Por FilmOut San Diego

FilmOut’s annual San Diego LGBT Film Festival returns Thursday, June 7 and runs through Sunday, June 10.

The film screenings will be at Observatory North Park, 2981 University Ave. Tickets cost $10–$50 per show, online or at the box office. For more information about each film, visit bit.ly/2kft1II. For post-festival coverage, pick up our next issue of Gay San Diego, out online and on newsstands June 8.

Here is the show schedule for the festival’s 20th year:

jueves, 7 de junio

NOCHE DE ESTRENO

Co-presenters:
CICA, Smirnoff and
Anheuser-Busch

19:00
‘Ideal Home’
(U.S.)
91 minutos
Director: Andrew Fleming
estreno en la costa oeste
The 20th anniversary Opening Night kicks off with Steve Coogan and Paul Rudd in a delightful rom-com with sardonic wit. They co-star as Erasmus and Paul, a bickering gay couple whose life is turned inside out when a 10-year old boy shows up at their door claiming to be Erasmus’ grandson. Neither Paul, nor Erasmus, are ready to give up their extravagant lifestyles to be parents, but maybe this little kid has a thing or two to teach them about the value of family. With Jack Gore, Alison Pill and Jake McDoran.

Con:
‘Turn It Around’
(Netherlands)
9-minute short film
Director: Niels Bourgonje
West Coast Premiere
When 15-year-old Bram meets Florian at a house party, he immediately falls for him. There’s only one problem … nobody knows Bram is gay.

‘Femme’
(U.S.)
17-minute short film
Director: Alden Peters
West Coast Premiere
After being shamed by an online hookup for being too femme, Carson must confront his own notions of masculinity and gender roles within the LGBTQ community.

viernes, 8 de junio

Sponsor: Micky’s
1 p.m.

Co-presenter:
San Diego Latino Film Festival

‘Al Berto’
(Portugal)
109 minutos
Director: Vicente Alves do Ó
West Coast Premiere
It’s the summer of ’75 in Sines, Portugal. Al Berto (Ricardo Teixeira), the writer, embodies an entire moving generation. He and his friends exude youth, eccentricity and hope for the future — but right after the fall of Portugal’s dictatorship system, the country is not yet ready for his love story. With Jose Pimentao, Raquel Rocha Vieira, Jose Leite and Joao Villas-Boas.

DESTACADO INTERNACIONAL
Co-presenters:

Enterprise Rent-A-Car
and Promos RK

15:15
‘Mario’
(Switzerland)
119 minutes
Director: Marcel Gisler
West Coast Premiere
Mario (Max Hubacher) has fallen in love with new team member Leon (Aaron Altaras), who could pose a threat to Mario’s chances of advancing his soccer career. Before long, their relationship is discovered by their team members and rumors begin to spread beyond the locker room. Mario realizes he must make a decision. Does he risk his fame as a soccer star or lose the only man he’s truly loved?

DESTACADO DEL FESTIVAL

5:30 pm
Co-presenters:
RAGE and
Randall & James
‘To A More Perfect Union: U.S. v Windsor’
(U.S.)
63 minutes
Director: Donna Zaccaro
West Coast Premiere
This film tells a story of love, marriage and a fight for equality. The documentary chronicles unlikely heroes — octogenarian Edie Windsor and her attorney, Roberta Kaplan, on their quest for justice. Beyond the story of what became the pivotal case in the marriage equality movement and the compelling personal, legal and political stories behind it, the film also chronicles our continued journey as a people, as a culture, and as citizens with the promise of equal rights.

Con:
‘For a Change’
(Israel)
4-minute short film
Director: Keren Nir
Ofer is a transgender man struggling with his developing body and discovering feminine attributes while searching for self-acceptance.

19:00
Co-presenter:
servicio electrico roberts
‘Golden Boy’
(U.S.)
105 minutes
Director: Stoney Westmoreland
West Coast Premiere
James (Mark Elias) is a man who gambles on the dangers of being seen versus the quiet life of desperation and invisibility. Saved by CQ (Lex Medlin), a wealthy businessman with more going on than meets the eye and introduced to a world he’s not ready to navigate. James chases his dreams — while losing himself, one piece at a time. Trust. Seduction. Betrayal. Redemption. With Logan Fahey, Paul Culos and Kimberly Westbrook.

Con:
‘Night Shift’
(U.S.)
cortometraje de 13 minutos
Director: Chris Phillips
Estreno mundial
After a chance meeting years later, two men reignite an incendiary relationship forged by their mysterious shared past.

