The QFilm Festival will take place September 6-9 at the Long Beach LGBTQ Center and the Art Theatre. Photo: Q Voice News file image.
LONG BEACH — A documentary about the legacy queer magazine The Advocate will kick off the QFilm Festival in September, festival organizers announced today.
The festival will take place from September 6 to 9 at the Art Theatre and the Long Beach LGBTQ Center, which also is the festival organizer.
‘THE ADVOCATE’ DOCUMENTARY
“The Advocate Celebrates 50 Years: A Long Road to Freedom,” the opening night film, focuses on watershed moments in LGBTQ history and the gay protest that lead to the publication being launched.
The documentary is narrated by Laverne Cox and features music by Melissa Etheridge.
Discounted full-festival and five-film passes are available for purchase for a limited time only through the QFilms festival page. Individual tickets will be on sale mid August.
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QFILM FESTIVAL DETAILS
Celebrating its 25th year, the QFilm Festival is Long Beach’s longest-running film festival since 1993. The fest annually presents narrative features, documentaries, and short films that embody the rich diversity and experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities.
The festival features a mix of West Coast, California, and local premieres as well as screenings of acclaimed features on the film festival circuit.
Filmmakers and cast members from numerous films will attend for audience discussions. Festival events also will include parties, Sunday brunch, exclusive filmmakers lounge, and opportunities to meet and mingle with filmmakers, actors, critics, and other industry professionals.
MORE FESTIVAL DETAILS
In addition, QFilms will boast several short film programs, including Men in Briefs, Women in Shorts, Queer & Trans Shorts, and the “Finding Home” series featuring three stories of LGBTQ asylum seekers seeking refuge throughout Los Angeles.
The full shorts lineup will be announced within the next two weeks along with the complete festival schedule.
The festival will host a free screening of the cult classic “Mean Girls” on August 10 at Alfredo’s Beach Club.
Here are the feature length films for this year’s festival.
September 7
- “Wild Nights with Emily” — An irreverent comedy about famous poet Emily Dickinson, brought to vivid lesbian life by Molly Shannon.
- “Mapplethorpe” — The story of controversial gay photographer Robert Mapplethorpe is brought to life by Matt Smith (“Dr. Who” and ”The Crown”).
September 8 and 9
- “Mi Mejor Amigo” — Award-winning coming-of-age tale from Argentina
- “Kiss Me!” — A French comedy with a lesbian serial romantic crushing on her new obsession
- “Just Friends” — An off-kilter love story between two young men from very different backgrounds
- “Man Made” — Award-winning documentary on transgender bodybuilders “Transmilitary” — Award-winning documentary about transgender service members who challenged the Pentagon
- “The Heiresses” — Two Paraguayan women from wealthy families who risk it all to be together.
- “Shakedown” — The history of Los Angeles’ African-American lesbian club scene.
- “Every Act of Life” — The life of out Tony Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally.
