BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID:-//B-Side Presents: Reel Affirmations: The Nation's LGBT Film Fest ival 2008//iCal4j 1.0//EN VERSION:2.0 CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081016T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081016T203000 SUMMARY:Breakfast With Scot DESCRIPTION: Opening Night Film and Party! \n\n\n\n Adapted from the nove l by Michael Downing\, Breakfast with Scot is a must-see comedy for cyni cs and romantics alike! \n\n\n\n Eric (Tom Cavanagh of the hit series ED \, Scrubs\, and Eli Stone) lives for all things hockey\, manly and order ly.  Now in his thirties\, he's managed to turn his stint as an ex- Toro nto Maple Leaf star player into a full-time gig as commentator for sport s TV. But when Eric's boyfriend Sam (Ben Shenkman of Angels in America a nd Law &\; Order) announces that they're to become temporary guardian s of a young boy\, Eric's comfortable world shatters.  Enter Scot - Ben' s recently orphaned\, swishy 11-year-old nephew -- and Eric's mirror opp osite. Freaked out by Scot's 'joie de vivre\,' Eric and Sam gently nudge Scot away from scented hand cream\, frilly socks and all things pink\, towards a more acceptable pastime - hockey.  But after Scot's disastrous first game\, Eric begins to rethink the compromises he's made in his ow n life in order to be 'accepted.' Officially sanctioned by the NHL\, BRE AKFAST WITH SCOT represents the first time a professional sports league has allowed their logo and uniforms to be used in a gay-themed movie. \n \n\n\n Unabashedly romantic and feel-good\, Breakfast with Scot will hav e the audience pulling out their hankies and shouting from the rooftops. \n\n\n\n Awards: \n\n\n\n Nominated: Noah Bernett\; Best Performance i n an International Feature Film \n\n\n\n Don't miss our Reel Affirmation s Opening Night Party at town! \n\n\n\n \nFilm only - $20 \nFilm and Ope ning Night Party - $40\n \n \nSee reviews at:\n \nhttp://movies.nytimes. com/2008/10/10/movies/10scot.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss\n \nhttp://www. latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-et-brief8-2008oct08\,0\,5986956 .story\n \nhttp://www.advocateinsider.com/2008/07/outfest-intervi.html CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/breakfastwithscot_reelaf firmationsseries2008 UID:163265383-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081017T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081017T184300 SUMMARY:The Sensei DESCRIPTION:Free At Five The Sensei The Sensei is an ambitious\, genre-b ending indie feature that touches on AIDS hysteria\, religious intoleran ce\, misogyny\, racism and homophobia - all woven together with plenty o f ass-kicking martial arts. McClain (whose story echoes Matthew Shepar d's) is a high school student ostracized and tormented for being gay. Hi s community is gripped by fear and hate\, and the general consensus is t hat AIDS is a punishment for a sinful\, gay lifestyle. After McClain is severely beaten by classmates\, he forms an unlikely bond with Karen\, a martial arts expert who secretly becomes his sensei and teaches McClain how to defend himself. All assumptions are questioned as the story tw ists through KarenÂ's and McClain's past. And\, perhaps controversially\ , while McClain is explicitly being taught to defend himself\, we get to see the tables turned and violence being fought off with violence. True to the filmÂ's martial arts roots\, questions of honor and the plight o f the defenseless are at the heart of the film and explored from many pe rspectives. The Sensei was written and directed by veteran stunt-actre ss and martial artist D. Lee Inosanto\, who also stars as Karen and who has crafted a story meant to clearly connect the multiple forms of bigot ry that continue to plague our culture. CATEGORIES:Feature Film, Free At Five LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/thesensei_reelaffirmatio nsseries2008 UID:163279872-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081017T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081017T203800 SUMMARY:Choose Connor DESCRIPTION:Perfect for a D.C. audience with its behind the scenes peek a t the political machine\, Choose Connor follows an idealistic\, politica lly minded 15-year-old Owen (Alex D. Linz) who\, after he wonkily grills a politician's transportation plan\, is asked to come aboard Senator La wrence Connor's (Steven Weber of Brothers and Sisters) election team as Youth Campaign Spokesperson. He soon develops a friendship with the sen ator's artistic nephew\, Caleb a self-confident\, physically beautiful o utcast who doesn't attend school\, makes elaborate puppets and has a see mingly unusual relationship with his uncle. Uncertain and willing to pl ease\, Owen soon finds himself in murkier and murkier ethical waters\, a ll while living in a dream world of influencing policy\, hobnobbing with politicos and campaigning for the Senator. Naturally\, Owen promptly d iscovers he is in over his head far more than he expected or wanted\, be coming peripherally aware of some dirty dealings happening just under hi s nose. Delving deeper into the political and personal life of Connor\, he learns about the politician's dangerous tendencies and finds himsel f engaged in the darker side of politics as the film daringly explores m oral and social taboos. Deeply polarizing\, Choose Connor is an astoni shing film - even more so when one learns that the director\, Luke Eberl \, and his team of three co-producers\, were all in their early 20s whil e making the film. Eberl recently won an American Independents Award a t the Philadelphia International Film Festival for Choose Connor\, and h as begun work on his next film. View the Trailer CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/chooseconnor_reelaffirma tionsseries2008 UID:163266389-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081017T213000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081017T230000 SUMMARY:Another Gay Sequel - Gays Gone Wild DESCRIPTION:Hide your sons and fathers - the raunchy crew of Another Gay Movie is back! And this time\, Andy\, Nico\, Jarod and Griff are in sun -drenched Lauderdale\, completing in the Gays Gone Wild contest\, hosted by RuPaul and Lady Bunny. Bouncing between wet-package contests\, qui ckies and slip-and-slide shuffleboard (in one of the funniest audio/visu al gags EVER)\, the boys compete to see who can have the most sex. Of c ourse\, nothing comes easy for our oh-so easy boys\, and there's a bevy of obstacles: giant genital crabs\, distracting golden-shower sequences\ , the bitchy Jaspers\, a lovesick sea nymph\, and a prosletyzing Perez H ilton in a surprisingly key role. What makes a great gay spoof? Lots o f nudity - got it! Cute boys - got it! Sick humor - got it! Visual g ags\, politically incorrect humor and a willingness to shock - yes\, yes \, and yes! Don't miss Todd Stephen's latest full-frontal assault on your senses - you'll laugh all the way to confession. But make sure to check for Perez before you enter! CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/gaysgonewild_reelaffirma tionsseries2008 UID:163269074-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081017T231500 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T010300 SUMMARY:Watch Out DESCRIPTION:Watch Out\, based on the controversial novel of the same nam e by Joseph Suglia\, is the story of Jonathan Barrows\, a man who falls in love with himself\, literally. Secretly and passionately attracted t o his own body\, Barrows carries out an erotic relationship with a blow- up doll that resembles himself\, and takes pleasure in rejecting the adv ances of his many admirers\, both male and female. In one of the movie 's most memorable scene - and frankly Watch Out is a movie consisting al most entirely of memorable scenes - Barrows has sex with a blow-up doll with a photo of himself over the doll's face. Even when he shares a scen e with other people\, it's Barrows' internal monologue that drives the f ilm as he descends into a world of carnivorous priests and Prozac-poppin g Polish prostitutes\, eventually assassinating the world's most popular pop-diva. "You strange creatures\," Barrows declares\, "you are nothing more to Me than a meal at the fast-food restaurant of life." But who wi ll end up being devoured? This guerilla-style film - shot on the fly wi thout permits - stars a bevy of underground scenesters\, including Matt Riddlehoover (the actor/director and MySpace sensation best known for hi s award-winning comedy TO A TEE)\, Peter Stickles (Shortbus) and burlesq ue sensation Lady Monster. Graphic\, sensationalistic and audaciously daring - Watch Out is the perfect late night flick! CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/watchout_reelaffirmation sseries2008 UID:163283491-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T120300 SUMMARY:The Birthday DESCRIPTION: Remarkably\, because the Koran doesn't say anything on the subject\, transsexuality isn't forbidden in Iran and transsexuals don't have to fear prosecution. In fact\, Iran's trans-rights laws are more pr ogressive than many European countries\, including France and the UK. Si nce the 1976 fatwa issued