Editor

New Name, Same Great Festival:

27^th Connecticut LGBT Film Festival, May 30 – June 7

HARTFORD, Conn. – May 5, 2014 – Out Film CT celebrates the 27th season of its flagship film festival by changing the name from the Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Film Festival to the more inclusive Connecticut LGBT Film Festival.

“We have always aimed to have programming that’s fully inclusive of the entire LGBT community but our name hasn’t communicated that,” said Festival Co-Director Shane Engstrom. “Our new name reflects the diversity of our community and the diversity of the Festival.”

The Festival opens May 30 with Boy Meets Girl, a fun and romantic coming-of-age comedy featuring the beautiful, fashion-forward transgender woman Ricky and her best childhood friend Robby, who stands by her no matter what. “This heart-warming, affirming tale will appeal to a broad audience and is a wonderful way to open the Festival,” said Festival Co-Director Laura Williams. “With interesting plot twists and two endearing lead characters, this is a feel-good movie that will put the audience in the right mood for the opening night party.”

The Festival runs through June 7 in Hartford. Most screenings will take place at Cinestudio on the campus of Trinity College, but there will be several “off campus” screenings, including a closing night extravaganza in Downtown Hartford, with simultaneous screenings at Spotlight Theatres at Front Street and the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. The closing night party follows at the Wadsworth.

“Two years ago we celebrated our 25th season with a closing night party at the Wadsworth Atheneum and we’re thrilled to be returning,” Williams said. “Our friends at the Wadsworth really rolled out the red carpet for us, and we had many comments from our guests about what a great place it was for a party.”

Williams also noted that 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 said. Women’s shorts night is Tuesday, June 3.

This year’s Centerpiece film, presented midway through the Festival, is Burning Blue, a searing military drama set during the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell era that tells the story of a forbidden love and the tragic consequences of a modern day witch hunt. There will be a reception prior to the film sponsored by Pratt & Whitney, and Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman is expected to make opening remarks to introduce the film. The Centerpiece program is Wednesday, June 4.

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.

Each year the Festival includes appearances by directors, producers and actors who answer questions from the audience and visit with festival guests after the program. Engstrom said that tradition will continue this year, with special visitors flying in from as far away as Europe.

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 said. “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

Ticket Prices:

Opening Night/Closing Night, includes party (each night priced separately)

General Admission, $20
Student/Senior, $15

Other shows

General Admission, $10
Student/Senior, $7

Festipass

All shows plus opening night and closing night parties, $75
 

3-Show Pass

Any three shows except opening and closing nights, $25

Complete LGBT Film Festival information available at: www.OutFilmCT.org.

Out Film CT, which organizes the Festival, is a nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to presenting outstanding LGBT cinema and other theatrical events throughout the year, culminating in the nine-day Connecticut LGBT Film Festival. Connecticut's longest-running film festival holds a special place in our state’s cultural landscape, bringing the community together to introduce, celebrate and rediscover the ideas and values that make the LGBT community unique. Out Film CT also presents the EROS Film Festival each fall, and the First Thursdays Cinema series, with screenings at Cinestudio on the first Thursday of most months.

Here’s the lineup of feature films and documentaries for the 27th Connecticut LGBT Film Festival:

Friday, May 30 – 7:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

Boy Meets Girl

Directed by Eric Schaeffer

2014, USA, 95 min

This fun and romantic coming-of-age comedy features the beautiful, fashion-forward transgender woman Ricky and her best childhood friend Robby (Michael Welch, Twilight). Lamenting the lack of eligible bachelors, Ricky considers dating a girl. In walks the sexy Francesca. Has Ricky found true love?

Saturday, May 31 – 2:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

To Be Takei

Directed by Jennifer M. Kroot

2014, USA, 93 min

Oh, my! This isn’t your average documentary because George Takei isn’t your ordinary guy. This entertaining portrait of the legendary actor and activist follows Takei’s trek for life, liberty and love from his early years in a World War II internment camp for Japanese Americans, to the helm of the Starship Enterprise, to the daily news feeds of five million Facebook fans.

