Newsline #4 - 13th Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

NEWSLINES

13th Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
Newsline #4 – July 13h, 2007


WOW…

What a night!!! I don’t know what else to say…
Well, I can tell you? If you’re reading this then you’re probably in the same boat that we’re in… you partied all night and haven’t even made it to bed yet!

We promised a non-stop fresh, flesh & fun-filled opening night and I think we delivered.
If you missed it, you REALLY missed it, but here’s a quick recap to give you an idea of what went on.


WHAT YOU MISSED…

Naked Pixies dancing on platforms, non-stop open bars pouring Pink Vodka and Parrot Bay drinks all night, men ripping their shirts open on the dance floor and so much more…

Last night the Philadelphia Film Society officially opened the doors on this year’s festival and presented the sold out theater with our opening night film A Four Letter Word. Guests were already having a good time but then jumped to their feet to offer a standing ovation as Philadelphia Democratic Mayoral candidate Michael Nutter took the stage and surprised the audience by providing this year's official opening night "Welcome".

Mr. Nutter joked with the audience and provided a few laughs before getting serious for a moment with an important message. He summed up his thoughts about the festival perfectly, stating “Our diversity makes us who we are, our diversity is what makes us Philadelphia!”

Next, before entertaining the fans with a quick Q&A after the film, A Four Letter Word star and co-writer, Jesse Archer, got down and dirty in the lobby of the Prince Music Theater while posing for the media. Jesse was a great sport, spreading himself across the top of the lobby’s grand piano and then laying himself out on the floor to make sure that each and every photographer got exactly what they needed.

Then we all got to the party and things really heated up! DJ Lady Miss Kier spun the sounds as guests and party-goers were greeted by dancing (and in some cases, mostly naked) pixies in leather and fairy wings from our friends at the Fringe Festival, not to mention body-painted performers, hula-hoop specialists, dancers, hors d'ouevres, dinner, dessert and endless complimentary drinks from the sponsoring partners.


WHERE YOU SHOULD BE TODAY

It is Friday, the 13th after all, so naturally we have to have an outrageous horror film on hand… and we do

The Gay Bed & Breakfast of Terror will be screening at 9:30pm at the Arts Bank Theater, and the cast is here to enjoy it with you, so don’t miss out.

If that’s not your style though, here’s a look at the GUESTS THAT WILL BE IN TOWN on today.


WHO’S IN TOWN?

Blueprint, Friday, July 13th, Arts Banks, 5:00pm – Boi Wonda (Director), Damien Lee, Keith Young-Fountain, Trevite Willis (Producer)
Out At The Wedding, Friday, July 13th, Wilma Theater, 7:15pm – Cathy DeBuono, Andrea Marcellus
Shelter, Friday, July 13th, Wilma Theater, 9:30pm – Jonah Markowitz (Director)
The Gay Bed & Breakfast of Terror, Friday, July 13th Arts Bank, 9:30pm – Jaymes Thompson (Writer/Director), Georgia Jean, Michael Soldier


GET THE PARTY STARTED
If you already have today’s movies picked out, then GREAT- but you’re only halfway there. Here’s a look at the after-parties so you know exactly where to head after your screening.

BLUEPRINT AFTER PARTY, 6:30pm-8:30pm at Crescent City 600 South 9th Street.
- If you see the movie, then head right to Crescent City afterwards, to mix and mingle with the cast members, producers and the director.

WEDDING RECEPTION, 9:30pm-2:00am at Sisters 1320 Chancellor Street
- That’s right, from the minute the movie ends until the minute that Sisters closes their doors for the night, you can party at The Wedding Reception. Make a toast with the beautiful stars of the film because they’ll be there too.

HELTER SHELTER SOIREE, 11:00pm-1:30am at Sotto Varalli 231 S. Broad Street
- From the folks that brought you Dante’s Cove, this is your chance to enjoy a little face time with director Jonah Markovich. This is his debut film and your best chance to talk one on one about the entire filmmaking process (over drinks of course).


IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START PLANNING FOR THE WEEKEND…
Tomorrow is one of the biggest day’s of the entire festival with events and screenings going on non-stop and back to back.

First and foremost it’s important to start the day off right, its simply too important not to miss our
SALUTE TO BARBARA GITTINGS – This free event will take place at 12:00 Noon at the Black Box location inside the Prince Music Theater. This will certainly be one of the most important events during the festival as we pay tribute to a legendary gay & civil rights pioneer. A reception will be offered before the Phila Film Society’s donation of $1,000 to the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Barbara Gitting’s collection at the Independence Branch. Followed by the documentary film Gay Pioneers.


