LQBTQI2S+ FILM FEST TO SHOW ‘BRIGHT SIDES’ OF QUEER LIFE
BRACEBRIDGE — A film fest to “show the public all the bright sides of queer life and to inspire and support the local LQBTQI2S+ community with positive role models,” will screen 13 movies here March 21.
According to its directors call for entries, they were “looking for the queer film stories that will carry an uplifting attitude and show the examples of overcoming the challenges of existing in the cis-gendered heterosexual (cis-hetero), world, or would demonstrate the beauty and spirit of lesbian, gay, bi or trans life, culture, and relationships.”
The first “official” Muskoka Queer Film Festival runs from 3-9 p.m. at the Rene M. Caisse Theatre in Bracebridge, one of the co-presenters.
It features six by Canadian directors and seven by American, Swiss and French contributors.
The jury, represented by its presenters Muskoka Pride, the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce and Sanctuary Studios Inc., chose films from dozens of excellent submissions, says a news release this week.
“This is an exciting and ambitious project for our community, and we’re thrilled to be holding it right in the heart of Muskoka,” says Muskoka Pride president Mervin Taylor-Morin. “It was hard to choose from all the great films submitted for selection to our festival, however we believe we’ve created a diverse lineup of short and feature films that will resonate with the people who turn out to see them.”
Muskoka Queer Film Festival will also honour directors with two awards: The Festival Favourite will be selected by the MQFF jury; the Audience Choice award will be voted on by theatregoers.
Michelle Emson and Olena Semenova, of Sanctuary Studios, a multi-media production company based in Muskoka and who are also international human rights activists were integral to the film curation process and event organization, says the release.
“Celebrating the diversity in Muskoka is very important for the cultural and societal development of the region. We are grateful to Muskoka Pride for creating such an incredible event that will inspire and support the local LGBTQI2S community,” added Emson.
The films are:
- Another Sad Gay Love Story;
- Super Zee;
- Coming Out;
- AYANEH;
- Beauty Boys;
- So Beautiful;
- Consent factory: lesbo-queer perspectives;
- The Noose;
- One More Please;
- Queering;
- Good Bi Kiss;
- The Unlikely Story of the Lesbians of First Friday;
- And Creme Brulee The Movie.
At intermission, there will be Q&A with at least one of the filmmaker.
The Muskoka Queer Film Festival offers regular tickets for $25 and VIP seating for $50. Tickets are available now online on mqff.ca (click on get tickets) or at the box office in the Rene M. Caisse Theatre. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the event.
The Muskoka Queer Film Festival is a collaboration of Muskoka Pride, Sanctuary Studios Inc., and the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce, and is sponsored by the Canadian Experiences Fund delivered through FedNor.
To learn more about the program and the selected films, visit mqff.ca
About the Canadian Experiences Fund
The Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF) supports communities across Canada as they create and enhance tourism products, facilities and experiences. Delivered through Canada’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), this two-year Fund helps Canada’s tourism sector innovate and grow by providing targeted investments based on regional priorities (including inclusiveness, especially for the LGBTQ2 community).