Saturday, May 31 – 5 p.m.

Spotlight Theatres

Girltrash: All Night Long

Directed by Alexandra Kondracke

2013, USA, 86 min

In the tradition of Go and Superbad, Girltrash: All Night Long is the story of five girls and one epic night. Daisy and Tyler are two hapless rockers trying to make it to a Battle of the Bands on time. They are waylaid by Daisy’s sister, Colby, who has her sights set on hooking up with Misty, the girl of her dreams As the night spirals out of control, the girls will find love, lust, girl-fights, rock and roll, and a whole lot of stoned sorority girls. Oh, yeah, did we mention it’s a musical?

Saturday, May 31 – 7:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

The Way He Looks (Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho)

Directed by Daniel Ribeiro

2014, Brazil, 95 min, in Portuguese with English subtitles

A full-length feature based on last year’s Jury Award-winning short, I Don’t Want to Go Back Alone. Leonardo is a blind teenager yearning for independence, but he depends a lot on his best friend Giovana. When the handsome and sexy Gabriel arrives on the scene, Leo’s life changes forever.

Saturday, May 31 – 9:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

Tom at the Farm (Tom à la Ferme)

Directed by Xavier Dolan

2013, Canada, 95 min, in French with English subtitles

Following the untimely death of his boyfriend, Tom travels to the boyfriend’s family farm in the sparse Quebec countryside. Upon arriving, Tom is greeted with unexpected apprehension by the grieving mother, and downright hostility by older brother, Francis. Everyone has secrets and Tom finds himself involved in a dangerous game of deception, governed by the unpredictable and volatile Francis. This thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Sunday, June 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia

Directed by Nicholas D. Wrathall

2013, USA/Italy, 83 min

This retrospective documentary examines the life and work of the iconic, trailblazing and controversial American writer Gore Vidal. With never-before-seen interviews and candid footage of Vidal in his final years, the film explores his enduring global impact on art, politics, and everything in between. With commentary and appearances by Christopher Hitchens, Mikhail Gorbachev, Burr Steers, Stephen Fry, Tom Ford, Sting, David Mamet, William F. Buckley, Norman Mailer and Dick Cavett.

Sunday, June 1 – 7:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

Double Feature:

A Self-Made Man

Directed by Lori Petchers

2013, USA, 57 min

This feature-length documentary takes a candid look at what it means to be transgender, told through an intimate portrait of trans youth advocate and Connecticut native Tony Ferraiolo. Gender identity first appears in childhood, and some kids feel that they were born in the wrong body. It is a scary time for children and parents alike as they make the transition journey from one gender to the other. This is a film about someone who helps them get there safely.

Followed by:

Open Up To Me

Directed by Simo Halinen

2013, Finland/Sweden, 95 min, in Finnish with English subtitles

Maarit is a beautiful, intelligent and sexy woman – who used to be a man. Struck by the oddity of gender change, she is estranged from the daughter she fathered and from her previous life. When she meets and falls in love with Sami, she finally feels like she can ‘fit in’ somewhere. But Sami is soon put to the test and is forced to confront his own deeply hidden prejudices. With or without Sami, Maarit has to step into a brave new world where only she can determine her sense of belonging.

Monday, June 2 – 7:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

The 10 Year Plan

Directed by JC Calciano

2014, USA, 90 min

This classic romantic comedy tells the story of Myles and Brody – two best friends who are complete opposites when it comes to taste in men. Myles, a successful lawyer and hopeless romantic, wants nothing more than to find the man of his dreams. Brody, a handsome Los Angeles police officer, sleeps with every man he meets in order to avoid feeling unloved. One night they make a pact to be together if neither finds love in ten years. Tick tock, it’s now two months shy of their deadline and neither has met his perfect match. What happens next?

Tuesday, June 3 – 7:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

Women’s Shorts Night!

103 min

This full evening of women’s short films has something for every taste, with stories about new love, lost love, friendship, motherhood, adventure seeking, self-discovery, heartbreak, revenge and much more.

