The OUTshine Film Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary season in Fort Lauderdale this year with over 50 films, a red carpet and celebrity studded opening night, a week of parties, and exclusive panel discussions with up-and-coming directors, producers, and film talent from the LGBTQ community.
“10 years is a milestone anniversary, and we’re very excited to be part of the cultural landscape in Fort Lauderdale. We’ve been growing steadily every year, and have extended the film festival by an additional day to be able to bring in more award-winning films and accommodate more attendees.” says Victor Gimenez, Executive Director of the OUTshine Film Festival.
The film festival’s will kick off on October 18th, with the Opening Night documentary, “Studio 54” film at 7pm at Savor Cinema (503 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale), which highlights nightlife entrepreneurs Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell as they recount the story of how they created one of the greatest clubs of all time. The film will be followed by the opening night party at a stunning private waterfront residence in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Although I was too young to attend Studio 54, growing up in New York City I heard many stories and once I came out I heard many more. Having said that, there was so many things that I didn’t know, that I found out form watching this movie. Obviously I don’t want to list them as I want you all to go see the movie, but one of the incredible things I learned was that Studio 54 was only opened for 33 months. In less than three years they created a brand that was and is iconic.
Studio 54 was the epicenter of 70s hedonism – a place that redefined what a nightclub could be but also came to symbolize an entire era. Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell came out of nowhere to preside over a new kind of New York society. With unprecedented access to Schrager, who tells the whole unvarnished story for the first time, and a treasure-trove of rare footage, director Matt Tyrnauer constructs a vivid, glorious portrait of a disco-era phenomenon and tells the story of two friends who stuck together through an incredible series of highs and lows. While watching the interviews with Ian that were done for this movie, you can still see the love he has for Steve, almost 30 years after his passing. This is a bond that even death could not break!
The OUTshine Film Festival’s 10th anniversary season will include over 50 films, with 34 feature length films and 17 shorts, multiple panel discussions with filmmakers and talent, and nightly parties and events throughout the 8 day festival.
Some of the other films for the first week are:
My Big Gay Italian Wedding (Puoi Baciare lo Sposo) – Friday, October 19th – 7pm – Savor Cinema
Antonio and Paolo live happily together in Berlin and are finally getting married. They decide to celebrate in the small village in Italy where Antonio grew up. While his mother immediately supports his intentions, her husband Roberto, the town Mayor, is much more reluctant. Paulo, who has not spoken to his conservative mother in a long time, must get her to the wedding as a condition of the marriage. Throw in a couple of wacky roommates and the aisle to the alter is paved with hilarity, hijinks and lots of love!
Consequences (Posledice) – Friday October 19th – 9:15 pm – The Classic Gateway Theatre
After being sent to a youth correctional facility, 17-year-old Andrej meets Željko, the informal leader of a group of inmates. Soon Željko starts exploiting Andrej in return for keeping his homosexuality a secret thus causing Andrej’s sense of responsibility and moral integrity to be put to the test. Andrej must ultimately choose between Željko and his reckless lifestyle and staying true to himself.
Reach – Saturday October 20th – 12:30 pm – The Classic Gateway Theatre
Socially awkward band geek Steven (Garrett Clayton) is planning to kill himself, but then is befriended by the new quirky kid in school Clarence. They form an inseparable bond as Clarence finds creative ways to pull Steven out of his depression. Steven reaches out of his comfort zone forming stronger relationships with his father, friends, and teachers…Reach out, be kind, save lives.
Going West – Saturday October 20th – 5pm – The Classic Gateway Theatre
An unemployed music teacher takes his estranged transgender father on a road trip to the west coast of Norway in order to honor his late mother’s excellent quilting skills. It’s a mostly playful affair with splashes of drama and everyday tragedy. The film cheerfully avoids the most tired clichés associated with the road movie genre and takes an honest and refreshing look at Georg’s transgender identity and the effects it has on everyone. Tender, quirky and spunky, Going West is a warm and touching feel good film about life, loss and love.
It’s Raining Men (Men’s Shorts) – Saturday October 20th – 5pm – Savor Cinema (total run time 104 minutes):
Sparrow
Directed by Welby Ings, 15 minutes, New Zealand
The Boy Who Wanted to Fly (El Nino Que Queria Volar)
Directed by Jorge Muriel, 15 minutes, Spain. In Spanish with English subtitles
Sam Did It
Directed by Dominic Burgess, 10 minutes, USA
Something About Alex
Directed by Reinout Hellenthal, 19 minutes, Netherlands. In Dutch with English subtitles
Sailors Delight
Directed by Jonas Ritter, Loucas Rongeart, Louise Aubertin, Eloïse Girard, Amandine Thomoux, Marine Meneyrol, 6 minutes, France
Odd Job Man
Directed by Marianne Blicher, 22 minutes, Denmark. In Danish with English subtitles
Femme
Directed by Alden Peters, 17 minutes, USA
“Greater Fort Lauderdale has always been a hub for creativity, and we’re excited to see the OUTshine Film Festival continue to thrive in our destination and offer both the LGBTQ and the Ally community a place where they can come together, share experiences, and enjoy award-winning films with their friends and peers.” says Noelle Stevenson, Vice President Film, Music, Fashion & Create at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.
“This year, we’ll kick off the festival with a private filmmaker’s soiree at the “Manor Mansion” estate, featuring DJ Tracy Young, hosted by the Greater Fort Lauderdale’s CVB film, music, fashion & create division.”
To see a full listing of all the films, the parties, or to purchase tickets or for more info go to: Outshinefilm.com.
About OUTshine Film Festival
The OUTshine LGBT Film Festival is a bi-annual film festival with a mission to inspire, entertain, and educate the public and encourage a sense of community through international and culturally diverse film, video and other media that offer historical and contemporary perspectives on the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience.
source https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2018/10/18/outshine-film-festival-celebrates-10-years/
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