2 LGBTQ filmfests to watch out for in Massachusetts, Atlanta
If you’re lucky enough to be in the area, there are a couple of LGBTQ filmfests that you might want to check out in the coming weeks.
First up is Out! For Reel, which will show LGBTQ films with the theme of “Celebrating Our Community, Our Love, Our Strength” at the Academy of Music in Northampton, Massachusetts this Friday, September 21.
Second is Atlanta’s Out On Film festival, which is set to run this September 27 to October 7 at Landmark’s Midtown Art Cinema, Out Front Theatre Company and the Plaza Theatre.
LGBTQ filmfests: Out! For Reel
Set for this Saturday, Massachusetts will have the LGBTQ filmfest, Out! For Reel, which will present the first Massachusetts screening of the award-winning film “Snapshots.”
The film stars Oscar nominee Piper Laurie, Brooke Adams, and Emily Baldoni, and is directed by Melanie Maynor.
There’s also an opening live program with the Northampton Community Music Center Choral Director and Grammy-nominated singer Evelyn Harris.
Jaime Michaels, Executive Director for Out! For Reel Films Premiere, said: “We present unique programming, its not just about the film.”
“Its about bringing the community together for more than once at pride. Its to build bridges with the greater community at large,” Michaels added.
If you’re in the area, you can get information and tickets at: www.outforreel.net
LGBTQ filmfests: Out On Film
Meanwhile, Atlanta has Out On Film 31, which is their 31st annual LGBT film festival. During the event, there will be 128 films, documentaries, short films, and web series– and even a staged reading of a classic play.
Festival director Jim Farmer said in a news release: “We aim to grow every year and this is our biggest festival to date in terms of the number of films we are showing and the most diverse slate we’ve ever presented.”
The filmfest will have as their opening night film the Atlanta-set “When the Beat Drops.” This movie follows a pioneering crew of gay African-American men who created the underground dance scene known as “bucking.”
For closing night, the festival will have Ondi Timoner’s “Mapplethorpe,” which focuses on the legendary photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and stars Emmy nominee Matt Smith of “The Crown.”
Other film highlights include Rupert Everett’s “The Happy Prince,” on the last days in the life of Oscar Wilde. It also stars Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson, and Emily Watson.
Proceeds from the event will go to the Matthew Shepard Foundation, to mark the 20th anniversary of the murder of Matthew Shepard.
For more information or to purchase tickets, check out: www.outonfilm.org.