by the Ayatollah Khomeini\, which allows peo ple with hormonal disorders to change sex if they wish\, transsexuals do n't have to fear prosecution and they even can change their birth certif icates. Challenges remain though\, in the traditional\, religious Irani an society\, which sees transsexuality still treated as a disease. In t his searingly beautiful film\, religious beliefs and societal norms are played out as we follow a young man in his process of becoming a woman t hrough a transsexual operation in Iran\, up to and beyond his operation. We meet his boyfriend\, other transsexuals (among them\, a woman beco ming a man)\, the doctors\, a priest and especially his family\, highly devout\, yet determined to allow their son his freedom to choose his gen der. In Farsi with English subtitles AWARDS: Special Jury Prize\; Documenta\, Madrid Showtime Vanguard Award\; Newfest\, NY Special M ention\; DOCS DF (Mexico) Best Human Rights Documentary on Human Right s\; Docusur in Tenerife Jury Prize\, Best Documentary\; Jacksonville F ilm Festival CATEGORIES:Documentary, Trans LOCATION:Goethe-Institut URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/thebirthday_reelaffirmat ionsseries2008 UID:163264258-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T113000 SUMMARY:Family Day at Reel Affirmations DESCRIPTION:Dottie’s Magic Pockets \nBuddy G: My Two Moms and Me \nTomboy \n \nChildren 8 and under free. \nFinally – an afternoon program that reflects the diversity of LGBT families – families just like yours!\nBr ing the kids for a slate of family friendly films with an LGBT focus\, then stay for a fun crafts activity at the Pyramid Atlantic Community Ar t Store. \n\nIn the delightful short film Tomboy\, enjoy the animated adventures of Alex (short for Alejandra)\, a mischievous 9 year old girl who loves to play soccer. \n\n \n\nBased on the book Are You a Boy or a Girl by Karleen Pendleton Jimenez\, Tomboy takes a light-hearted look at the ways in which children learn to love themselves – despite their o bvious differences. \n\n \nBuddy G\, My Two Moms and Me is an animated series about a five-year-old with two moms who loves science and uses a computer strapped to his arms to solve problems. In this episode\, "Lost Rings\," Buddy G and his best friend Owen learn the value of being trut hful while picking up some facts about the science of metal detectors.\n \n\nJoin in for a sparkly session with Dottie's Magic Pockets. When Do ttie's partner Mary leaves to take their son Oliver to his first day of school\, Dottie (the amazing Jen Plante) becomes lonely. Luckily\, Olive r gave his mom enchanted glitter\, which she sprinkles around the house\ , making objects come alive! Their living room is transformed into a wor ld with a colorful cast of puppets (Randal the Beaver\, James the Flower \, Uncanny the Singing Can\, Matilda the Mouse and the singing Couch Cus hions)\, animation and music. A wacky and playful lesbian mom\, Dottie l eads her gaggle of friends as they sing\, dance\, and play the day away! \n \nBuddyG: Margaux Towne-Colley\, US\, 2008 \nTomboy\, Barb Taylor\ , CANADA\, 2007 \nDottie’s Magic Pockets: Tammy Stoner\, US\, 2008 \n \nTotal running time: 68 mins. \n\nShowing at: \nPyramid Atlantic Comm unity Art Store \n924 Ellsworth Drive (near the fountain behind the AFI Silver Theatre!) CATEGORIES:Family, Shorts LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/familydayatreelaffirmati ons_reelaffirmations2008 UID:163286411-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T133000 SUMMARY:Ask Not + SLDN Panel Discussion DESCRIPTION: Ask Not is a rare and compelling exploration of the effects of the US military's "Don't ask\, Don't tell" policy. The film exposes t he tangled political battles that led to the discriminatory law and exam ines the societal shifts that have occurred since its passage in 1993. C urrent and veteran gay soldiers reveal how "don't ask\, don't tell" affe cts them during their tours of duty\, as they struggle to maintain a dou ble life\, uncertain of whom they can trust. The film also explores how gay veterans and youth organizers are turning to forms of personal activ ism to overturn the policy. From a national speaking tour of conservativ e universities to protests at military recruitment offices\, these publi c events question how the U.S. military can claim to represent democracy and freedom while denying one segment of the population the right to se rve. Another part of the film shows young would-be recruits going on a " right to serve" tour to various military offices\, where they attempt to enlist (on camera) but are then rejected when they reveal they are gay or lesbian. Many of the military representatives are kind and sympatheti c to their mission\, but simply have to uphold the law and deny them ent ry. \n\n\n\n Ask Not is made in an honest and forthright manner\, presen ting the facts - with startling statistics to back them up - and hopeful glimpses from other countries (Ireland\, England\, Israel\, etc.) that have lifted their bans on gays in the military with favorable results. \ n\n\n\n A film that should be required watching for every American voter ! \n\n\n\n After the screening\, please join us for a panel discussion\ , led by members of SLDN\, on gays in the military\, the recent congress ional hearings and next steps to repeal Don't Ask\, Don't Tell. \n CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/asknotwsldnpaneldiscussi on_reelaffirmationsseries2008 UID:163262375-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T134000 SUMMARY:Anyone And Everyone DESCRIPTION: In Anyone and Everyone\, parents across the US discuss thei r reaction to learning that a son or daughter is gay. After learning t hat her son Jared was gay\, poet Susan Polis Scultz became determined to find a way to help other parents and their children deal with the resul ting fear and uncertainty that families often experience. Research soon turned up these sobering statistics: Over 25% of children who come out to their parents are forced out of their homes 40% of gay teens attemp t suicide\, compared to approximately 10 percent of their heterosexual p eers More than 90% of gay teens regularly hear anti-LGBT comments at sc hool\; nearly 85% report that faculty or staff never intervene in such i nstances In Anyone and Everyone\, Shutz interviews parents from all wa lks of life as they wrestle with questions of faith\, reactions of other family members\, and the fears of church and community members. These deeply personal reflections create a thread of acceptance and love that ultimately\, many of the families embrace\, leading to wider circles of knowledge and understanding. A must-see film - Anyone and Everyone is b oth heart-wrenching and heartwarming at the same time. CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/anyoneandeveryone_reelaf firmationsseries2008 UID:163261130-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T141000 SUMMARY:Girl Inside DESCRIPTION: Following twenty-six-year-old Madison during a crucial thre e years of her transition from male to female\, heartwarming GIRL INSID E delves well beyond "Trans 101" basics. Sharing the spotlight is Vivie n\, Madison's glamorous 80-year-old grandmother\, who has taken on the j ob of advising her on all things feminine. While Vivien's attempts to s chool Madison in old-fashioned codes of fashion and behavior are often hilarious\, their two vastly different experiences often raise profound issues about the nature of gender\, femininity\, and sexuality. As Madi son finds her own way into becoming a woman\, this beautiful film tracks her emotional\, intellectual and spiritual journey of self-discovery t hat is as important as - if not more than - the physical journey of hor mones and surgery. Accompanying her on her gender metamorphosis is Madi son's rural New Brunswick family who must go through their own transform ation as they struggle to accept that they now have a daughter instead of a son\, a sister instead of a brother. Sometimes funny\, sometimes p ainful\, this sweet coming of age story is both an intimate portrait an d a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be a woman. CATEGORIES:Documentary, Trans LOCATION:Goethe-Institut URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/girlinside_reelaffirmati onsseries2008 UID:163269376-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T143000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T154700 SUMMARY:Sex Positive DESCRIPTION:Who could have guessed that a dynamic\, dom leather hustler w ould\, years later\, be recognized as one of our leading safe sex expert s? At the forefront of the sexual revolution\, New York in the late '70s seemed a mecca for gay men as they reveled in their newfound freedoms. Richard Berkowitz eagerly dove into the frenzy\, quickly discovering (an d cashing in on) his talents as an S&M top. But the era of guiltless ple asure crashed quickly as the AIDS epidemic began. Wild accusations flew in the media and on the streets\, speculation about the disease's cause became contentious\, and the government's refusal to work towards a cure sparked protests and rallies. After contracting the illness himself\, Berkowitz and a