Next you won’t want to miss your chance to see young Hollywood hunks Jessie Archer and Charlie David on stage together after the presentation of the Rising Star Award beginning at 2:45pm at the Prince Music Theater.
RISING STAR AWARD presented to CHARLIE DAVID – This is the award that is presented to an up and coming talent in the gay entertainment community and with Charlie appearing in both our opening night and closing night films, he’s the perfect recipient. After the presentation he’ll be joined on stage by co-star Jessie Archer to introduce our second screening of A Four Letter Word.


As the sun begins to set, you’re gonna want to head over to the Wilma Theater to catch an exclusive peak at Another Gay Sequel during our Another Gay Sequel Staged Reading. This event taking place at 7:00pm, will give festival-goers the very first look at the upcoming sequel to last year’s hilarious hit comedy Another Gay Movie. Not only are the fan-favorite cast members returning but they’re bringing new friends with them too, including Entourage’s Rex Lee and Short Bus’ Peter Sickles.

The evening’s fun doesn’t end there though… you’ll need to hustle over to the Prince Music Theater after the reading so that you don’t miss RuPaul's appearance at her screening of Starrbooty. Afterwards she be joining all the audience members at the free after party, aptly titled XXX at XIX beginning at 11:00pm.

Don’t worry, we’ll get you even more details about tomorrow night in our next Newsline. In the meantime, take a nap this morning and then get ready to start the fun all over again. It's gonna be an incredible weekend!


TICKET INFORMATION

To purchase Festival tickets, visit www.phillyfests.com, call 267-765-9700 ext. 4 (10 a.m. – 9 p.m.) or visit any Philadelphia area TLA Video store (11 a.m. – 10 p.m.).


GETTING INVOLVED
In order to put together any festival of this caliber, we rely primarily on the help of volunteers. But, if you don’t feel like volunteering out of the goodness of your heart, do it for the tickets. Volunteer for the film festival = see movies for free!

Ushering is an easy - but ESSENTIAL – volunteer job. You will tear tickets and hand out ballots with a friendly disposition, representing the festival to all of our attendees! Shifts generally begin an hour before the first show of the day and end 1/2 hour after the last show.

Rewards:
In exchange for your time, you will receive a complimentary pass to exchange for a ticket to the film of your choice. Earn double comps on Sundays – Work any shift on Sunday and receive TWO comps for the shift!

Please email your information contact information and scheduling requests to Pari Patel at volunteer@phillyfests.com.


MEMBERSHIP
The Philadelphia Film Festival is produced by the Philadelphia Film Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting outstanding film and video in the greater Philadelphia region. To become a Society member, visit www.phillyfests.com, or call Timothy Ferretti, PFS Interim Membership Coordinator, at 267-765-9700 x.296.


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Since its conception in 2001, the Philadelphia Film Society remains dedicated to the presentation of film and video in the Greater Philadelphia area as a powerful form of artistic expression and a unique force for cultural diversity and international understanding. Founded in 1995, the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival presents a rainbow of GLBT films and video images from around the world.

This year’s festival has been made possible by the generosity and support of the Members of the Philadelphia Film Society and our Presenting Sponsors: Avis, City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce, Pennsylvania Film Office, Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, here! Networks and TLA Entertainment Group; Official Sponsors: Anheuser-Busch, Tylenol-PM, Sundance Channel, Eventions Productions, Scion, Triumph Brewing Company, Twenty21, Penn’s Landing Corporation, Parrot Bay, Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue, Cashman & Associates and University of the Arts; Partner Sponsors: Plumer & Associates, Inc., Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, Modern Eye, Fest In Philly, Crowne Plaza, Sofitel Hotel, B-Side, Mixto, Hoffman Design Group, Haru, Hangar 1, PA Festivals and Premier Tours; Patron Sponsors:Jennifer Angelo Design, Marathon Grill, Sisters, Campus Philly, PhillyCarShare, Lucky Strike Lanes, P.I.N.K., The Restaurant Collection, Caviar Assouline, Vitamin Water, Philadelphia Trolley Works, Neff Associates Inc., Philly Fringe Festival, Vesuvio, Drexel University Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, McCormick & Schmick’s, Allied Advertising, The National Condominium Residences, 12th Street Gym, Whole Foods, FuntasticFotos, Prince Music Theater, Bluecoat, American Apparel and Philly Aids Thrift; and Media Sponsors: Gaydar Magazine, Where Philadelphia, Metro, Philadelphia City Paper, Philly Gay Calendar, HX Philadelphia and Queer Times.