9:30 p.m.
Co-presenters: Horrible Imaginings, Cinema Junkie, The Film Geeks SD, and iHorror
‘Devil’s Path’
(U.S.)
86 minutes
Director: Matthew Montgomery
Estreno mundial
This dramatic thriller is Montgomery’s feature directorial debut. Two men (Stephen Twardokus and JD Scalzo) encounter each other on a wooded trail in a dangerous gay cruising park where they find themselves caught up in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. With Steve Callahan.

Con:
‘Fish Tank’
(U.S.)
6-minute short film
Director: Neal Mulani
West Coast Premiere
When a college student goes to his first hook-up with a mysterious older man, he must determine if his anxieties point to a darker truth about his host for the night.

‘Hookup’
(U.S.)
10-minute short film
Director: Stan Madray
West Coast Premiere
Adam is looking for love in all the quick places.

sábado, 9 de junio

Sponsors: SDGLN and SDPIX

BEST OF LGBT SHORTS: VOLUME 1

11 a.m.
Co-presenter: U.S. Bank

Corto 1: ‘Lions in Waiting’
(Canada)
17 minutos
Director: Jason Karman
Ray, the newest hockey team member, fights to have ice-time after being hazed and finds the courage to be comfortable in his own skin.

Corto 2: ‘Marguerite’
(Canada)
19 minutes
Director: Marianna Farley
California Premiere
An elderly lady and her nurse develop a friendship that will push her to dig-up unconfessed desires and passions forcing her to make peace with her past.

Corto 3: ‘The Jealous Sea’
(U.S.)
13 minutos
Director: Reid Waterer
When Carlos discovers pictures of a nude male model taken by his photographer boyfriend, he becomes engulfed in jealousy.

Corto 4: ‘The Quiet Room’
(U.S.)
27 minutes
Director: Sam Wineman
When Michael’s attempt at suicide awakens a psych-ward demon, he must stop her before she kills everyone in the hospital he connects with.

Corto 5: ‘Foxy Trot’
(U.S.)
15 minutos
Director: Lisa Donato
A married lesbian couple take ballroom dance lessons in a heteronormative class.

Corto 6: ‘Beard’
(U.S.)
18 minutes
Director: Christopher Crompton
West Coast Premiere
Gabe forces his best friend Chrissy to masquerade as his fake girlfriend to hide his sexuality from his peers.

Corto 7: ‘Be More Popcorn’
(Italy)
7 minutos
Director: Sara Corbioli
This animated film focuses on the awkward situations of Riley and her friends.

13:15
Co-presented by:
American Institute of Bisexuality
‘Say Yes’
(U.S.)
96 minutes
Director: Stewart Wade
Estreno mundial
A young woman (Leah McKendrick) diagnosed with cancer tries to play matchmaker between her soon-to-be widowed husband (Patrick Zeller) and her bisexual twin brother (Matt Pascua). The conflict/resolve with terminal illness, mortality, compassion and sexual fluidity are all touched upon in this poignant and heartfelt film. With Shari Belafonte, Alberto Manquero, Stefanie Estes and Alexandra Paul.

Con:
‘Morning After’
(Canada)
15-minute short film
Director: Patricia Chica
After a long time abroad, a young man returns home and reunites with friends. A sensual game amongst them forces him to confront deep conflicts within himself that lead to a powerful awakening.

WOMEN’S CENTERPIECE

3:30 p.m.
Co-presented by:
FlawLes and Gossip Grill

‘Wild Nights with Emily’
(U.S.)
84 minutes
Director: Madeleine Olnek
West Coast Premiere
Molly Shannon plays Emily Dickinson in this cleverly witty dramedy. The poet’s persona, popularized since her death, became that of a reclusive spinster — a delicate wallflower, too sensitive for this world. This film explores her vivacious, irreverent side that was covered up for years — most notably Emily’s lifelong romantic relationship with another woman (Susan Ziegler). After Emily died, a rivalry emerged when her brother’s mistress (Amy Seimetz) along with editor T.W. Higginson (Brett Gelman) published a book of her now infamous poems.

Con:
‘Fishy’
(U.S.)
6-minute short film
Director: Joseph Sulsenti
A man stranded in the middle of the ocean is saved in more ways than one by a mystical sea creature.

5:30 pm
Co-presenter:
Woods Real Estate Services
‘The Fabulous Allan Carr’
(U.S.)
90 minutes
Director: Jeffrey Schwarz
Armed with a limitless Rolodex and a Benedict Canyon enclave with its own disco, this documentary shows how Allan Carr threw the Hollywood parties that defined the 1970s. A producer, manager, and marketing genius, Carr built his bombastic reputation amid a series of successes including “Grease” and “La Cage Aux Folles” until it all came crashing down after he produced the notorious debacle of the 1989 Academy Awards. Interviewees include: Patricia Birch, Maxwell Caulfield, Steve Guttenberg, Nikki Haskell, Randy Jones, Randal Kleiser, Sherry Lansing, Lorna Luft, Michael Musto, Robert Osborne, Brett Ratner, Connie Stevens, Alana Stewart, Marlo Thomas and Bruce Vilanch.