tiny group of others came to the inexorable conclusion that gay men's lifestyles were at least partially responsible for their plight. He wrote a book charging that the culture's rampant drug use\, p artying and sexual promiscuity contributed heavily to the disease's spre ad. The backlash was swift: Berkowitz and his supporters were labeled se lf-hating and sex negative. Despite his continued efforts to educate on the necessity of safe sex\, he was mercilessly chastised\, unfairly labe led an anti-pleasure crusader and\, eventually\, all but forgotten. Se x Positive unflinchingly tracks Berkowitz's progression from cocky S&M h ustler to angry activist to broken but proud harbinger of a message too volatile\, scary and true to be heard. Community Partners: HIPS and DC Radical Faeries CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/sexpositive_reelaffirmat ionsseries2008 UID:163280206-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T143000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T160000 SUMMARY:What to Expect when you Expect You Might be Expecting – A Guide t o Gay Parenting DESCRIPTION: \nForget the dim lights and sexy music! For many gay familie s\, the decision to include children is more often clinical than sensual . Sadly\, with a patchwork of anti-gay laws\, an out-of-touch medical pr ofession\, and any number of other obstacles in your way\, becoming a pa rent involves more fine print than leasing a car. After the screening\, join a team of parenting and legal experts from MICHELE ZAVOS LAW GROUP as they answer your questions about adoption\, surrogacy and ways to pro tect your growing family.\n \n\n \n\n \nMommy and Mommy \n \nLinda and M ona\, of Montreal\, are eager to become mothers. They’ve got the house i n the country\, two dogs and they live in Quebec… a province that had al ready legalized both same sex marriage and adoption. \n \nThere’s more t han enough love to go around\, and after all… how hard can it be for two women to have a baby?\n \n\n \nThey make the rounds:fertility clinics\, male friends\, and DIY insemination… to no avail. \n \nTurning to adopt ion\, Linda and Mona realize that while legislation is in place to assis t them\, they’re told to expect a wait of 5 to 10 years\, or perhaps a y ear for married\, heterosexual couples. With door after door slamming i n their face\, the women file a human rights complaint as they begin to explore foster parenting. \n \nDespite the numerous setbacks and red tap e\, all is resolved… seven years later… as they become the proud parents of David and soon after\, his little sister.\n \nMommy Mommy\, Sylvie R osenthal\, CANADA\, 2007\, 42 mins. \n \n\n \nDaddy’s Love (Min stolte f ar)\n \nDaddy's love is director Mette Aakerholm's remarkable debut abou t an extraordinary\, young\, gay man. Kenneth is a single\, 26-year-old from Askim\, Norway who is determined to become a father. Adoption not b eing an option for him in Norway\, he begins a two year process to ident ify a surrogate mother to have his child in the U.S. The film follows Ke nneth and his own mother's journey to Kansas to witness the birth of his son\, Isaiah. Along the way\, we hear from the surrogate mother\, and h er husband\, who offer a heartfelt portrait of the surrogate's experienc e. This film is testament to the rewards of personal courage\, and the p ower of love.\n \n\n \nMette Aakerholm\, NORWAY\, 2007\, 48 mins. \n \n English/Norwegian\n \n\n \nSponsored by Zavos Law Group \n \n\n \nPaneli sts: Emily Russell and Nan Hooven of MICHELE ZAVOS LAW GROUP\, PLLC\n \n \n CATEGORIES:Family LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/whattoexpectwhenyouexpec tyoumightbeexpectingaguidetogayparenting_reelaffirmations2008 UID:163295564-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T161000 SUMMARY:She's A Boy I Knew DESCRIPTION: They say that when someone comes out of the closet\, they ca n't stop talking about it. Vancouver filmmaker Gwen Haworth not only tal ked... she made a movie. \n\n\n\n Using archival family footage\, interv iews\, phone messages\, and animation\, Haworth's documentary She's a Bo y I Knew begins in 2000 with Steven Haworth's decision to come out to hi s family about his life-long female gender identity. \n\n\n\n The result ing tale is not only an exploration into the filmmaker's process of tra nsition from biological male to female\, from Steven to Gwen\, but also an emotionally charged account of the individual experiences\, struggles \, and stakes that her two sisters\, mother\, father\, best friend and w ife brought to Gwen's transition. \n\n\n\n Under Haworth's sensitive ey e\, each stepping stone in the process of transitioning becomes an oppor tunity to explore her community's and our own underlying assumptions abo ut gender and sexuality. \n\n\n\n When Steven starts to wear his wife Ma lgosia's clothing\, she struggles with whether Steve "wants to be with m e or to be me\;" when Steven changes her name to Gwen\, her father comme nts\, that's "when I realized I lost my son\;" Haworth's gender reassign ment surgery forces her sister Kim to grapple with her own experiences i n the medical establishment and raises questions about the implications of the medicalization of gender. \n\n\n\n In these tender and difficult moments\, She's a Boy I Knew forces us to question our own assumptions a bout the role that names\, clothing\, and anatomy play in our constructi ons of gender identity. \n\n\n\n As her transition progresses\, Gwen is forced to reckon with the end of her marriage and the loss of her status as son and brother. But in doing so\, she also discovers that while the nature of personal relationships may change\, the love and support pres ent within those relationships can remain just as powerful and sometimes even more so. \n\n\n\n Awards: \n\n\n\n Audience Award for Documentary - image+nation: Montreal Int'l LGBT Film Festival \n\n\n\n Best of the Festival Audience Award - Kingston's ReelOut9 Queer Film + Video Festiv al \n\n\n\n Runner Up - Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Film Competition - Cleveland International Film Festival \n\n\n\n Community Hero Award - Visual Artist of the Year - Xtra West \n\n\n\n Best Screenwriting in a Documentary - Leo Awards - British Columbia Film &\; Television Award s \n\n\n\n Audience Award for Documentary - Inside Out - Toronto \n\n\n\ n Honourable Mention - Best Canadian Feature-Length Narrative or Documen tary - Inside Out - Toronto \n\n\n\n Audience Award for Best Documentary - Fairy Tales Int'l Gay &\; Lesbian Film Festival - Calgary\n CATEGORIES:Documentary, Trans LOCATION:Goethe-Institut URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/shesaboyiknew_reelaffirm ationsseries2008 UID:163280510-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T181000 SUMMARY:Finding Me DESCRIPTION: Faybien Allen (RayMartell Moore) wakes up every morning ask ing the same question "What am I doing with my life?"\, and it defines e very decision he makes. From the friends he keeps\, his relationship w ith his father and to the men he falls in love with\, Faybien finds that everyone in his life has something to say about his meandering path\, e xcept himself. Defined as much by his homophobic father as his flamboy ant friends\, he careens between self-doubt and pride - mourning the los s of his beloved mother while hopping from club to club with his pals. When he meets a man that proves there is life after "coming out"\, Fayb ien finally allows himself to become vulnerable - an emotion he'd turned his back on after his mother's death. This love reveals to Faybien tha t he is worthy of love\, respect\, and happiness\, and our hero soon fin ds himself heading toward a dramatic conflict between all that he's been taught and all that he's now learning for the first time. Roger Omeus \, Jr. has crafted an instant classic - a film depicting the timeless - and oh so topical - subject of living life as you know you must. CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/findingme_reelaffirmatio nsseries2008 UID:163268737-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T180000 SUMMARY:Dreams Deferred - The Sakia Gunn Film Project DESCRIPTION: FREE AT FIVE - PRESENTED BY SMYAL Sakia Gunn was a young a nd charismatic aggressive whose brutal murder led to public outcry over the lenient sentences imposed on her killers. In this earth-shattering d ocumentary\, the many issues surrounding her death are examined: A brig ht young star at Newark\, NJ's West Side High\, Sakia and a group of fri ends were accosted by two men after an evening in Greenwich Village. Reb uffing the two men's sexual advances\, Sakia was stabbed and died in he r best friend's arms. At her killers' sentencing\, an unbelievably lig ht sentence was given\, prompting cries of outrage in the community. Dep icting the homophobia that allowed such a crime to happen\, and the lack of media coverage the murder of a young Black lesbian\, Dreams Deferred is a sobering look at justice in the 21st century. Despite the tragic tone of the film\, an inspiring sense of hope imbues this story of marg inalized youth finally confronting a justice system that seems heavily s tacked against them. The young filmmaker Chas Brack\, hoping