For the last 10 days Toronto has been bustling with doc filmmakers for the annual Hot Docs Film Festival. With over 180 films, meetings, seminars, and the forum, there is a lot to take in.
The highlights for me were the charming Italy – Love it or Leave it and the heart wrenching Call Me Kuchu that follows the efforts of the activists of Sexual Minorities Uganda including David Kato. Kuchu won the Teddy at the Berlinale and also picked up the best international feature award here. Congratulations to the filmmakers for their incredible work. It reveals the dreadful way the Ugandan anti-homosexual legislation and LGBT hatred in society in general is fueled in part by religious leaders from the West. If you have a chance to see either of these films – don’t miss it.
One of the most exciting things about the festival was the size of the crowds. Clearly people are hungry for good documentaries and willing to pay to see them…. It leaves me wondering why it is so hard getting broadcasters and distributors to produce and air them? We’ve been fortunate with Beyond Gay but it’s definitely been a lot of work, patience and determination. I hope “the industry” takes notice of what is happening here. Congratulations to the organizers and all the filmmakers, it was a great festival.
That’s a wrap from t-dot. See you at the movies soon.
By b.love
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Posted in news
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Tagged call me kuchu, documentary, equality, film, gay rights, hot docs, italy love it or leave it, LGBT, movie, social justice, Uganda
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Happy Friday the 13th!
We are thrilled that Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride has been included in the program of Quebec City’s first LGBT film festival Vues Parallels. The one day festival is taking place this Saturday April 15th at the Cinelplex at 591 rue St-Vallier Est. We also have a screening coming up at Proctors 2nd Annual Qfest in Schenectady NY on April 26th and in Winnipeg MB on May 31st presented by Winnipeg Pride as part of their 25th year celebrations.
We are also excited to be getting started on our next project, Rocco Dared, another exciting documentary about American LGBT activist and filmmaker Pat Rocco. You’ll be hearing a lot more about this project in the days to come .
See you at the movies real soon!
So as the mercury slowly rises (and here in Vangroovy SLOWLY barely describes it) we are gearing up for a bunch more screenings. CinéPride in Nantes, Frances will go Beyond Gay on May 17th The International Day Against Homophobia. We’ve also lined up a second screening in Norway, this time in Bergen on May 19th. And not to be outdone, our friends at Homochrom in Germany have arranged two screenings, the first on May 30th in Dusseldorf, and a second in Cologne July 1st. It looks like June will have its share of screenings as well, dates to be confirmed but Regina, Seattle and Michigan are all in the works.
Finally we are really excited to partner with Newfest New York city’s LGBT film festival for our New York City premiere and DVD launch, just in time for Pride in the Big Apple. Dates and details to follow so keep your eyes peeled for the updates coming soon.
September 2, 2011 – 11:38 am
Well if you haven’t heard the latest – BC’s third largest Pride festival (after Vancouver and Victoria) takes place on Salt Spring Island from Sept 7th -11th. 
For an island of roughly just 10 thousand residents, that’s an awesome accomplishment and says a lot about the quality of the community there. If nothing else the Gays & Lesbians of Salt Spring Island have a one of the best acronyms I have heard in ages – GLOSSI! And reports are that this is an event not to be missed – and we are pleased and honoured to be screening Beyond Gay on Thurs Sept 8th at the Mistaken Identity Vineyards (164 Norton Rd). Wine & Cheese mingle starts at 7:00 PM. They are hosting me as well as members of the Vancouver Pride Society for a panel discussion about this year’s Pride theme “Out in the World.” Wine, cheese, movies and fierce conversation – I can hardly wait. Sounds like a great way to kick off a Pride weekend, and that’s just the start – other events include a dance on Friday night, plus the Parade and picnic in the park on Saturday. Get all the details here. So looking forward to it and I hope to see you there. See you at the movies! Bob
