15 years of film

FilmOut San Diego’s anniversary festival opens May 29 with bigger, better – and smarter – LGBT films

By Anthony King | SDUN Editor

FilmOut San Diego crosses a milestone this year, celebrating 15 years of film for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community with their anniversary festival scheduled for Wednesday, May 29 to June 2. While many festivals have shrunk or disappeared completely, FilmOut remains an important staple in the San Diego community.

(l to r) Michael J. Willett and Sasha Pieterse in “G.B.F.” The film opens the festival May 29 at the Birch. (Courtesy G.B.F.)

“Sadly, we have seen many LGBT-themed film festivals in the U.S. and beyond struggle,” said FilmOut Festival Director Kaleb James. “Despite the challenges, FilmOut is thriving and we are strong and more solvent than ever in our 15th year.”

James was quick to thank the “excellent leadership, active participation and enthusiastic dedication” of the nonprofit’s board, staff and volunteers, saying the group is deeply determined and devotes time, resources and energy to the organization’s success year round. FilmOut produces monthly screenings of popular general and LGBT films, partnering with local community groups for crossover support.

One of those “deeply determined” FilmOut members is Michael McQuiggan, who has been a part of the organization for 13 of their 15 years. Primarily responsible for FilmOut’s offerings, he has been festival programmer since 2004.

McQuiggan said LGBT movies have changed in three areas: “bigger budgets, better directors and better actors,” though he sees a general shift in all aspects as well.

“It’s actually the whole package,” he said. “Everything has just overall improved.”

For FilmOut, being a staple in the San Diego LGBT community for 15 years has brought an increase in attendance and sponsorship, as well as a way for filmmakers to reach a regular, dedicated audience.

“LGBT-themed film festivals are important … because they give voice to filmmakers who seek to share the challenges, joys, humor and heartaches of our LGBT community with a wider audience,” James said. “In a time when the world is finally beginning to come to the table to speak openly and acceptingly about human equality, these themes couldn’t be more paramount.”

For this year’s festival, FilmOut received over 350 submissions, which McQuiggan and the board had to reduce to 35 films, including 16 features.

“I had to turn away a lot of good films,” he said. To make sure the passed-on selections have an audience, FilmOut is looking to present some at later monthly screenings in 2013.

McQuiggan said those they were able to secure for this year’s festival – the process is greater than pre-screening and includes negotiating with filmmakers and producers, scheduling guest appearances and securing rights – are more intelligent than movies that have screened in the past.

“This year, a theme for me that I’ve noticed is they’re more socially relevant and they’re darker than they have been in the past few years,” he said. “There have always been good LGBT films, but now there are so many.”

One film receiving a lot of buzz, he said, is their opening night film “G.B.F.” about a teenager who is outed by his friends only to become the center of attention for three prom queen candidates. The movie stars Michael J. Willett as Tanner, the newly popular gay teen, and has appearances by Megan Mullally and Jonathan Silverman.

In an interview for San Diego Gay & Lesbian News (SDGLN), the film’s director Darren Stein said it was important to him to make a film with a gay protagonist.

“It was nice to see the universe of the teen genre shift to the place where a gay kid could be the hero. This is his story,” Stein said to SDGLN. “It’s really about making the gay high school experience relatable on a more universal level.”

While reluctant to say which are his personal favorites, McQuiggan said he was particularly excited for the seven showcase films: opening night’s “G.B.F.,” Boys Centerpiece “Love or Whatever,” Audience Spotlight “The Go Doc Project,” Girls Centerpiece “Margarita,” Festival Spotlight “Meth Head,” International Spotlight “Out in the Dark,” and closing night’s “I Am Divine.”

“We’re kicking it up a little bit more than usual,” he said, including more filmmakers and actors in attendance, and opening and closing night parties that he hopes stand apart from what they have been in the past.

“It’s weird, because to me it doesn’t feel any different than any of the other festivals I’ve programmed,” McQuiggan said. “It just happens to be a milestone year.”

All films screen at the Birch North Park Theatre, located at 2891 University Ave. Festival passes start at $99, and $10 individual screening tickets are available online or at the door. Ticket holders for the opening night film will have entrance to the party at Claire de Lune’s Sunset Temple, 3911 Kansas St. in North Park. The closing night party will be held in the lobby of the theater, hosted by West Coast Tavern.

For complete information, including each film’s synopsis and ticket purchase, visit filmoutsandiego.com.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our accomplishment and resiliency as we prepare our 15th anniversary festival,” James said, “which is sure to be our best yet.”