Out Film CT celebrates the 27th season of the Connecticut LGBT Film Festival with an all-star lineup.
Cinestudio, on the campus of Trinity College in Hartford plays host to the anxiously awaited Connecticut LGBT Film Festival every year. Now in its 27th season of bringing audiences an abundant array of gay and lesbian cinema, from all over the world, Out Film CT is ecstatic to release the line-up and calendar of events that will be taking place beginning May 30th.
“As always, we select the very best films available,” says Shane Engstrom, Film Festival Co-Director. “These films include shorts, feature-length dramas and comedies and documentaries. Our goal is to present a wide range of films from all around the world that tell compelling stories and reflect the diversity of the LGBT community.”
This year, for the first time, Out Film CT will award a $500 cash prize to the winner in each of four categories: Best Feature – Audience Award, Best Documentary – Audience Award, Best Short – Jury Award, and Director Award.
“In addition to providing congratulations and recognition, we’ll also give the winning film makers a cash award to show our appreciation of their work, to thank them for creating a memorable experience for our audience, and to encourage them to continue making extraordinary films,” says Co-Director Laura Williams.
The Festival opens on May 30th with Boy Meets Girl, a fun and romantic comedy featuring the beautiful, fashion-forward transgender woman Ricky and her best childhood friend Robby, who stands by her no matter what.
May 31st the Festival will screen Girltrash: All Night Long, a Curve favorite, which follows the story of five girls and one ridiculously epic night. Each character has their own agenda for the evening but they are all thrown together when the night begins to whirlwind and spiral out of control. The girls will find love, chick fights and rock and roll. Did I mention it was a musical?
Last year the Festival presented a full evening of women’s short films for the first time. “That was such a big hit that we’re doing it again. We were very fortunate to have so many excellent women’s short films to choose from this year. It’s going to be another great program that all audiences can enjoy, with a little bit of something for everyone,” Williams says. Women’s shorts night is Tuesday, June 3.
This year’s festival has many premieres, including the U.S. premiere of the poignant lesbian drama Of Girls and Horses, the international premiere of the madcap Queen of Amsterdam (closing night), and the U.S., North American and world premieres of several short films.
In addition to opening and closing night parties, another Festival mainstay that’s returning is the always-popular silent auction. “Our film fans are also big silent auction fans,” Engstrom says. “We always have a great selection of items that can be had at bargain prices. The competitive bidding is always spirited and really energizes the Festival.”
LGBT Film Festival Dates
Opens Friday, May 30, Cinestudio, Trinity College campus
Closes Saturday, June 7, Spotlight Theatres at Front Street and Wadsworth Atheneum