Welcome to the 11th Annual Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival! We never imagined our festival would grow to these proportions when it started in 2000. We have you, our loyal film fans and followers, to thank for supporting us each year.
We work incredibly hard each year to bring you the best LGBT-themed features, short films, and documentaries we can find. You may not realize the months of preparation it takes to pull off an event like this. The selection committee has watched more than 100 films this year and has chosen the ones they feel best represent the spirit and interests of our audience. We hope you enjoy the fruits of the process over the weekend as you attend the festival.
Our committee does all of this on a volunteer basis. We all hold regular jobs, and at times it becomes extremely difficult for us to all be in one place at one time, with our schedules and commitments. We sometimes have different views on what films are good and/or bad, but one thing we do agree on is our passion for film.
One of the goals for 2011 was for the Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival to get involved with more events throughout the year. You always see us at the Indy Pride celebration, and this year we’ve been fortunate enough to be able to co-sponsor some other events. The screening of Mommie Dearest during the IMA’s Summer Nights series was a huge success. We are beyond ecstatic that we are able to co-sponsor film director John Waters’ one-man show at the Madame Walker Theater. We hope you will take the time to check out our website (indylgbtfilmfest.com), or follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/IndianapolisLGBTFilmFestival) and Twitter (twitter.com/indylgbtflmfest) to keep up with what we’re doing. If you’ve got an idea for us, we’d love to hear from you!
The line-up this year is exceptional. We are so excited to be bringing you the charming and moving road trip film Hollywood To Dollywood as our Premiere Night feature this year. Dolly Parton, who has long been a major supporter of the LGBT community, is the focal point of this film starring twins Gary and Larry Lane. When Gary and Larry have difficulty getting a screenplay they’ve written for Dolly to her, they hit the road and travel to Dollywood to hand it to her personally. Their journey is filled with discovery for them as well: family issues, their hopes and dreams, negativity and bigotry they’ve encountered, and their search for tolerance and acceptance. This is a film that most of us can relate to on many different levels.
We’re also very excited to be bringing you several films that have ties to Indiana: Longhorns, a touching and hilarious throwback to the 80’s films we loved growing up, was written and directed by Indiana native David Lewis, and produced by Indianapolis resident Lewis Tice. The comedy/horror film Bite Marks was filmed in the Seymour/North Vernon area of the state and was written and directed by Mark Bessenger who grew up in Indiana and attended Indiana University. Short film On The Seventh Day was written and directed by former Indiana resident Judith G. Levy, who has had many of her projects presented in the Indianapolis area, including right here at the The Indianapolis Museum of Art.
While you are enjoying the film festival this weekend, we’d like you to keep our beneficiary, Indiana Youth Group (IYG) in your hearts and minds. Since 1987, IYG has impacted and supported thousands of young LGBT individuals. A dedicated array of committed board members, staff, and volunteers continue to fulfill IYG’s mission: to provide a safe place, a confidential environment and services which foster self-esteem, resiliency, and positive decision-making skills among self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender young people. IYG advocates on their behalf in schools, on the streets, and in the community. We strongly believe and support their wonderful cause, and hope you do as well.
Also, please don’t forget to support our sponsors. Without them, we could not exist. We cannot thank them enough.
We’d also like you to keep in mind that in order for LGBT films to survive, we must support these films financially. Don’t forget to buy DVD’s, Blu-rays, or stream online LGBT-themed films! Without your support, many films have an extremely difficult time getting made. With the holidays upon us, don’t forget that DVD’s make great gifts! Thank you for coming to the Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival. Enjoy the shows!
