Powter Will” explores Powter's rise & fall while asking what it will take to bring her back to audiences & whether her message “Stop The Insanity” is still as relevant & powerful today as it was in the early ’90s. Director Zeberiah Newman stated, “Telling Susan’s story has been the most challenging & rewarding experience of my career. It forced me to cut through years of tabloid mythology & see her as she truly is: a survivor, a truth-teller & a woman whose voice still matters in a culture that so often erases those who refuse to conform. This film is not a biopic—it is a meditation on resilience, fame & the fight to hold onto your power when the world tries to take it away.” The film features Executive Producer Jamie Lee Curtis, Ross Mathews & Powter. What emerges from “Stop The Insanity: Finding Susan Powter Will” is not just a portrait of Powter’s strength but a searing reflection of the urgent crises reshaping our country today. WATCH TRAILER   
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LeAnn Rimes To Headline Sports Festival

The Sin City Classic Sports Festival announced that Grammy-winning music star LeAnn Rimes will perform at the inaugural Sin City Classic Concert to close out the sports festival. Rimes' performance will take place on Sunday January 18th at the Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas, NV. Dr. Jason Peplinski, Sin City Classic Co-Executive Director stated, “For decades, LeAnn Rimes has been a vocal supporter of & advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Now, more than ever, we need the voices of our allies to come forward, be loud & remain steadfast as so many of the community’s rights are being stripped away. We can’t wait for LeAnn Rimes to bring down the house for thousands of athletes, allies & fans at this year’s Concert.” Throughout her award-winning career Rimes has been passionate about using her voice to change the world. She was honored with the Ally of Equality Award by HRC for her over 20 years of support of LGBTQ rights, the 2019 HOPE Award for Depression Advocacy & the 2009 ACM Humanitarian Award among other recognitions. The 2026 Sin City Classic Sports Festival hosted annually by the Greater Los Angeles Softball Association (GLASA) takes place January 15th to 19th in Las Vegas with the Concert & Closing Party on January 18th. Since 2008 the Sin City Classic Sports Festival has provided a safe & competitive atmosphere for LGBTQ athletes. Over the past 17 years the tournament has grown to include 24 sports & approximately 10,000 athletes & fans. GLASA remains committed to creating the best experience possible for a diverse roster of dedicated athletes who participate & the fans & allies who come to enjoy the festival. 
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Gold Dust Orphans Sweeney Claus Event

Ryan Landry & the Gold Dust Orphans present “Sweeney Claus” as this year’s camp holiday theatrical extravaganza now through December 21st at The Iron Wolf Theatre in Boston, MA. The hysterical plot thickens as Dasher one of Santa’s original 9 reindeers comes home from work one night only to find his beloved wife & daughter gone. In fear that his dear, deer family has been kidnapped by “furrier elves” he sets out across the frozen tundra known as “The North Pole” in a desperate search for his loved ones. Lost in the snow, dazed & confused he is soon captured by elfin guards & thrown into an insane asylum where the “screws” immediately have his antlers removed. Now unable to fly & hearing that his family may still be alive somewhere in merry old New England he quickly boards a ship bound for the small seaside town. Once there & bent on revenge he disguises himself as a barber in order to carry out his deadly plan. The cast includes Sweeney (Thain Bertin), his beloved wife Johanna (Mary Mahoney), Santa Claus (Tim Lawton), Mrs. Leaveit (Ryan Landry) & T Perry as the earnest young sailor Semen. It's also been announced that the fabulous Gold Dust Orphan honorary Parker Posey will be joining the cast for their December 20th show at 7:30P. “Sweeney Claus” written by Ryan Landry & directed by Kiki Samko who also appears as the Beggar Woman is not for children since its more naughty than nice. Founded in 1995 The Gold Dust Orphans are an award-winning Vaudeville-inspired theatrical troupe delighting audiences in Boston, Provincetown & NYC with their comedic melodrama, fantasy & political satire. 
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World AIDS Day Observances Globally

