Attendance at the 21st Annual Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival was down significantly from 2009, but that’s to be expected after an anniversary year, according to board president John Thomas.
Numbers reflect a 12% decline in attendance from 2009, but only down 2% from 2008’s numbers.
“Attendance was up in 2009 because of the 20th Anniversary celebration,” Thomas said. “Financially we ended right where we targeted. Plus, film series ticket sales were way up for the second year in a row.”
Because of cost-cutting measures by the board this year, the drop in sponsor, advertiser and donor dollars that were also down this year didn’t impact TIGLFF as harshly as it could have.
“We will actually add a small surplus to the surplus from last year going into 2011,” Thomas said.
One of the more significant cost-cutting measures was the elimination of the annual Gala, which draws a crowd opening weekend. Overall the reaction to that elimination was positive, which Thomas credits to the overall quality of this year’s films.
“[Festival goers] gave the strongest thumbs up to films than I’ve seen in years,” Thomas said. “They were also excited about new technologies, from e-voting and Facebook to trailers on the website. They were especially jazzed about our first Skype Q&A with director J.C. Calciano and actor Nicholas snow.”
The gala could return in 2011, however. Thomas said several donors have offered to fund the event at the 22nd TIGLFF next fall.
“If we have these funds at the beginning of 2011, it will make it much easier to plan and pull off a successful gala next October,” Thomas said.
Each year, festival attendees vote for their audience favorite while a panel of judges choose their favorites by category.
The results are below:
Jury Awards:
1. Best Full Length Feature Film/Video: Eyes Wide Open, Director Haim Tabakman; 2009, Israel, 90 min.
2. Best Documentary Film/Video: Making the Boys, Director Crayton Robey; 2008, USA, 90 min.
3. Best Men’s Short Film/Video: Gay Shark Tank, Director Guy Shalem, 2010, USA, 15 min.
4. Best Women’s Short Film/Video: Loop Planes, Writer/Director Robin Wilby, 2010, USA, 11 min.
Emerging Filmmaker Awards:
In honor of Alan Ira Dusowitz, whose estate established the Friends of the Festival Endowment in 2009.
1. Best Emerging Filmmaker for a Full Length Feature Film/Video: Director Haim Tabakman, Eyes Wide Open; 2009, Israel, 90 min.
2. Best Emerging Filmmaker for a Short Film/Video: Director Deana Williams, Tracks; 2009, USA, 25 min.
Audience Favorite Awards:
1. Best Men’s Feature Film/Video: Fit, Director Rikki Beadleâ€Ã”šÃ‚ÂBlair; 2009, UK, 108 min.
2. Best Women’s Feature Film/Video: Elena Undone, Director Nicole Conn; 2010, USA, 111 min.
3. Best Documentary Film/Video: Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls, Director Leanne Pooley; 2009. New Zealand, 84 min.
4. Best Men’s Short Film/Video: GoGo Reject, Director: Heath Daniels, 2010, USA, 20 min.
5. Best Women’s Short Film/Video: Tanz ins Gluck (Dancing to Happiness), Director: Barbara Seiler, 2008, Switzerland, 16 min.
