Only six days into the annual Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, the annual event has already broken last year’s attendance records.
According to TIGLFF Executive Director Chuck Henson, the Oct. 8 opening night event surpassed 2008’s opening night by more than 150 people—and crowds have continued to show up at the Tampa Theater and at Muvico Baywalk in St. Petersburg.
“When we wrapped up last year, we put a lot of energy behind this year,” Henson said. “Any time we were able to get in front of people we talked about our 20th anniversary and the great stuff we were bringing to Tampa Bay—and there’s still more to come!”
Opening night festivities featured a red carpet welcome for Bay Area personalities like St. Pete Times entertainment reporter Steve Persall, Clear Channel radio DJs and festival founders. At the podium inside the theater, guest emcee Steve Kmetko opened the show followed by remarks from Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner and Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio.
“As always, I am thrilled to be part of this festival,” Iorio told a crowd that greeted her with a standing ovation. “Tampa is a place for diversity and acceptance and the film festival showcases that every year.”
Also in attendance was newly appointed Tampa Chief of Police Jane Castor, who has lived openly as a lesbian for many years.
“In my opinion, opening night was electric,” Henson said. “We had so many people that make our community so great in one place at one time. It was amazing.”
TIGLFF continues through Oct. 18 and will hold its annual Sugar and Surge parties in Ybor City on Saturday, Oct. 17. The festival is also selling raffle tickets for an Olivia Cruise, which leaves Tampa in March. The winner of that raffle will be announced before Sunday’s showing of And Then Came Lola.
For more information and a full schedule of events, visit ClipTampaBay.com.
