Editor

A drama about coming out later in life, starring Robin Williams in one of his last performances, will open this year’s Connecticut LGBT Film Festival. Now in its 28^th season, the Festival runs from May 29 to June 6. Screenings will be at Cinestudio on the campus of Trinity College, except for closing night when the Festival moves downtown.

“Robin Williams was one of the best actors of his generation who made his mark on American cinema not only through the pure genius of his comedy, but also through his powerful dramatic roles,” said Festival Co-Director Shane Engstrom. “We’re really pleased to open the Festival with Boulevard and think it will appeal to a wide audience; not just to the LGBT community, but also to Robin Williams’ many devoted fans.”

For the first time, this year’s Festival will include a full evening of men’s short films, to complement the full evening of women’s short films, which returns for the third year. “There are so many wonderful short films being made, and the women’s shorts program has been so popular. It just made sense to offer two nights of all-shorts programming this year,” said Festival Co-Director Laura Williams. Men’s shorts night is Monday, June 1 and Women’s shorts night is Tuesday, June 2.

This year’s Centerpiece film, presented midway through the Festival, is Back on Board: Greg Louganis, an unflinching documentary about the legendary Olympic diver who fell on hard times after his glory days were behind him. There will be a reception prior to the film sponsored by Pratt & Whitney. The Centerpiece program is Wednesday, June 3.

The Festival’s closing night extravaganza will be in Downtown Hartford, with simultaneous screenings at Spotlight Theatres at Front Street and the Connecticut Science Center, and a party following at the Science Center.

“This is our fourth year holding closing night in Downtown Hartford. We’re so fortunate to have two great venues,” Williams said. “Our closing night party two years ago at the Science Center had rave reviews. This year we’re literally moving on up – to the top floor, where the views are spectacular.”

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. Plans are still being made, but one star already confirmed is Kristin Beck, the former U.S. Navy SEAL who is now living her life truthfully as a transgender woman and is the subject of the documentary, Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story. Other guests expected to attend include screenwriter Douglas Soesbe (Boulevard), director/producer Cheryl Furjanic (Back on Board: Greg Louganis) and director/writer Erica Tremblay (In the Turn).

In addition to opening and closing night parties, another Festival tradition that’s returning is the always popular silent auction. “The Festival is mainly about the films, of course, but there’s also a huge social component,” Engstrom said. “Intermission is a great time for our guests to mingle and engage in some very competitive silent auction bidding.”

LGBT Film Festival Dates:

Opens Friday, May 29, Cinestudio, Trinity College campus

Closes Saturday, June 6, Spotlight Theatres at Front Street and Connecticut Science Center

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 Second Thursdays Cinema series, with screenings at Cinestudio on the second Thursday of most months.

Here’s the lineup of feature films and documentaries for the 28th Connecticut LGBT Film Festival:

Friday, May 29 – 7:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

Boulevard

Directed by Dito Montiel

2014, USA, 88 min

In his last unreleased dramatic role, Robin Williams gives a gripping performance as a 60-year-old man who reaches a crossroads in life when he befriends a hot young male escort. Will this friendship give him the strength to finally seek the happiness missing in his life? Co-starring Emmy Award-winning actress Kathy Baker (Picket Fences, Boston Public) and introducing rising star Roberto Aguire.

Saturday, May 30 – 3 p.m.

Cinestudio

20 Lies, 4 Parents and a Little Egg

Directed by Hanro Smitsman

2013, Netherlands, 78 min, in Dutch with English subtitles

A film about lively adolescents, infantile parents and their incompetence. Sjors and Bert are a couple, but Sjors never mentioned that he has a 15-year-old son, Dylan. When they’re abruptly introduced to Dylan after he’s evicted by his mother and her girlfriend, everything changes. From that moment on, Sjors’ and Bert’s lives are turned upside down.

Saturday, May 30 – 7:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

While You Weren’t Looking

Directed by Catherine Stewart

2015, South Africa, 75 min, In English, Xhosa, and Afrikaans with English subtitles

The changing landscape of post-Apartheid South African politics and lifestyles is portrayed through two queer relationships: a successful real estate developer Dez, her wife Terri and their bohemian college-age daughter Asanda. Terri begins to wonder if Dez is being faithful. Both are taken by surprise when Asanda suddenly starts dating a gender non-conforming Tommy Boy from the Soweto ghettos. 

Saturday, May 30 – 9:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

Velociraptor

Dir by Chucho Quintero

2014, Mexico, 94 min, in Spanish with English subtitles

It's the end of the world, or so they think. Two best friends, one gay and one straight, walk around the mostly abandoned city, discussing matters of unrequited love, the pain that cauterizes open wounds, and ... sex. The strength of their unbreakable friendship will help them test the limits of trust and loyalty, but how far will Diego go in order to save Alex from himself? How far would you go on the last day of planet Earth?