to foster a sense of empowerment in young Black LGBT youth\, has created a film t hat serves as both cautionary tale and a primer on justice for the Afric an American community. After the screening\, please join us for a youth -led panel discussion featuring members of SMYAL\, local GSAs and youth activists. CATEGORIES:Documentary, Free At Five LOCATION:Goethe-Institut URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/dreamsdeferredthesakiagu nnfilmproject_reelaffirmationsseries2008 UID:163267331-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T205600 SUMMARY:Steam DESCRIPTION: Finally! A film with three strong female leads - each delive ring a stunning and nuanced performance of a woman faced with profound c hanges in her life. \n\n\n\n In Steam\, Kate Siegel (The OC) plays Eliz abeth\, a college co-ed who comes of age by breaking free of the strict parental bonds of her church-going father and passive mother. Falling fo r a young activist in her class\, Elizabeth soon finds herself in the mi dst of group-home and parental home antics\, alternately preparing safe sex kits and dreaming up ever more flamboyant excuses for missing church services. \n\n\n\n Finally coming out to her parents\, in a jailhouse s howdown\, our young heroine finally turns the corner into adulthood - wi th all the promise and angst that becoming an adult entails. \n\n\n\n In the meantime\, Ally Sheedy stars as Laurie\, a single mother going thro ugh a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband. At the urging of her be st friend\, she begins dating her son's MUCH younger football coach\, ga ining a new lease on life and learning the true value she brings as moth er\, friend and lover. \n\n\n\n Joining the two women in their steam ro om ritual of introspection is Doris\, a newly-in-love widow played by th e Oscar nomindated Ruby Dee (A Raisin in the Sun\, Do the Right Thing\, Jungle Fever\, and Their Eyes Were Watching God). \n\n\n\n The three wo men\, who bond and find tentative strength in each other's stories\, fin ally flourish - away from the watchful eyes of parents\, children and ex -lovers. \n\n\n\n Join filmmaker Kyle Schickner\, Ally Sheedy\, and Ka te Siegel for a Q&\;A after the film. \n\n\n\n Directly following the Q&\;A\, join us for the Women's Reel Affirmations Kick-off party at Jackie's! CATEGORIES:Women's Feature LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/steam_reelaffirmationsse ries2008 UID:163280929-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T202300 SUMMARY:Three Day Weekend DESCRIPTION:In the tradition of Boys in the Band with a nod to Love\, Val or\, and Compassion\, director Rob Williams's latest film is a sensitiv e and humorous romp about a group of gay mens' unforgettable drama-fille d weekend. Long-term couple Simon and Jason\, along with "daddy-ish" C ooper and his boy du jour\, meet annually for a 3-day weekend away from their hectic city lives. Looking to spice up this long-standing traditio n they add a special twist to this year's retreat - each of them must in vite one attractive single friend to their mountain getaway. Arriving are a frisky former college roommate\, a constantly naked yoga instruct or\, Simon's uptight co-worker\, and a high priced rent boy\, all of who m do indeed stir up the weekend. But this combination of new and old fri ends offers more tension than anyone anticipated. By the end of 72 hours and after multiple sexual couplings have transpired\, a new relationshi ps will form while others are thrown to shaky ground. With the popular L ong-Term Relationship and Back Soon under his directorial belt\, Rob Wil liams continues to show that he can deliver honest dialogue\, appealing actors and enough drama to faithfully please his devoted fan base while encouraging a new group of supporters to enjoy the show! CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/threedayweekend_reelaffi rmationsseries2008 UID:163281563-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T195500 SUMMARY:Voodoo Woman DESCRIPTION:While making a documentary on the Cuban rituals behind Santer ia\, filmmaker Carolina Valencia uncovered Filmmaker Carolina Valencia \, was at work on a project featuring Cuban rituals behind the Afro-Cari bbean religion of Santeria when her entire world was rocked by the simpl e utterance of a Santeria priest: You have the wrong gender. Given this impetus to undertake a long coveted gender transition\, the film soon b ecomes a powerful journey for the filmmaker and her Santeria priest. Bor n into a life of extreme privilege was no salve\, as she learned through a lifetime spent lying to herself. Told with fierce honesty and dry h umour\, Valencia weaves threads of realism and mysticism in order to add ress complicated issues of identity and faith. The film's unseen energy is a testament to the filmmaker's talents\, honed through years as a vis ual artist and designer. Valencia combines memory\, time and identity in a poetic and rhythmic composition that reflects both the creative pro cess and her personal quest to be true to herself. View the Trailer CATEGORIES:Documentary, Trans LOCATION:Goethe-Institut URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/voodoowoman_reelaffirmat ionsseries2008 UID:163283263-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T210000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T223300 SUMMARY:Boystown DESCRIPTION:Boystown (Chuecatown) In this free-wheeling comedy of gentri fication and social class\, Victor (Pablo Puyol) is a suave realtor who 'll stop at nothing to re-make the seedy Chueca neighborhood into an exc lusive province of upscale boutiques\, minimalist flats\, and gym-toned muscle. His only obstacle: the elderly widows residing in the area's sta tely old apartments. When a rash of elderly women are found dead in th eir apartments\, police are stumped\, and suspicion soon falls on two wo rking-class men\, the lovable\, driver's ed instructor (and marital wand erer) Leo and his under-employed boyfriend Rey. Bickering and squabblin g their way through life\, the two soon inherit one of the coveted apart ments from a just murdered neighbor. Enter Antonia (Concha Velasco in a deliciously evil role) as she takes over the apartment at the urging o f Leo\, and soon undertakes a campaign to get rid of her son's boyfriend . In classic Spanish farce mode\, everyone has sex with each other at decidedly inopportune times\, there's a lot of inspired mayhem\, anguish and mistaken identity and you find yourself laughing out loud at the ma chinations of both Victor and Antonia as they each do their best to ensu re the ruin of our bumbling couple. Add a cranky detective (Rosa Maria Sarda) and her reluctant partner/son who HATES detective work\, but LOV ES the new neighborhood\, and you have a comedy full of laugh-out-loud m oments\, camp humor and a surprisingly tender theme. CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/boystown_reelaffirmation sseries2008 UID:163264629-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T210000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T223000 SUMMARY:Wrangler: Anatomy Of An Icon DESCRIPTION: From the dawn of the sexual revolution comes the outrageous true story of 1970s gay porn icon Jack Wrangler\, who became a major bra nd name in adult entertainment and hero to the newly liberated gay popul ation. \n\n\n\n Jack Stillman grew up in Beverly Hills\, a child of priv ilege with a hankering for show biz. \n\n\n\n When show business succe ss eluded him\, he turned to go-go dancing in the burgeoning gay communi ty of West Hollywood. \n\n\n\n Wrangler became a sensation\, doing nude modeling and appearing on the cover of the first issue of Mandate. He s oon made his first X-rated appearance\, and almost overnight a star was born. A cavalcade of movie roles followed - sailors\, cowboys\, and cons truction workers - Jack Wrangler played them all. \n\n\n\n In the 1970s\ , gay men trying to overcome the stigma of homosexuality saw in Jack a n ew butch role model. \n\n\n\n Not content to be a big fish in a small p ond\, he decided to cross over into the more lucrative straight porn wor ld and became an even bigger success\, even losing his hetero virginity on-screen in one of his first straight roles. \n\n\n\n While in New Yor k doing a live one-man show\, Jack met legendary vocalist Margaret Whiti ng\, and much to their surprise\, they fell head over heels for each oth er. To the bemusement of their friends and Jack's still loyal fans\, th e couple has remained together for 30 years. \n\n\n\n .Jack Wrangler's s tory is one of self-invention and determination\, and although he has go ne on to an accomplished career in legitimate theater\, he knows he will always be Jack Wrangler\, former porn star. CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:Goethe-Institut URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/wrangleranatomyofanicon_ reelaffirmationsseries2008 UID:163284638-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081018T233000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T014100 SUMMARY:Zombie Double Feature DESCRIPTION:Zombie Double Feature!