by Nathaniel R
Shout out to any of our readers in Atlanta or thereabouts! Atlanta's premiere LGBTQ film festival Out on Film is kicking off its 35th anniversary edition on September 22nd with the Bily Eichner romantic comedy Bros as its opening night film. The festival closes on October 2nd with a movie about a double drag queen act Chrissy Judy. The festival's longtime director Jim Farmer has built it up for years into a must attend for LGBTQ films, a chance to showcase local filmmaking talent, AND an Oscar qualifying event...
I've only been to Atlanta once a billion years ago but this festival makes me want an encore visit. From the press release...
Out on Film presented by GILEAD and WABE has announced the lineup of films and events for the 35th Anniversary edition of the Atlanta-based LGBTQIA+ film festival. The Oscar® qualifying film festival, which was recently included on MovieMaker Magazine’s “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” list, once again offers a diverse selection of films from highly anticipated studio efforts to independent films, and international to local Georgia and Atlanta productions as part of its carefully curated hybrid presentation. Taking place September 22-October 2, Out on Film will open with Nicholas Stoller’s comedy Bros co-written by and starring Billy Eichner, with Todd Flaherty’s Chrissy Judy taking the Closing Night slot. Spotlight screenings include Micheal Rice’s Black As U R, Connie Cocchia’s When Time Got Louder, Daresha Kiyi’s Mama Bears, and the world premiere of Yuval David’s Wonderfully Made — LGBTQ+R(eligion) from executive producer Mark McDermott, and advocate producers including Lance Bass.
Special events will include a 40th Anniversary screening of Grease 2 and the film festival’s first screenplay competition, sponsored by Warren Gump.
Right now we are seething with jealousy for any of you who will be in town for the anniversary screening of Michelle Pfeiffer's "Cool Rider"... excuse me, Grease 2 (1982). Or for any of the screenings or events, really. There will be streaming options for most of the films, too.
If any of you are in town or planning to attend virtually please get in touch. We'd love to share more reader experiences of festival adventures!
Of special note since you know we're long time fans of Colman Domingo here at TFE (I take every excuse to share this photo from the fourth time I met him at a party for ZOLA) is that the festival will also honor the sensational actor. He'll be in town to receive the "Out on Film Icon Award".
Any prize for Colman is a prize we are excited about. Speaking of! He won the Guest Actor in a Drama Series Emmy for Euphoria at the Creative Arts Emmys this past weekend. Totally deserved!