Wednesday, June 4 – 7:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

Centerpiece Film

Burning Blue

Directed by D.M.W. Greer

2013, USA, 96 min

Think Top Gun, but gay. Third generation navy fighter pilot Dan Lynch has it all until an unexpected night on the town turns his world upside down. Set during the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell era, this is the story of a forbidden love and the tragic consequences of a modern day witch hunt. Co-written by University of Connecticut Drama Professor Helene Kvale.

Thursday, June 5 – 7:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

Of Girls and Horses

Directed by Monika Treut - U.S. Premiere!

2014, Germany, 82 min, in German with English subtitles

Alex is a 16-year-old misfit and school dropout who’s been using drugs and cutting herself. Her adoptive mother sends her off to a farm to work with horses. There she meets Nina, a 30-something lesbian and horse lover who shows Alex the ropes, literally, and Alex soon connects with the horses. An upper-class girl, Kathy, arrives for a vacation with her own beautiful horse and the girls slowly form a friendship. One weekend they’re alone at the farm and things get out of control. When vacation is over, will they part, or will they ride off together into the sunset?

Friday, June 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

Heterosexual Jill

Directed by Michelle Ehlen

2013, USA, 80 min

Unable to make progress with her ex-lesbian conversion, a neurotic “All American” Jill tracks down her butch ex-girlfriend Jamie to prove to herself that she is no longer attracted to women. Strung along by guilt and desire, Jamie agrees to the preposterous plan of “dating” Jill so that Jill can close this chapter of her life and move forward with men.

Friday, June 6 – 8:30 p.m.

Spotlight Theatres

Lilting

Directed by Hong Khaou

2014, UK, 91 min

The sudden death of a young London man named Kai leaves his headstrong Chinese-Cambodian mother, Junn, and his boyfriend, Richard, each in a personal and profound state of grief. Feeling a strong sense of responsibility toward Kai's only family member, Richard reaches out to Junn, who has been biding time in an assisted-living home. Though Junn speaks little English, her dislike of Richard is plain, and she meets him with stony resistance. Since they share no common language, Richard hires a translator to facilitate communication, and the two improbable relatives attempt to reach across a chasm of misunderstanding through their memories of Kai.

Saturday, June 7 – 2:30 p.m.

Wadsworth Atheneum

The Dog

Directed by Allison Berg & François Keraudren

2013, USA, 100 min

John Wojtowicz’s attempt to rob a Brooklyn bank to pay for his lover’s sex change operation was immortalized in Sidney Lumet’s 1975 classic film, Dog Day Afternoon, starring Al Pacino. However, the true story of John Wojtowicz remains all but unknown. The Dog captures John, for the first time, telling his story in his own unique, offensive, hilarious and heartbreaking way.

CLOSING NIGHT, SIMULTANEOUS PROGRAMS

Closing night party follows at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art.

Saturday, June 7 – 7:30 p.m.

Spotlight Theatres

Queen of Amsterdam (Chez Nous)

Directed by Tim Oliehoek - International Premiere!
2013, Netherlands, 90 min, in Dutch with English subtitles

A gay drag club, threatened with bankruptcy, is destined to become the property of the neighboring night-time entertainment magnate. To save the club, a close-knit group of regulars at the club plan to commit a Mission Impossible-style heist during Amsterdam’s Gay Pride festivities. They want to steal a pink diamond necklace worth millions from the Royal Museum and save their favorite hangout. But can they succeed?

Saturday, June 7 – 7:30 p.m.

Wadsworth Atheneum

Tru Love

Directed by Kate Johnston & Shauna MacDonald
2013, Canada, 94 min

A sparkling and evocative love story about the intersecting lives of three women. Alice, 60, has recently lost her husband and decides to visit her daughter Suzanne in the big city. Tru, 37, is a serial bed-hopping lesbian who can’t commit to a relationship or a job for long. When Suzanne witnesses a tender moment between mother and friend, her subsequent actions stress their relationships and lead to an unexpected climax.