\n \nOtto\, or Up With Dead People w/ Z ombie Prom \n \nOtto\, or Up With Dead People features a newly zombified young thing – teetering into the world of the undead on still unsteady feet. Otto\, played with gothic glee by Jay Crisfar\, wanders the street s of Berlin\, briefly recalling snippets of his pre-zombie life. (At one point\, compelled to eat the entrails of a small animal and finding it somewhat of an acquired taste\, he wonders if he was a vegan in a former life). Otto eventually finds work as\, well.. a zombie… on THE epic pol itical-porno-zombie movie to end all political-porno-zombie movies. Ridi culed for remaining in character\, Otto remains consumed by the memory of his ex-boyfriend. He tracks him down\, with predictably disastrous r esults\, but not before remembering the love they once shared. Aaaawww… \n \nOtto features all the LaBruce flourishes we love so well – sexy boy s being naughty\, bursting politically correct bubbles left and right\, and a cinematic style that is at once both breathtakingly daring and sly ly low-rent. \n \nBruce LaBruce\, GER\, 2008\, 95 mins.\n \n\n \nZombie Prom\n \nWhile Otto is a subversive look at European mores and politics\ , Zombie Prom is as all-American as apple pie and comic books. Apple pie dipped in radioactive waste\, that is. \n \nGood-girl Toffee and Jonny- with-no-H are in love\, but she dumps him at the insistence of principa l Miss Strict (RuPaul). Devastated\, Jonny jumps into a nuclear cooling tower\, only to emerge a still handsome atomic waste-ridden TEENAGE ZOMB IE! He returns in hopes of still escorting Toffee to the prom\, but the whole town is thrown into turmoil at this radioactive hunk in their mids t. The media is called in\, adding to the furor and hysteria behind the Zombie Civil Rights struggle. Will Jonny win back Toffee? And what of t he shared past between Miss Strict and sleazo-o TV personality Eddie Fla grante? It all comes to a boiling head amidst some rousing dance numbers \, state-of-the-art comic book animation and a not-so-veiled look at the lives of gay teenagers today. \n \nVince Marcello\, US\, 2006\, 36 mins . \n \nAwards: Best Musical Score\, FAIF International Film Festival\n \ nOutstanding Achievement in Film Music\, Park City Film Music Festival\n \n\n \nPreceded by Brian the Gnome Slayer by Brian Tosko Bello\n \n\n \ n\n CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/zombiedoublefeature_reel affirmations2008 UID:163290478-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T115600 SUMMARY:In Sickness And In Health DESCRIPTION:"In typical marriage vows\, 'til death do us part' is the phr ase that follows 'in sickness and in heath.' But to many gay and lesbian Americans\, saying these words and enjoying their subsequent benefits a re not an option. A few brave residents of New Jersey took up this iss ue in their state and brought same-sex marriage to the forefront as a ci vil rights issue. At the heart of this moving documentary are Diane Mari ni and Marilyn Maneely who\, along with six other couples and the Lambda Legal Fund\, filed a lawsuit against the state of New Jersey\, seeking the right to marry their life partners. Marilyn was afflicted with Lou G ehrig's disease (ALS) and\, when she passed away\, Diane (her registered partner of 14 years) was not allowed to sign the death certificate. I N SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH fiercely delivers a clear and simple message th at gay and lesbian people are not second-class citizens and should not b e treated as such. With a tender touch\, director Pilar Prassas delicate ly balances tragedy and triumph in the ongoing fight for the ability to marry the ones we love. CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/insicknessandinhealth_re elaffirmationsseries2008 UID:163269775-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T111100 SUMMARY:Lust For Life DESCRIPTION:"Want" sexualizes a queer "femmegimp\," (the director herself \, Loree Erickson) as a response to a world that often treats those with disabilities as second-class citizens who are certainly not sexual bein gs. Through graphic\, but never gratuitous sex\, Erickson shows herself as a fully-realized woman who not only engages in sex\, but enjoys it. Featuring a complex\, all-encompassing look at two young gay men\, both with physical disabilities\, living in Romania\, Chip & Ovi presents a tender\, plaintive look into the lives of an orphaned couple dealing wit h both the struggles of their relationship and of poverty. Each with his own compelling circumstance and interests\, Chip & Ovi offers the audie nce the spectacular realization of just what unspectacular minutiae Chip and Ovi must bravely face\, without complaint\, on a daily basis. \nWa nt \nLoree Erickson\, CANADA\, 2006\, 9 min. \n \nChip & Ovi \nPanagioti s Evangelidis\, GREECE\, 2007\, 45 mins. In Romanian with English subt itles. CATEGORIES:Shorts, Women's Shorts LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/lustforlife_reelaffirmat ionsseries2008 UID:163274321-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T115200 SUMMARY:Quest For The Missing Piece DESCRIPTION: Circumcision is the most common medical procedure in the wo rld-performed on one-fifth of the global male population. But is it a le gitimate cultural tradition or an unnecessary mutilation? As a 30-yea r-old gay Jewish Israeli man happily partnered with a German Christian\, director Oden Lotan feels that a piece of his own identity might be mis sing as a result of his being circumcised as a baby. In The Quest for th e Missing Piece\, he explores his sense of identity and community by loo king at the custom of circumcision (brith) in the Jewish tradition as we ll as in other cultures. He also discusses the modern-day decisions to c ut or not to cut by friends and family members\, many of whom feel that it's important to help protect their children from standing apart as dif ferent from their peers-a viewpoint that parallels the director's own is sues of acceptance and tolerance as a gay man. Hebrew\, German (Englis h subtitles) Sponsored by: Sixth and I Synagogue and DCJCC View the T railer CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:Sixth and I Synagogue URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/questforthemissingpiece_ reelaffirmationsseries2008 UID:163277892-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T143400 SUMMARY:Women's Filmmakers' Brunch DESCRIPTION:$35 includes Brunch at Alero and a screening of The World Uns een\n\n \nHeat up your Sunday with a sizzling party at Alero with visiti ng filmmakers and hundreds of women from the DC area! Featuring luscious food and libations from the Alero kitchen\, the Women Filmmakers Brunch has grown into a destination event not to be missed!\n \nEvery year\, w e try to shake things up a bit– and this year we’ve added a live DJ to k eep it exciting! Stay tuned to reelgoesround.blogspot.com to see who o ur DJ is\, and don’t forget – buy tickets early. This event sells out ev ery year!\n \n\n \nAfter the film\, check out the sultry The World Unsee n – a steamy film based on Shamin Sarif’s novel of the same name. \n \nI n the pressure cooker of apartheid South Africa\, two women meet and the ir worlds are turned upside down. Miriam is a traditional Indian mother - hardworking and self-effacing\, and struggling to regain the passion s he once felt. Free-spirited Amina breaks all the rules by driving a taxi and setting up a cafe with a local black man. In the face of outraged d isapproval\, their friendship flourishes\, and soon turns into a relatio nship that neither can turn her back on. But the price\, for Miriam\, is the discovery of impossible truths about her marriage. In a system that divides white from black\, black from Asian and the women from men\, wh at chance is there for an unexpected love to survive? \n \n\n \n\n \nWin ner:\n \nAudience Award\, Best Film\, Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festiva l\n \nCopper Award\, Best Director/World Cinema\, Phoenix Film Festival\ n \nRosebud Award\, Best Flm\, Verzaubet Int’l. Gay and Lesbian Film Fes tival \n \n\n \nShamin Sarif\, SOUTH AFRICA\, 2007\, 94 mins.