My City Buzz - Music_Sports_Film - What's YOUR Buzz??? - GLBT Film Festival Begins this Weekend in Royal Oak

Home

Art Hates You

GLBT Film Festival Begins this Weekend in Royal Oak

Written by Taryn Shick

Wednesday, 10 October 2007

I’ve been to several film festivals this year already: East Lansing, Student Films Across America, Traverse City. But none compare to the annual GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender) Film Festival presented by Reel Pride Michigan. The crowds and the energy are always way more fun and no other festival carries a midnight screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
At East Lansing, it’s mostly students, their parents and friends and some scattered MSU alumni. The Student Films Across America is, again, more students and their parents and friends. Traverse City is mostly locals who just think it’s uber-exciting to have a festival in their town. I love all film festivals and the opportunity to see films that are not likely to be seen elsewhere. But I always feel like I fit in more when I’m at the GLBT Film Festival. This makes sense since the festival aims to create an atmosphere of being able to be open and to be yourself. And I believe it succeeds in this aim more and more each year.

The festival once again takes place at the Main Art Theater in Royal Oak. Opening night will be this Friday, October 12 at 8 p.m. and will showcase the film Shelter. Tickets include the afterparty.
The rest of the weekend will feature 11 films. Saturday October 13 there are 6 films scheduled from 11 a.m. This includes the Midnight screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show. The first show of the day, Out Running, will benefit Triangle Action Fund. There are 5 films scheduled for Sunday, October 14 with the first show at 10:30 a.m. and the last at 9:45 p.m. The 10:30 a.m. show includes a benefit brunch with a discussion centering on homosexuality and the Bible to coincide with the film For the Bible Tells Me So following the brunch.

The weekdays, Monday, October 15 through Thursday, October 18, carry two films each. (Full Festival Schedule) Showtimes are at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. There are two series of shorts being presented, as is a signature of the festival. The girls’ will be at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and the boys’ will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday. I was able to catch 5 of the 16 shorts (8 each). Dream of an Ex-Girlfriend (director Peter Pizzi) was a very funny telling of an odd dream. In the Spotlight (director Hilary Goldberg) was a very inventive exploration of the dark side of fame. Working it Out (director Tim Hunter) shows a couple working out their bodies and their relationship and had a nice twist. Overdue Conversation (director Charles Lum) is very aptly titled and creatively presented a discussion on casual sex. Kali Ma (director Soman Chainani) is a riveting tale of revenge and a mother’s love. I cannot wait to see the rest.

There is a bonus presentation on Tuesday, October 16 at 6 p.m. You can catch a free preview of Logo’s new show Exes and Ohs. Read more about the show.
Finally, the festival will close on Friday, October 19. Four films are being shown starting at noon and ending with an 8 p.m. closing film. The final film, The Itty Bitty Titty Committee, includes the Closing Night Extravaganza.

For more info, including film descriptions and ticket prices click here.
Be sure to check out ticket packages that will save you money. You can purchase passes to the opening and closing films. You can purchase a weekend pass that includes all films for Saturday, October 13 and Sunday, October 14. You could go all out and purchase a director’s pass that includes all screenings and events. Please attend as much of the festival as you can. It’s a great festival at a great theater and will be a lot of fun. I hope to see you there! .

No one has commented on this article.

< Prev		Next >