Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Fest

Get out of your condos -- and your closets -- it's time for the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.

By Kevin Craft

The Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival kicks off its 10th anniversary this Friday, and for ten days the festival will screen 95 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender films from 22 countries. As a present to the region that has supported its growth over the past decade, MGLFF is launching a miniature version of itself, the Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, which will run from May 1-May 4.

Presented by HBO, MGLFF features a wide array of films, parties and special events that make it unique to South Florida. The Gusman Center for the Performing Arts hosts the festival's Opening Night Gala screening of Breakfast with Scot, which will be followed by a Christmas-themed after party at Jungle Island's serpentarium.

Other featured events include the festival's Centerpiece Gala screening of The Secrets, a film about the place of feminism and sexuality in Orthodox Judaism. Following that screening, which takes place at the Colony Theater on Wednesday, April 30, head over to the Maxine at the Catalina Hotel for an after party featuring an apperance by fire performer Marti Abrams. The 9th Annual PlanetOut Short Movie Awards takes place on Sunday, April 27th. On Saturday, May 3rd Christine Vacchon, the producer of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Boys Don't Cry and Velvet Goldmine, will receive the Career Achievement Award prior to the Florida premiere of Savage Grace.

No film festival would be complete without its share of special events. The Merge Miami Queer Film and Media Conference will provide a platform for film industry veterans to interact with aspiring professionals through a series of workshops, seminars and networking events April 26th and 27th. Former Project Runway winner Jay McCarroll presents his his 11 Minute runway show on the rooftop of the Dorset at the Catalina Hotel on Saturday, April 26. Edison Farrow hosts the Martini Tuesday After-Party at The Setai on Tuesday, April 29.

Throughout the festival make sure to keep your eyes peeled for celebrities such as Jennifer Tilly and Jasmine Guy, whom will each be supporting with their respective films.

95 films from 22 countries celebrating lifestyles often overlooked by mainstream media. Enjoy.

For more info, click here.

Published: 4/08

A scene from Savage Grace.