\n CATEGORIES:Women's Feature LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/womensfilmmakersbrunch_r eelaffirmations2008 UID:163296639-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T130200 SUMMARY:Fairytale Of Kathmandu DESCRIPTION: What begins as an homage to a celebrated local Irish poet t akes a dark turn when the director uncovers suspicions regarding the poe t's support of teenage boys in Nepal. Director Neasa Ni Chianáin accom panies openly gay poet Cathal Ó Searcaigh on one of his annual spiritual journeys to Nepal\, where he provides financial support to a community of young Nepalese men and boys. Welcomed into their inner circle\, the y oung men\, treat him like a member of their family. The film provides a unique glimpse into the lives of the young Nepali men and their familie s and demonstrates how the poet has created an extended family and secon d home in the country. During the course of filming the documentary\, however\, the director begins to suspect that all is not what is seems a nd eventually feels compelled to confront the poet about allegations tha t his relationships with some of the young men may be inappropriate. The powerful discussion and confrontation are captured on film as the direc tor unexpectedly becomes a critical part of her own documentary. Englis h\, Gaelic\, Nepalese (English subtitles) 60 minutes Preceded by: Escr ito Filmmaker Monica Enriquez poetically describes her identity as a le sbian immigrant living in the US. ...a controversial and brave documen tary..."Fairytale of Kathmandu" is a film you will want to see\, for a w ider variety of reasons than with almost any other documentary. Seattle Film Festival Review For years\, Cathal Ó Searcaigh's trips to Nepal ha ve attracted bemused praise and\nadmiration. People love the idea of an eccentric poet traveling from his\nhillside cottage in Donegal to the Fa r East on journeys...in the end\, the portrait of him that emerges is of a lonely man...bewildered\, as ever\, by the\nrules and mores of civil society and the ways in which they inhibit him. Sunday Independent CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/fairytaleofkathmandu_ree laffirmationsseries2008 UID:163268644-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T142100 SUMMARY:Pursuit Of Equality DESCRIPTION: San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom touched off a political fir estorm in 2004\, when he began issuing same-sex marriage licenses. To th e world\, watching in rapt fascination as thousands of couples began lin ing up on the steps of City Hall\, this seemed like a quick eruption of emotion - the spontaneous action of a city determined to do right by its citizens. \n\n\n\n However\, behind the scenes\, Newsom and his staff h ad been quietly laying the groundwork for that exact moment - a moment t ouched off when he handed the first marriage certificate to Del Martin a nd Phyliss Lyon\, two long-time activists in the close-knit San Francisc o LGBT community. \n\n\n\n Filmmaker Geoff Callan was able to capture e very riveting moment leading up to and beyond the morning of February 14 . After all\, he'd been clued in a bit earlier - over a family brunch wi th the Mayor\, who happens to be his brother-in-law. After joking that " I'm about to ruin my political career"\, Newsom invited Callan to come i n and film the unfolding events - while specifically asking him "not to sugarcoat anything". \n\n\n\n The resulting film is riveting in its port rayal of a Mayor\, his staff and a select few members of the LGBT commun ity as they quietly flew under the radar to enact legislation affording same-sex couples the right to marry\, igniting the most controversial ci vil rights topic in recent history.  \n\n\n\n The story continues on th e streets\, in the courtrooms\, and on the steps of City Hall\, where sa me-sex couples\, finally validated on the happiest day of their lives\, clash with church groups who declare that who they are and how they love is a sin. \n\n\n\n In life changing moments\, this film focuses on the compelling\, human rights struggles surrounding same-sex marriage and c aptures the elation and despair of couples and families who are fighting for equal rights. \n\n\n\n Audience Award for Best Documentary: \n\n\n\ n San Francisco International Film Festival \n\n\n\n San Luis Obispo Fil m Festival \n\n\n\n Melbourne Queer Film Festival \n\n\n\n Sonoma Valle y Film Festival \n\n\n\n Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival \n\n\n\n Best of the Fest Award \n\n\n\n Palm Spring International Film Festival \n\n\n\ n Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival\n CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:Sixth and I Synagogue URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/pursuitofequality_reelaf firmationsseries2008 UID:163277201-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T133000 SUMMARY:The World Unseen DESCRIPTION:In the pressure cooker of apartheid South Africa\, two women meet and their worlds are turned upside down. Miriam is a traditional In dian mother - hardworking and self-effacing\, and struggling to regain t he passion she once felt. Free-spirited Amina breaks all the rules by dr iving a taxi and setting up a cafe with a local black man. In the face o f outraged disapproval\, their friendship flourishes\, and soon turns in to a relationship that neither can turn her back on. But the price\, for Miriam\, is the discovery of impossible truths about her marriage. In a system that divides white from black\, black from Asian and the women f rom men\, what chance is there for an unexpected love to survive? \n \n\ n \n\n \nWinner:\n \nAudience Award\, Best Film\, Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival\n \nCopper Award\, Best Director/World Cinema\, Phoenix Fi lm Festival\n \nRosebud Award\, Best Flm\, Verzaubet Int’l. Gay and Lesb ian Film Festival \n \n\n \nShamin Sarif\, SOUTH AFRICA\, 2007\, 94 mins .\n CATEGORIES:Women's Feature LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/theworldunseen_reelaffir mations2008 UID:163294237-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T144500 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T161500 SUMMARY:Making A Difference With Documentary DESCRIPTION: From luminaries such as Michael Moore to Al Gore. Niche film distributors like Women Make Movies and Third World Newsreel. YouTube. \n\n\n\n Our lives\, and the lives of far-away people and communities w e'll never meet\, are being documented at a greater rate than at any poi nt in our history. In the rapidly evolving technology and media landscap e\, documentary film's use as a creative and powerful tool for change is growing. \n\n\n\n Join us for a riveting presentation on documentary fi lmmaking's role in the movement for fairness and equality with nationall y recognized media relations expert Cathy Renna\; longtime LGBT organize r and advocate Jaime Grant of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Po licy Institute\; expert on the radical right Kitty Kolbert of People for the American Way\; and local documentary filmmakers Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer. Hamer and Wilson's work-in-progress\, OUT IN THE SILENCE\, chron icles an exhilarating journey through love\, hate and understanding in J oe's small hometown as Oil City\, PA's residents grapple with the firest orm of controversy over the publication of Wison and Hamer's wedding ann ouncement in the local paper. \n\n\n\n Wilson and Hamer's previous film s have won numerous awards including winner of the PBS Independent Lens Online Shorts Festival and the Videomaker Magazine National Documentary Challenge. Their films have been screened in New York\, San Francisco\, Los Angeles\, Philadelphia\, Miami\, Atlanta\, Honolulu\, London\, Barce lona\, Lisbon\, Cape Town and Melbourne\, and are being used as tools fo r education and social action by community groups\, schools and universi ties around the county and around the world.\n CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/makingadifferencewithdoc umentary_reelaffirmationsseries2008 UID:163274608-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T162400 SUMMARY:The Kinsey Sicks: Almost Infamous DESCRIPTION: Come backstage with THE KINSEY SICKS\, the spellbinding drag -apella performance troupe\, for the ride of your life! \n\n As the film begins\, all is going well for our sparkly divas. But then opportunity intrudes and when the group is offered a high-visibility\, open-ended ru n in Las Vegas\, the feathers begin to fly. Wary of Vegas to begin with\ , the members of THE KINSEY SICKS leave their homes and loved ones to tr y to make a go of it in the Big Time. \n\n But is Las Vegas ready for TH E KINSEY SICKS's brand of edgy\, raunchy and ruthlessly honest material? Are THE KINSEY SICKS ready for Las Vegas's relentless drive to the mid dle? \n\n Almost Infamous is a bawdy\, raunchy romp\, following THE KINS EY SICKS to opening night\, even as Sin City takes its toll on the group 's relationships\, artistic freedom and sanity. \n\n\n\n Incorporating c oncert footage\, archival material dating back to the first KINSEY SICKS performance in 1994\, behind-the-scenes footage on the road and "confes sion cam" interviews\, ALMOST INFAMOUS serves up humor and drama in equa l doses. We see the members of THE KINSEY SICKS at their funniest and at their lowest - yet always determined to give the audience the show of a lifetime! \n\n\n\n Formed in San Francisco\, THE KINSEY SICKS have spen t 15 years bringing gloriousharmonies\, scathing wit\, raunchy behavior\ , and over-the-top drag to spectators across the US and internationally. Their credits include a critically acclaimed Off-Broadway show at NewYo rk's Studio 54\, numerous cross country tours\, and headliner appearance s at the Montreal"Just for Laughs" Comedy Festival. CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:Sixth and I Synagogue URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/thekinseysicksalmostinfa mous_reelaffirmationsseries2008 UID:163272344-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T163000 SUMMARY:Mulligans DESCRIPTION: Like the American classic\, The Graduate - secrecy\, betraya l\, and a painful coming of age face a family in Mulligans\, the stunnin gly mature feature film debut by director Chip Hale. \n\n\n\n