Con:
‘The Night Cleaner’
(Canada)
5 minute-short film
Director: Blair Fukumura

MEN’S CENTERPIECE

7:30 pm
Co-presenter: Ascent Real Estate Inc. and Lawyers Title
‘Still Waiting in the Wings’
(U.S.)
109 minutos
Director: Q. Allan Brocka
This film follows the trials and triumphs of actors waiting tables in Times Square. While dreaming of the Broadway stage, the reality of slinging hash under florescent lights mixes sweet aspirations with bitter drama. There’s no people like show people and there’s no telling what can happen when they’re pitted against each other. Nick Adams, Ed Asner, Carole Cook, Lee Meriwether, Patricia Richardson, Chita Rivera, Seth Rudetsky, Sally Struthers, Bruce Vilanch and Cindy Williams round out this heartwarming homage to Broadway with some delightful cameos.

With:
‘Luber’
(U.S.)
10-minute short film
Director: Jeff Sumner
A single, awkward businessman finds himself attracted to his hunky, rideshare driver but must fight for a chance with him when they pick up an annoying passenger who wants the driver for himself.

9:45 p.m.
Co-presented by:
Live Magazine TV and Sycuan

‘M/M’
(Canada/Germany)
81 minutes
Director: Drew Lint
Matthew (Antoine Lahaie) is a young Canadian new to Berlin. He’s come to make a fresh start, but he feels the isolation of living in a strange, new city. When he meets Matthias (Nicolas Maxim Endlicher) he is entranced. Beautiful and charismatic, Matthias is everything Matthew wants to be. Soon Matthew’s interest escalates, becoming an obsession. He begins to transform himself to embody the object of his desire, including cutting his hair and getting new clothes. When Matthias gets into a motorcycle accident, the opportunity is too perfect. Matthew is Matthias. In a coma in the hospital, Matthias’ waking life, dreams and memories blur. Where the real ends, the artificial begins.

domingo, 10 de junio

Sponsors: Gay San Diego and San Diego Uptown News

BEST OF LGBT SHORTS:
VOLUME 2

Co-presenter: Banner Bank

Corto 1: ‘A Stranger To Myself’
(Germany)
12 minutos
Director: Jannik Gensler
U.S. Premiere
A young guy hopes to fill his inner emptiness by having sex with strangers.

Corto 2: ‘A Boy Named Skye’
(U.S.)
5 minutos
Director: Jimmy Elinski
Through the world of online dating, Skye tries to find a relationship. Downhearted by his failed attempts at love, he might find what he’s looking for when he least expects it.

Corto 3: ‘Softcore’
(Canada)
7 minutos
Director: Varun Saranga
West Coast Premiere
Lila and Ashleigh are two bridesmaids who meet and are irrevocably changed through a humorous discussion about love, sexuality and lost relationships.

Corto 4: ‘Meet Up’
(U.S.)
25 minutes
Director: Mark Abramowitz
With the promise of weed and a good time, an emotionally starved gay man decides to give an enigmatic stranger a ride home, completely unaware how the night will unfold.

Corto 5: ‘Spark’
6 minutes
Director: Aharonit Elior
A girl finds someone to spark her flame.

Corto 6: ‘No More We’
(Sweden)
14 minutos
Director: David Färdmar

West Coast Premiere
One morning it’s all over. “There’s No More We,” Hampus says — ice cold — to his fiancé Adrian. For Hampus it’s a total relief to break up from their destructive relationship, for Adrian it’s devastating.

Corto 8: ‘Something About Alex’
(Netherlands)
18 minutes
Director: Reinout Hellenthal
A teenager struggling with his gender attempts to reconcile with his identity.

SAN DIEGO SPOTLIGHT

13:15
Co-presenter: KPBS
‘San Diego’s Gay Bar History’
(U.S.)
56 minutes
Director: Paul Detwiler
Estreno mundial
Since WWII, no less than 135 gay bars have operated in San Diego and provided sanctuary for LGBTQ+ people to discover themselves and form community. These institutions have played an integral role in creating spaces for building friendships and fostering activism, as well as serving as spaces for both grieving and celebration. San Diego’s Gay Bar History examines the roles bars have played across three major time periods: after WWII until the birth of the modern gay rights movement in 1969; during the 1970’s and until the onset of HIV in 1981; during the AIDS epidemic (1981–1995), and beyond. Through archival photographs, historic footage, and interviews with bar owners, bartenders and prominent community members, the documentary provides a glimpse into the rich history of San Diego’s gay history and culture.

