“The Blue Caftan” (pictured) will be the opening night film for the 14th Annual OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival. (photo from OUTshineFilm.com)
The 14th Annual OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival highlights the importance of queer representation within film and media, while bringing community leaders, directors, producers and performers into the spotlight. It will take place Oct. 13-23.
“Film really impacts the LGBTQ communities within Florida and beyond,” says Sara Grossman, chief marketing officer and founder of CODE-mktg. “Because the more representation we see on screen of our community the better it feels, the less alone we feel, the more representation that LGBTQ youth see, the more possible they see that they can become those LGBTQ adults … Knowing that there are other folks like you out there, can only be encouraging.”
The Fort Lauderdale edition of the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival, which is hosted every two years, will take place Oct. 13-23.
This year’s festival includes 51 films from more than 25 countries and 5 Spotlight screenings. Parties will be hosted after each screening on an outdoor balcony. Grossman says there will be surprise appearances from some of the films directors and actors. The film fest will also welcome many local LGBTQ community leaders.
“The festival allows us to come together through film to socialize and create community, and to be in a theatre with people like us — all shapes, sizes, colors and identifications — and to feel safe,” Joe Bilancio, Director of Programming for OUTshine, said. “The vibe in the theatre is electric and the after-parties allow us to meet the filmmakers and stars, as well as community leaders who are making South Florida a wonderful place for the LGBTQ+ community.”
“Our goal is to continue to provide quality LGBTQ films that you can’t see anywhere else. To an audience that relishes, that needs to see ourselves on screen. That needs to see our stories be told,” says Mark Gilbert, board chair and interim executive director of OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival. “And for long term we want to be here for many, many, many years to come.”
The opening film, which was filmed in Morocco, France, Belgium and Denmark, is entitled “The Blue Caftan.” and is a romantic and touching story about the relationship between a married master tailor and his young apprentice.
Other festival highlights include “In From the Side,” a story about two rugby players and their passionate love affair; “The Tiny Shrimps Fight Back,” a film detailing how a gay water polo team is stranded in the harsh environment of homophobic RussiIn “The Five Devils,” a portrait of a strange little girl who has magical gifts; and “The Return of Tanya Tucker,” a musically inspired tribute to the legendary country music performer led by Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile.
The films will be screened in South Florida’s newly renovated Gateway and the Savor Theatre, with many of the films also being offered virtually throughout the entire state of Florida for the time ever.
“Part of the reason why it’s great that the festival is digital at this time is a lot about the political climate within Florida right now, especially against the LGBTQ community,” Grossman says. “It’s great the entire state has access to all these films and shorts and can see themselves represented on the screen.”
OUTshine is the largest LGBTQ cultural arts event in South Florida, encouraging guest to be “OUTrageous, OUTspoken and OUTstanding,” as they enjoy the festival.
For tickets, a full listing of all the festival’s films and to find out how you can watch virtually, go to OUTshineFilm.com.