When Ty ler Davidson brings his college buddy Chase home for the summer holidays \, Chase is taken in by the seemingly perfect family: Nathan\, the hands ome patriarch who golfs with his son and clearly dotes on his young daug hter\; and mom Stacey (played by Queer as Folk's Thea Gill)\, his sharp- witted and compassionate wife. \n\n\n\n Yet\, over the course of the sum mer in their spacious summer home\, a secret is revealed that threatens to tear this perfect family apart. \n\n\n\n Chase\, who has yet to com e out to his best friend\, fits in with the assorted family friends - Ty ler's girlfriend and childhood friends\, often found partying as they qu ickly approach adulthood. \n\n\n\n The family-focused idyll soon rubs on Chase\, and he struggles to keep his attraction to Tyler's father under control. But Chase isn't the only one with a wandering eye… \n\n\n\n Na than also struggles to resist his feelings for his son's best friend whi le safeguarding his life-long secret to protect his family. What would you do if the one thing you wanted could ruin your life? \n\n\n\n With a stunning ending that flies in the face of our notions of a traditional finale\, Mulligans is an emotional tour-de-force portrayal of a family\ , and one man especially\, trying to keep it together despite the mounti ng pressure. \n\n\n\n Winner \n\n\n\n Audience Award\; Best Film: Ft. W orth Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival \n\n\n\n Q Award\; Best Gay Film: Ft. Worth Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/mulligans_reelaffirmatio nsseries2008 UID:163275592-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T181400 SUMMARY:The Lost Coast DESCRIPTION: Dreamlike and sensually shot\, The Lost Coast is a love lett er to first love\, youth\, and the romantic allure of finally becoming a n adult. \n\n\n\n Twentysomethings Jasper\, Mark and Lily have been fri ends since high school\, when Mark and Jasper fooled around but never ca lled it a relationship. Mark\, now openly gay and reveling in his sexua l allure\, and Lily\, still close\, also dated in high school\, and the three share a bond of shared experiences and awkward attempts to break away from their youthful past. Jasper\, while obviously still touched b y his feelings for Mark\, is now engaged and the film unfolds through a series of emails he sends his fiancée describing the evening. \n\n\n\n I nsert a relatively new-to-the-trio prankster in the guise of Caleb and y ou have a slow fuse toward revelation. \n\n\n\n Told almost entirely thr ough Jasper's point of view\, The Lost Coast is a strikingly internal fi lm - the events that unfold are less important than the emotional reacti on they evoke. The group wanders San Francisco on Halloween night\, cost umed and restless\, in search of drugs\, adventure\, and sex. Bouncing f rom the Mission to the Castro\, through Golden Gate Park and the Sunset District\, and finally to the beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean\, thei r travels are merely a way for Jasper and Mark to wrestle with their fee lings for each other under the watchful eyes of Lily and Caleb. \n\n\n \n One of the most arresting films of the festival\, The Lost Coast is a calling card for greatness. Gabriel Fleming\, who is quickly making his name as a filmmaker and editor\, displays a Scorcese-like feel for dram atic tension\, and infuses what could be a listless quest for meaning in to a heart-rending epic of longing. \n\n\n\n Awards: Jury Award\, Best Feature: New Fest \n\n\n\n Competition: SXSW and Queer Lion\, Venice Fil m Festival\n CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:Sixth and I Synagogue URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/thelostcoast_reelaffirma tionsseries2008 UID:163273873-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T184800 SUMMARY:Saturn In Opposition DESCRIPTION:Saturno Contro In contemporary Rome\, a group of 30- and 40- something friends has formed an open family that gathers around the kitc hen table of committed partners Lorenzo &\; Davide\, a successful aut hor\, for gourmet meals full of gossip\, friendly jibes and the tender w eight of long-term friendships. Glamorous\, wealthy and at the height o f their careers\, the group includes Davide's ex Sergio (Ennio Fantastic hini)\; Antonio (Stefano Accorsi) and Angelica (Margherita Buy) a marrie d couple with kids\; drug addict Roberta (Ambra Angiolini)\; bitter Neva l (Serra Yilmaz) and her policeman husband (Filippo Timi). When their beloved Davide has a heart attack at the table\, the group takes turns waiting outside his hospital room\, and the little secrets and tensions among them begin to magnify and undermine their relationships. Grappling with infidelity\, melancholy\, resentment and grief\, the group's stabi lity and intimacy seems threatened as long-dormant feelings resurface an d new insecurities see the light of day. The emotional turmoil hidden u nder genuine feelings of love and comraderie adds a layer of humanity to this beautiful film\, where all the characters seemingly stepped out of Italian Vogue. Awards: David di Donatella Award\, Best Supporting Act ress Ambra Angiolini Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists: Be st Actress Margherita Buy Best Screenplay\, Ferzan Ozpetek and Gianni R omoli CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/saturninopposition_reela ffirmationsseries2008 UID:163278658-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T184500 SUMMARY:When Kiran Met Karen DESCRIPTION: Bollywood actress Kiran is on the verge of becoming an inte rnational movie star -- that is\, until she meets sexy magazine journali st Karen and they find themselves swept up in a torrid affair. Bold an d engaging\, this Sapphic love story is set in New York City\, where bea utiful Bollywood starlet Kiran (Chriselle Almeida) suddenly stops a pres s conference for her latest film because of incriminating questions. She rushes outside and hunts for a cab\, finding one already occupied by th e sultry Karen (Kelli Holsopple)\, a novice journalist who convinces Kir an to ride with her. She also sweet-talks the sensitive star into giving her an exclusive interview for the magazine she works for. Confused but intrigued by this alluring woman\, Kiran invites her home -- where she resides with her music mogul fiancé -- to spend the evening chatting. Sp arks immediately fly and the duo throws caution to the wind\, unable to prevent their torrid affair. They share an intense passion\, but is this a one-night stand\, or does Kiran have the courage to follow her heart? Not many directors have attempted to break out of Bollywood\, but Manan Katohara bravely pushes borders and isn't afraid to bring lesbianism to light in Indian culture. The film also features the music of talented a rtists Deadbeat Darling and Katherine Almeida. Blurb by: Kelly Burkhar dt CATEGORIES:Women's Feature LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/whenkiranmetkaren_reelaf firmationsseries2008 UID:163284206-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T203000 SUMMARY:The Secrets DESCRIPTION:Ha-Sodot Naomi is a brilliant young woman who begs to be all owed to attend religious school in order to avoid a marriage. Michelle\, rebellious and fun-loving\, has been sent to the school by her French p arents in the hope that she will become more devout\, or at least stay o ut of serious trouble. Unlikely friends\, the pair soon bond\, but ano ther woman threatens to tear the friendship apart. Anouk\, an ailing old er woman with a dark and troubled past\, is seeking redemption\, but rej ected by the religious community's powers that be. In an act of compassi on\, Michelle volunteers Naomi\, whose scholarship and depth of knowledg e are unassailable\, to find kabbalistic texts that will cleanse Anouk's soul. Naomi is initially horrified by Michelle's commitment\, but intel lectual curiosity and her own burgeoning empathy spur her on. As the fri ends learn more about this enigmatic woman\, they break more rules to as sist her\, finally accepting that they will risk their futures to free h er from her past. In the meantime\, Naomi and Michelle embark on an adv enture of their own - falling in love and finally deciding to act upon t heir feelings for each other. A loving and tender relationship ensues\, but familial and religious pressure soon mounts on the girls and they mu st decide whether their feelings\, or their families\, will prevail. F rench & Hebrew with English subtitles CATEGORIES:Women's Feature LOCATION:Sixth and I Synagogue URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/thesecrets_reelaffirmati onsseries2008 UID:163279614-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T210500 SUMMARY:Pageant DESCRIPTION: Who's the fiercest drag queen of all? Pageant follows 50 co ntestants competing for the crown in the Miss Gay America Pageant\, an a nnual search for the nation's top female impersonator. This fun-spirit ed documentary covers the entire pageant\, including performances in eve ning gown and talent competitions and on-stage interviews. Contestants\, who may not have had any cosmetic surgery below the neck and must be fe male-hormone free\, also are interviewed by the judges out of