Con:
‘Deviant’
(U.S.)
10-minute short film
Director: Benjamín Howard
Local San Diego Filmmaker
In the early ’60s, a sexually conflicted teenager finds faith and acceptance after escaping the tortures of electrotherapeutic conversion therapy.
‘Saltwater Baptism’
(U.S.)
17-minute short film
Directors: Russell Sheaffer & Jared Callahan
Local San Diego Filmmaker
Santiago is one week away from becoming the first college graduate in his family. For Santi, graduation is both an achievement and a relief; his conservative university has lifestyle bylaws, meaning that he has to hide his sexuality for fear of expulsion.

15:15
Co-presenters:
FlawLes and Gossip Grill

‘Freelancers Anonymous’
(U.S.)
81 minutes
Director: Sonia Sebastian
West Coast Premiere
Rushing to get to her pointless job every morning sucks, and Billie (Lisa Cordileone) is not putting up with it anymore. After telling everyone to [expletive] off, she unfortunately has to break the news to her fiancée (Natasha Negovanlis). When she meets a ragtag group of women who are also looking for employment, Billie is struck with the idea of cultivating their skills to create an app, by designing a prototype for an investor launch party. Billie takes the risk of her life, lying to her fiancée in order to buy time until her plan for Freelancers Anonymous can come to fruition. When the wedding and the launch party are booked for the same day, it all comes to a head. With Alexandra Billings, Megan Cavanagh, Grace Rex, Amy Shiels, Haviland Stillwell, Jamison Scala, Jennie McNulty, Cassandra Blair, Jennifer Bartels and Mouzam Makkar.

Con:
‘Gabber Lover’
(France)
cortometraje de 13 minutos
Director: Anna Cazenave Cambet
Laurie and Mila, both 13 years old, dance to Gabber music on the shores of a remote lake. Mila is in love with Laurie and she wants to tell her.

17:15
Co-presenter: Merrill Lynch
‘Every Act of Life’
(U.S.)
90 minutes
Director: Jeff Kaufman
West Coast Premiere
The story of the groundbreaking life and work of four-time Tony-winning playwright Terrence McNally — a personal journey through five decades of the American theatre, the struggle for LGBT rights, triumph over addiction, the power of the arts to shape society … and finding love and inspiration at all ages. At 78 years old, McNally is one of the world’s most renowned, risk-taking playwrights, but he wakes up every day with the spirit of an ambitious and romantic young man. It’s that attitude, mixed with a quiet courage, that makes him one of the best American playwrights. Interviewees include: F. Murray Abraham, Christine Baranski, Zoe Caldwell, Tyne Daly, Edie Falco, John Glover, John Benjamin Hickey, Larry Kramer, Nathan Lane, Angela Lansbury, Joe Mantello, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Rita Moreno, Jack O’Brien, Billy Porter, Chita Rivera, Doris Roberts, Richard Thomas, Stanley Tucci, and Patrick Wilson, plus the voices of Bryan Cranston and Meryl Streep.

Con:
‘Expiration Date’
(U.S.)
5-minute short film
Director: Shwenn Shunya Chang
West Coast Premiere
A poetic story about searching for an unexpired romance, a mélange of sexy fantasy and innocent love.

CLOSING NIGHT FILM AND PARTY

19:00

Co-presented by:
West Coast and
Family Health Centers of San Diego

‘Anything’
(U.S.)
97 minutes
Director: Timothy McNeil
Southern California Exclusive San Diego Premiere
Early Landry (John Carroll Lynch) is a kind and decent man. Grief-stricken over the recent death of his wife, Early moves from Mississippi to Los Angeles and into a run-down Hollywood apartment. He is loved by all his neighbors, especially transsexual neighbor Freda (Matt Bomer). The simplicity of their shared loneliness and growing affection must be reconciled with the complexity of their disparate backgrounds. As non-judgmental as its southern protagonist, the film is a deceptively quiet love story and an all too timely parable on the pressing need to bridge barriers and find common ground. With Maura Tierney.

Con:
‘Mrs. McCutcheon’
(Australia)
17 minutos
Director: John Sheedy
Having always felt he was born in the wrong body, 10-year-old Tom chooses the name Mrs. McCutcheon rather than the name he was given at birth. Now at his third school he is having trouble settling in and finding acceptance with his peers.