See TIGLFF Shot on Site gallery here!
While standing before a crowded Tampa Theater on Oct. 18, Chuck Henson expressed his gratitude to the Tampa Bay LGBT community.
“This has been a fantastic experience,” the executive director of the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival said. “This little festival has grown so much over the past two decades and its because of people like you that it is the incredible event it is today.”
Henson said that the 20th Annual TIGLFF was more attended and better funded than in years past, at least on the personal contribution level. Personal donations were up more than 100% over 2008 while corporate sponsorships waned.
“That shows that this festival is for you, the community,” Henson said. “Your support means so much to us and we’re already looking forward to next year.”
While TIGLFF brought nearly 80 movies to the Tampa Theater and Muvico Baywalk over 11 days, there was much more to the festival than films. The Sugar and Surge Parties on Oct. 17 were both deemed successes in Ybor City and the opening weekend Gala saw a packed house at the Gala.
“This is phenomenal,” Steve Kmetko, entertainment reporter and guest emcee said during the Gala. “Everyone here is incredibly nice and welcoming. This is a great community.”
And that community showed up in force from the opening night festivities to closing night celebrations.
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 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. The opening night guests and excitement of the crowd wasn’t lost on Henson.
“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 will return with monthly programming after the first of the year and has already begun preparations for the 21st Annual festival in 2010. Henson says he believes next year’s event will be just as good, if not better, than 2009’s.
“This year we celebrated 20 years of LGBT films,” Henson said. “Next year we’re 21 and we can drink!”
