About Me

Connecticut LGBTQ Film Fest Winners

Out Film CT, Connecticut’s LGBTQ Film Festival announced the winners of the prestigious Audience Award & Jury Award for the 37th installment of this festival featuring the work of LGBTQ filmmakers & storytellers from around the globe. Shane Engstrom Out Film CT Festival Director stated, “Our audience enthusiastically embraced the return of the festival to June & they appreciated the opportunity to watch the best of LGBTQ+ cinema from all over the world. Based on the extremely high Audience Award scores, it’s clear that our audience embraced these international stories, awarding their top three picks to films from Spain, Austria & Belgium." Winner of the Audience Award for Best Feature went to “Love & Revolution” (Spain) a sassy comedy about a young man who comes out with the help of a group of revolutionaries & the transformation of his very traditional mother into a surprisingly active crusader for LGBTQ rights in 1977 Spain. The Winner of the Jury Award for Best Feature went to “Listen Up!” (Norway) about a goofy, awkward, yet ultimately loveable 13-year-old Pakistani immigrant living in Norway who uses his wickedly offbeat sense of humor to decode integration, gender identity, class & family dynamics. For the first time the Out Film CT Jury has awarded a Best Ensemble Award to the cast and crew of the short film The Fuscos. Engstrom concluded, “The Jury was very impressed by the cohesive performances in the film & it was clear from the cast & crew’s presence at the festival that their close relationships went far beyond their roles. Their film & their presence brought joy, smiles & laugher.” This year’s Out Film CT included 70+ features, documentaries & short films across in-person & virtual screenings. 
No comments:

New Transgender Refuge Map Project

In order to combat the violence & dehumanization of our transgender community the Queer Equity Institute (QEI) has announced a new project aimed to quantify the safety of the trans community in individual states & to give the community the tools & education they need to fight back against attacks. Leigh Finke, Executive Director of the Queer Equity Institute & the first out trans elected member of the Minnesota State Legislature stated, “This is a dangerous time for trans people across America. There is a well-funded, nationally coordinated movement to dehumanize trans people across America. The result of this effort allows for acts of violence & the denial of our basic human rights. This hateful movement has created an environment where anti-transgender politicians have been allowed to pass hateful legislation. Often, acts of violence & even murder go unpunished if our community does not bear the burden of immediately & forcibly bring public attention to those cases. The Trans Refuge Project is an effort for everyone concerned with the safety & humanity of the trans community to fill the protection gap that is being created by the failure of politicians & others to fight against these acts of hate.” The Trans Refuge Project is beginning its work in the Midwest specifically in Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio & Wisconsin. In those states the Trans Refuge Project is using collected data as well as outreach to allies to build awareness & identify opportunities to create safe spaces for the trans community. QEI is also doing outreach in other states to draw attention to the gaps in safety & access that members of the trans community face & point them to resources that can help. 
No comments:

Help Is On The Way 30th Concert & Gala

The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation is presenting its 30th Anniversary "Help is on the Way" Concert & Gala on Sunday July 14th at the Marines' Memorial Theater & Beacon Grand Hotel in San Francisco. "Help Is On The Way" is one of San Francisco’s longest-running benefit concerts featuring a bevy of stars from Broadway, TV, film & the recording industry. The concert will feature cast members from the Broadway touring cast of "Mrs. Doubtfire" including its star Rob McClure & while you won't hear the music from the " Mrs. Doubtfire " touring show you can expect to hear some other fabulous songs as cast members join guest performers from Broadway, TV & Film. Additional entertainers will include Grammy Award-winner Debby Boon, Jason Brock from X-Factor, Broadway “Wicked” star David Burnham, Broadway star Sam Harris (The Life) & Star Search winner, Tony Award Winner Faith Prince, Broadway star of “Phantom of the Opera” Lisa Vroman, Broadway star Jennifer Leigh Warren, Jazz Star Paula West & Broadway star/comedian Bruce Vilanch with Musical Director Michael Orland. "Help is on the Way" 30th will also honor Bruce Vilanch with REAF's Lifetime Achievement Award & this event will be  dedicated to the memory of long-time REAF supporter Jon Leitner. Kenneth Henderson, Executive Director of the Richmond/Ermet AID Foundation stated, “People think the AIDS epidemic is over & we don't need to pay attention to it anymore. Events like "Help is on the Way" serve not only to raise funds for local AIDS services but to remind people that there's still a need for funding them. More people are living with HIV & AIDS than ever before in history.” The 30th Gala event consists of a Broadway-style performance & a nightclub-themed after party with the cast. The event benefits Project Open Hand & REAF’s Small Emergency Grants Program. 
No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Featured Post

Connecticut LGBTQ Film Fest Winners

Out Film CT, Connecticut’s LGBTQ Film Festival announced the winners of the prestigious Audience Award & Jury Award for the 37th install...

Popular Posts