Since 1988 World AIDS Day has been observed on December 1st & this year’s theme is "Overcoming Disruption, Transforming The AIDS Response". This emphasizes the challenges facing the HIV response due to disruptions & calls for renewed commitment through resilience, innovation & human-rights-centered approaches to end the epidemic by 2030. According to the World Health Organization more than one million people acquired HIV in 2024 alone. The Save HIV Funding Campaign has released a newly updated Action Alert announcing a coordinated national week of action with partner organizations to call on Congress to reject proposed federal cuts that would jeopardize vital HIV prevention, care & treatment programs. There will be events taking place nationally & globally. The National AIDS Memorial’s World AIDS Day Observance at the National AIDS Memorial Grove takes place on Monday December 1st from 11:30A to 1:30P PST. The Golden Gate Park event in San Francisco, CA is to remember those lost to HIV/AIDS & educate younger generations about the leadership & activism associated with this disease. This annual conversation strives toward an HIV/AIDS-free future where communities are never again harmed by fear, silence, discrimination or stigma. This year the National AIDS Memorial will host a special panel exploring the power of artistic response during the AIDS crisis & its continuing role in movements for social justice today. The panel will reflect on the legacy of artistic activism & consider how creative practice continues to build empathy, fight stigma & elevate community resilience. A few years ago I talked to Cleve Jones in this exclusive audio byte about how AIDS has affected our LGBTQ community. LISTEN 
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Songs Of The Season Holiday Event

A quintessentially San Francisco tradition Songs of the Season is celebrating 33 years of cabaret brimming with world-class performances, cheer & heart December 9th & 10th at Feinstein’s at the Nikko. Produced by Brian Kent & featuring the event’s founder & beloved hostess Donna Sachet, Songs of the Season shines as both a celebration of the holidays & a benefit for PRC supporting life-changing services in behavioral health, housing & workforce development for San Franciscans in need. Step into the warmth of Feinstein’s at the Nikko for an unforgettable evening of festive music, laughter & community spirit. This quintessentially San Francisco tradition brings together an extraordinary lineup of local legends & international stars for a dazzling showcase of talent & heart. Joining Brian Kent & hostess Donna Sachet will include Brian Justin Crum, Charles Jones, Leanne Borghesi, Kenny Nelson, Sister Roma, Meghan Murphy, Kippy Marks, Dr. Dee, Roberta Drake & more. Guests will be treated to soulful renditions of holiday classics, clever skits & surprise performances that capture the joy & magic of the season. From heart-tugging ballads to show-stopping numbers every moment is infused with the spirit of giving & togetherness that defines PRC’s mission. Sip your favorite cocktail, settle into the intimate cabaret setting & experience an evening that’s equal parts heartwarming & hilarious. A true celebration of artistry, resilience & the community that makes the holidays shine brighter in San Francisco. Tickets range from $50 up & all proceeds support PRC's lifesaving, integrated social, legal & behavioral health services to help the City's most vulnerable populations. 
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“Between Goodbyes” PBS Film (AUDIO)

This week I talked to filmmaker Jota Mun about “Between Goodbyes” the first-time director’s feature that POV will debut on PBS at 10P Monday December 8th. The film follows a Korean adoptee reconnecting with her original mother in Seoul as she unravels decades of silence, stigma, confronting long-held regrets all while facing cultural misunderstandings with tenderness, humor & resilience. “Between Goodbyes” is an open love letter to all original mothers who have suffered from family separation providing a deeper understanding about how the adoption industry affects families globally. As a Korean adoptee Mun’s lived experience brings personal insight & uncommon intimacy to a story that reframes conventional narratives about adoption & kinship. Jota filmed “Between Goodbyes” during the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic through 2021. Archival photos & footage trace the family’s milestones including a reunion in the Netherlands in 2002, time together in South Korea in 2016 & another visit in 2021. Through candid conversations with siblings & extended family “Between Goodbyes” reveals how secrecy & migration intersect inviting audiences into a story that is as complicated as it is loving. Featured in the film are participants Okgyun Kang, Mieke Murkes & Ruth Chon. “Between Goodbyes” made its world premiere at the 2024 DMZ International Film Festival winning the Emerging Filmmaker Award for Jota. The film also won the Special Jury Award for Feature Documentary at the 2024 Santa Fe International Film Festival & was an Official Selection of 2024 DOC NYC. I talked to Jota about the inspiration for “Between Goodbyes” & Mun’s spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN  
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Filmmakers Talk Movie Jimpa (AUDIO)

The feature film Jimpa that premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival is screening at the MFA WQ Fall Focus event in Boston on Sunday Dec...

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