Sunday, May 31 – 3 p.m.

Cinestudio

Liz in September

Directed by Fina Torres

2014, Venezuela, 93 min, in Spanish with English subtitles

Every year, Liz, a hardcore party girl and womanizer, celebrates her birthday with her friends at a Caribbean beach retreat. This year is different. She is sick but hates pity, so she hides her terminal illness. When a stranger's car breaks down suddenly in the nearby village, Liz comes to the rescue.  But neither woman can realize how abruptly their lives are about to change as Liz deals with illness and her ingenue closes the door on a marriage broken by the loss of a child.

Sunday, May 31 – 7:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story

Directed by Mark Herzon & Sandrine Orabona

2014, USA, 84 min

Christopher Beck is a former U.S. Navy SEAL who embarks on a new mission as Kristin Beck. In 2013, a year and a half after retirement, Kristin came out publicly on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360. Many friends, colleagues and family were taken by surprise. The American ideals she protected while at war are now given a whole new meaning as she lives her life truthfully as a transgender woman.

Monday, June 1 – 7:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

Men’s Shorts Night!

117 minutes

Love, lust, romance, best buds, a 23-year-old rugby player, haircuts, Austrian Military Forces and a lesson in hooking up even if you don’t speak the same language. You’ll find all this and more at our first ever Men’s Shorts Night!

Tuesday, June 2 – 7:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

Women’s Shorts Night!

117 minutes

Dream dates to the prom, young love, older love, coming of age, relationships, a bachelorette party and a lesbian dog. You’ll find all this and more as Women’s Shorts Night returns for a third spectacular year!

Wednesday, June 3 – 7:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

Centerpiece Film

Back on Board: Greg Louganis

Directed by Cheryl Furjanic

2014, USA, 86 min

Greg Louganis: Olympic diver, gold medalist, actor, AIDS activist. This brutally honest documentary goes beyond the diving board to illuminate the man behind the Olympic myth. A funny, thought-provoking, sexy, and truthful look at the man still considered to be "the world's greatest diver ever!"

Thursday, June 4 – 7:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

How to Win at Checkers (Every Time)

Directed by Josh Kim

2015, USA/Thailand/Indonesia, 80 min, in Thai with English subtitles

All Thai males must participate in the military draft lottery when they turn 21. Drawing a black card gets you an exemption. Drawing a red card gets you two years of military service. When Ek and his boyfriend both face the possibility of being drafted, Ek’s 11-year-old brother Oat must grow up and learn to take care of himself. This is a wonderful coming-of-age drama about surviving and struggling to stay together in a land plagued by social and economic inequality.

Friday, June 5 – 7:30 p.m.

Cinestudio

Happy End

Directed by Petra Clever

2014, Germany/Netherlands, 86 min, in German with English subtitles

This is a high-energy romantic road movie about aspiring law student Lucca and her new friend Valerie. Irresistible chemistry blossoms as they embark on a wild adventure to deliver the ashes of the recently deceased Herma to her final resting place — against the wishes of Herma’s family. Invigorated by Valerie’s free spirit, Lucca rebels from her father’s conservative plans as her dreams for the future evolve. Their lives will never be the same again.

CLOSING NIGHT, SIMULTANEOUS PROGRAMS

Closing night party follows at the Connecticut Science Center.

Saturday, June 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Spotlight Theatres at Front Street

54: The Director’s Cut

Directed by Mark Christopher

1998/2015, USA, 106 min

Think you've seen this film about Studio 54 before? No, you haven't, not this version, the one that reflects the true vision of writer/director Mark Christopher with all the gay/bi scenes restored. This "Director's Cut" removes 25 minutes of studio-forced reshoots and restores 36 minutes of original footage initially deemed "too controversial." The resulting story can now be seen as it was intended - the close relationship between three people who worked at Studio 54 in its heyday. Starring Ryan Phillippe, Salma Hayek, Neve Campbell and Mike Myers as the creepy Steve Rubell.

Saturday, June 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Connecticut Science Center

In the Turn

Directed by Erica Tremblay

2014, USA/Canada, 91 min

Look out world, this is roller derby, rainbow style! You'll wish you'd packed your inline skates as this documentary follows Crystal, a 10-year-old transgender girl growing up in rural Ontario whose mother is hoping to help her find acceptance and empowerment in the company of a queer roller derby collective.  Come cheer her on!