24 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | A&E
Utah Film Center presents the 16th Damn These Heels Film Festival
Utah Film Center announced the feature films selected for the 16th annual Damn These Heels Film Festival and new elements to the Festival for film lovers, filmmakers, and all storytellers. Damn These Heels will run July 12–14 at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center and is a festival that explores LGBTQ issues, ideas, and art through independent, documentary, and foreign films from around the world. Passes and tickets are now on sale on the Utah Film Center’s website at UtahFilmCenter.org. Additional titles will be announced on the website leading up to the Festival. The longest-running LGBTQ Film Festival in the Mountain West, Damn These Heels has presented more than 230 films over the years. This popular LGBTQ film festival has been fully embraced and supported by the Salt Lake City community because of its unique and cutting-edge programming. Over the past five years, Utah Film Center has programmed 92 films that did not play anywhere else in Utah but went on to run in larger cities. With festivals like Damn These Heels and other yearround screening programs, Utah Film Center continues to providing access to voices and stories that would otherwise be inaccessible for Utah audiences. Patrick Hubley, Programming Director for Utah Film Center, said, “At the heart of Damn These Heels is both an appreciation for our inclusive community and a powerful expression of individuality. We invite audiences to come share in this meaningful cinematic celebration and explore this year’s lineup of complex, original, and thought-provoking stories that will stay with you long after the film is over.” Damn These Heels remains a grassroots, locally-produced festival. Films are curated with help from a community programming committee and the Festival is supported through community partnerships with Encircle, Equality Utah, Utah AIDS Foundation, Utah Pride Center, and The Blocks, among others.
Qsaltlake.com |
Issue 301 | JUNE 20, 2019
GUEST PROGRAMMER: This year, the film festival introduced a guest programmer to curate select films that have influenced them. This year’s guest programmer is Jordan Blok, a trans non-binary writer based in Salt Lake City who covers popular science, LGBTQ culture, issues, and trans health. They also have a deep, enduring love of lesbian revenge thrillers. New programmers will be chosen annually to showcase the depth and variety of LGBTQ cultural voices in Utah.
WORKSHOP: Join Giuliana Serena, founder and producer of The Bee, for two stimulating sessions of engaged listening and personal reflection inspired by the films at this year’s Festival. Space is limited for this intimate workshop, tickets are available on the Festival website.
An Almost Ordinary Summer (Croce e delizia)
DIRECTED BY SIMONE GODANO 101 MIN | 2019 | ITALY | ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
Two families don’t realize they’re being brought together for a wedding for their respective patriarchs. CAST: FABRIZIO BENTIVOGLIO, ALESSANDRO GASSMANN, JASMINE TRINCA OFFICIAL SELECTION: 2019 SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
VIRTUAL REALITY LOUNGE: Created in collaboration with InterSpatial, the DTH VR Lounge is a new element to the festival that audiences cannot miss. Intended to give festival-goers an opportunity to experience the creative power and storytelling potential of VR, the lounge’s program will feature some of the best LGBTQ+ themed stories that focus on the intersection of faith, identity, and sexuality, created to be experienced through this immersive platform. The lounge located on the Mezzanine level of the Rose Wagner will be open from 1–6 p.m. Space is limited and registration will be required. More details on the VR stories will be available on the Utah Film Center website soon.
Bit
DIRECTED BY BRAD MICHAEL ELMORE 94 MIN | 2019 | USA
Laurel, a teenage transgender girl, moves to LA and falls in with a gang of intersectional feminist vampires. CAST: NICOLE MAINES, M.C. GAINEY, DIANA HOPPER OFFICIAL SELECTION: 2019 FRAMELINE
FILMS AT THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL:
Changing the Game
DIRECTED BY MICHAEL BARNETT 88 MIN | 2019 | USA
Adam
DIRECTED BY RHYS ERNST 95 MIN | 2019 | USA
Missteps of a cis man pretending to be a trans man for the sake of dating. Follow him through queer Brooklyn. CAST: NICHOLAS ALEXANDER, BOBBI SALVÖR MENUEZ, MARGARET QUALLEY OFFICIAL SELECTION: 2019 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
Three trans high school athletes fight for acceptance in their sports while embracing their authentic selves. OFFICIAL SELECTION: 2019 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL, 2019 FRAMELINE
