Pride Month

Film festival, parade & more celebrate LGBTQ community

October is designated as Pride Month in Atlanta, a time to celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. Out on Film, the Atlanta Pride Festival and Queer Youth Fest are all coming up this month.

Out On Film

The film festival is marking its 30th anniversary with the biggest line-up yet: 120 features films, documentaries, short films and web series running from Sept. 28 to Oct. 8. Films will be screened at Landmark’s Midtown Art Cinema, Out Front Theatre Company and the Plaza Theatre. The opening film Michael Patrick McKinley’s “Happy: A Small Film with a Big Heart,” a documentary about artist Leonard “Porkchop” Zimmerman and how he overcame depression and grief. Other highlights include ‘After Louie’ with Alan Cumming and Zachary Booth; Audra McDonald, Martha Plimpton, Cheyenne Jackson, T.R. Knight in all-star musical ‘Hello Again;’ Trudie Styler’s warm ‘Freak Show’ with Bette Midler, Laverne Cox and Abigail Breslin; the Sundance smash ‘God’s Own Country;’ the romantic comedy ‘Signature Move,’ outstanding documentaries ‘The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin,’ ‘Behind the Curtain: Todrick Hall,’ ‘The Fabulous Allan Carr, ‘The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson’ and much more. Director Jeffrey Schwarz will receive second annual Icon Award. “It’s a great line up this year –mainstream to smaller films,” said festival director Jim Farmer. “We really want to celebrate the small, unheralded films. Opening night is an example.” Farmer said the festival was just as vital now as when it began three decades ago. “It’s important for us to showcase work for and by our community and do it in welcoming environment. It’s a safe haven for people to come together and feel welcome.” For the complete schedule, visit outonfilm.org.

Atlanta Pride Festival

The 47th annual festival and parade will be held Oct. 13-15 at Piedmont Park. The music line up is extra stellar this year with Arrested Development, Rita Ora, DeJ Loaf and The Pointer Sisters all featuring on the mainstage. The annual parade from Downtown to the park along Peachtree Street will be held Oct. 15 starting at noon. See the full schedule at alantapride.org.

AIDS Walk

AID Atlanta will host the 27th Annual AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run on Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Piedmont Park. Over the years, the event has grown to be the largest AIDS-related fundraising event in the Southeast and brings together a diverse group of people to support those living with HIV/AIDS, educate others to reduce new infections and remember those who have lost their lives to the disease. To register, visit aidswalkatlanta.com.

Queer Youth Fest

This year’s event will be held Oct. 21 from 2 to 10 p.m. at the Healium Arts Center in Candler Park. The day will feature two live local music stages, three art galleries, a meditation space, interactive art installations and LGBTQ-focused service provider stations. The event aims to showcase local artists and musicians, while providing a queercentric, open minded and educational environment. Search for Queer Youth Fest 2017 on Facebook for more details.