ABOVE: Victor Gimenez, photo via TIGLFF.
TAMPA | The Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival announced Nov. 29 that Victor Gimenez will serve as the organization’s new executive director.
Gimenez is the former executive director of the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival, billed as South Florida’s premiere showcase for LGBTQ cinema. He served in the role for six years, overseeing its rebranding, increase in cash reserves and more.
“Mr. Gimenez will lead TIGLFF into its 33rd year and out of the pandemic by overseeing all aspects of the organization from fundraising to programming and building a new outreach effort in the community,” TIGLFF shared in a press release. “In addition to the annual festival, which takes place in October, he will oversee newer programs such as the Trans Film Festival in November and the BIPOC Festival in June.”
TIGLFF’s inaugural Queer in Color was held June 18-20, designed to elevate LGBTQ cinema focusing on those who are Black, Indigenous and people of color for Pride Month and Juneteenth. Its second annual Tampa Bay Transgender Film Festival closed out the year Nov. 19-21 during Transgender Day of Remembrance, highlighting the trans experience on screen in partnership with St Pete Pride.
The smaller events flanked TIGLFF’s 32nd annual festival, which marked its return to in-person outings Oct. 1-10. This year’s first-ever hybrid event allowed Tampa Bay audiences to either stream films from home or attend screenings at the Tampa Theatre or AMC Sundial in St. Petersburg.
“We’re very fortunate to have an organization like this around, especially after 32 years when so many others have gone away,” TIGLFF President Rob Akins said at the time. “Maybe we don’t need to watch every film in a theater, but it’s still good to be out and around other people. TIGLFF provides something that’s needed.”
The organization initially announced its search for an executive director in 2019. The position was described as a transformational role that would support TIGLFF’s mission by providing strategic leadership by working to implement long-range goals. The search was delayed due to COVID-19.
“We are excited for Victor to join TIGLFF,” Akins now says. “His years of experience in the industry will be instrumental in leading the organization and realizing the board’s vision for TIGLFF, to once again, be a leading LGBTQ+ arts organization.”
“The Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival is at a great crossroads to become a more vibrant part of the Tampa/St. Pete LGBTQ+ community by not only being an avenue where great films will be shown,” Gimenez adds, “but also allowing the community to come together to discuss those films, learn more about each other and create meaningful dialogue.”
Read TIGLFF’s full release below:
Planning for TIGLFF’s next screenings are already underway. Its main festival will return Oct. 7-16, 2022.
To learn more about TIGLFF, each of its events and more, visit TIGLFF.com.
