TAMPA – The Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, or TIGLFF, announced on May 14 The Palladium Theatre in St. Petersburg will be the new home to the festival after 25 years in the Tampa Theatre.
The Palladium, which has hosted many of TIGLFF’s events in the past, will be the location for the festival’s opening weekend and closing night, as well as most of the big events during the nine days of festivities.
“We’re excited about the new opportunities we see in St. Petersburg,” TIGLFF released in a statement. “It’s a city with a growing commitment to the arts, is becoming a must-visit destination for the LGBT community, and is a natural fit for TIGLFF.”
TIGLFF will be screening LGBT films throughout Tampa, St. Pete and Gulfport; however, no films will be screened at the Tampa Theatre. This makes it the first time in the TIGLFF’s 25 year history that the theatre will not be a part festival.
“Tampa Theatre has been proud to be TIGLFF’s home for the past quarter century,” said John Bell, Tampa Theatre’s president and CEO. “We wish them nothing but the best as they move forward. Our doors are always open.”
The film festival will run Oct. 2- 10 and will be attended by several celebrities including comedian and star of Orange is the New Black Lea DeLaria.
” We are putting together events we’ve never done before,” TIGLFF said. “We’re building relationships with new venues and partnering with new organizations.”
TIGLFF said the decision to change host venues was a result of changing times. More multiplexes and online streaming groups such as Netflix and Amazon have made viewing LGBT films much easier.
“The lure of laptops, cellphones, and on-demand means that there’s less incentive to rush to the festival – historically the only place you’d see the best in LGBT film,” TIGLFF said. “We get it, and that’s why we have chosen to adapt and flourish.”