drag. The film focuses in-depth on five contestants-including both amateur and pro fessional female impersonators-aspiring to fulfill their dreams of glamo ur and recognition\, including interviews with their families and friend s. With more drama than the Miss America\, Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants combined\, this is one of the most moving films of the festival - not to be missed!. In attendance will be two of the contestants feat ured in the film - but we can't tell you who! Join us\, and our special guests\, for a Pageant Party at Quarry House directly after the film. Pageant: Awards: Audience Award\, Best Documentary Florida Int'l. Film Festival Jury Award\, Best Documentary\, Honolulu Rainbow Film Festiva l Audience Award\, Best Feature\, NewFest Audience Award\, Best Docume ntary\, Frameline International LGBT Film Festival Sponsored by: Miss Gay DC America and Crocker Productions Quarry House is located at 8401 Georgia Ave\, just two blocks behind AFI Silver. CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/pageant_reelaffirmations series2008 UID:163276314-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T210000 SUMMARY:Times Have Been Better DESCRIPTION: In this delightful French comedy\, Jeremy excels at everythi ng. He's only 30 but has just been promoted to an executive position at the bank. In his parents' eyes\, he's the golden child - successful\, handsome and sure to provide the grandchildren his mother craves so much . \n\n\n\n The praise heaped on Jeremy is a bit much for his younger br other\, Robin\, who has been the only one in the family privy to Jeremy' s sexual predilections. \n\n\n\n But when Jeremy unexpectedly stops by for Sunday brunch one day and announces that he's just moved in with\, well\, his boyfriend\, things begin to percolate. Jeremy's parents alway s fancied themselves as progressive and liberal. After this little piec e of news: not so much. Mom and Dad accuse one another of knowing their son's secret and never having shared that knowledge. They embark on wh at becomes a comical quest to find out what caused Jeremy's homosexualit y. Jeremy's mom\, Rosine\, seeks the advice of her jaded - yet charming - gay co-worker. \n\n\n\n Jeremy's dad\, Guy\, looks to his tennis bud dies for answers\, finds few\, and promptly takes up smoking. At first delighted to no longer be the black sheep of the family\, Robin experien ces unexpected\, new drama as both parents take out their frustrations o n him\, their only offspring still living at home and under their contro l. How can this lovely family ever come together again in peace? \n\n\ n\n Times Have Been Better stars Charlotte de Turckheim (who has worked with everyone from Gerard Depardieu to Merchant and Ivory) as the deligh tfully befuddled Rosine\, and Bernard le Coq\, the Ce'sar winning actor most recently seen in Cache by Michael Haneke. CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/timeshavebeenbetter_reel affirmationsseries2008 UID:163282240-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T210000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T224800 SUMMARY:Antarctica DESCRIPTION: Follow the lives of a group of young people living in Tel Av iv in this upbeat comedy of contemporary frolicking. Tagged as "the fir st Israeli queer romantic sexy comedy" Antarctica is a genre-blending ro mp through the foibles and follies of gay siblings Shirley and Omer. Ome r is approaching his thirtieth birthday\, yet still dreamily immersing h imself in books at the local library\, and half-heartedly trying to find himself - and the man of his dreams. A series of disastrous blind dates hasn't exactly helped\, but Omer continues on his quest. \n\n\n\n Shir ley is a little younger\, a lot more harried\, and has already nabbed he r dream woman\, Michal\, owner of the hippest café in town (and Shirley' s boss). But the thought of settling down scares Shirley\, who wonders i f she's ready to give up her long-held plan of traveling to Antarctica. As the siblings sort through their feelings and prepare for adulthood\, friends and relatives chime in with their advice and problems of their o wn. Directed in the style of Robert Altman\, Antarctica features a quick ly shifting cast of characters including buttoned up businessman by day and sex maniac by night Boaz\, the shy Danny\, and Miki\, Omer's slutty friend. Throw in a journalist\, an author (and alleged alien abductee) a nd you have the makings of one very bold and daring movie! \n\n This mas terfully directed gem commands your attention from the first hyper-sexua lly-charged frame to the audacious finale - always challenging the viewe r and never wavering into contrivance or formulaic storytelling. CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:Sixth and I Synagogue URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/antarctica_reelaffirmati onsseries2008 UID:163260509-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T211500 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081019T214500 SUMMARY:Best of the Fest DESCRIPTION:Come thrill to the best shorts – from all over the world – th at our programming committee could find!\n\n \n\n\nBabysitting Andy \nW hat is fellatio? A precocious 9-year old is determined to get answers fr om her babysitters – a gay couple not exactly prepared to answer the que stion. \nDir. Pat Mills\, CANADA\, 2007 11 mins. \n \n\nKristy \nYoung Kristy is determined to solve the irritating problem of her mother repl acing her worn\, but favorite\, shirt in favor of skirts. \nDir: Marc ia Ong\, USA\, 2007\, English\, 7min.\n\n \n\nCafé com Leite \nTwentyso methings Marcos and Danilo are happily planning a romantic vacation and their imminent cohabitation when unexpected events drive Lucas into Dani lo’s bed. Can their relationship and plans survive tragedy\, warm milk a nd sudden parenthood? \nDir: Daniel Ribeiro\, BRAZIL\, 2007\, 18 mins. \ n\n \n\nCongratulations\, Daisy Graham \nAfter teaching many generation s of children in her beloved small town\, 70 year old Daisy is slated fo r a lifetime award. Amidst the glory\, though\, all that concerns her i s her own recent diagnosis\, and her partner’s longstanding medical stru ggles. \nDir: Cassandra Nicolaou\, Canada\, 2007\, English\, 15min.\n\n \n\nCowboy Forever \nA Brazilian cowboy’s story of life\, friendship\, and finding yourself. \nJean Baptiste Erreca\, \, FRANCE\, 2006\, 26 m ins. \n\n \n\nNo Bikini \nDarn wardrobe malfunctions! At seven years ol d\, Robin decides to go without her bikini top at a summer camp – with s urprising results! \n Dir: Claudia Morgado Escanilla\, Canada\, 2007\, English\, 9min.\n\n \n\nLook Again \nIn love and determined to stay tog ether\, a young couple struggles with sudden work visa issues. Visits t o attorneys may not be the best answer\, though. \nAnd which partner is really in danger? \nDir: Jennifer Lin\, USA\, 2007\, English\, 7min.\n\ n \n\nF to M \nIn F to M\, a delightful mini doc about transitioning fr om female to male in the 60’s in France\, we see the truth of transition ing. \nDir. Sarah Claudon\, France\, 2006\, English subtitles\, 8min.\n\ n \n\nA Marriage Like No Other \nA bickering couple is engrossed in the ir own\, seemingly vital argument\, until they find their neighbors’ lif e much more entertaining than their own. \nDir. Anne De Lean\, Canada\, 2007\, English\, 5 min. CATEGORIES:Men's Shorts, Shorts, Women's Shorts LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/bestofthefest_reelaffirm ations2008 UID:163284778-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081020T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081020T203000 SUMMARY:Lokas (Canceled) - Breakfast with Scot will show in place DESCRIPTION:Due to unforeseen circumstances (as sometimes happens in film festivals) the screening of Lokas has been canceled. We regret this inc onvenience\, but are very pleased to inform you that we will be presenti ng in its place our Opening Night film "Breakfast with Scot". It is not very common that we screen a film more than once at Reel Affirmations\, so if you missed this one last Thursday\, make sure to see it on Monday! \n\n\n Adapted from the novel by Michael Downing\, Breakfast with Scot i s a must-see comedy for cynics and romantics alike! \n\n Eric (Tom Cavan agh of the hit series ED\, Scrubs\, and Eli Stone) lives for all things hockey\, manly and orderly. Now in his thirties\, he's managed to turn his stint as an ex- Toronto Maple Leaf star player into a full-time gig as commentator for sports TV. But when Eric's boyfriend Sam (Ben Shenkma n of Angels in America and Law &\; Order) announces that they're to b ecome temporary guardians of a young boy\, Eric's comfortable world shat ters. Enter Scot - Ben's recently orphaned\, swishy 11-year-old nephew -- and Eric's mirror opposite. Freaked out by Scot's 'joie de vivre\,' E ric and Sam gently nudge Scot away from scented hand cream\, frilly sock s and all things pink\, towards a more acceptable pastime - hockey. But after Scot's disastrous first game\, Eric begins to rethink the comprom ises he's made in his own life in order to be 'accepted.' Officially san ctioned by the NHL\, BREAKFAST WITH SCOT represents the first time a pro fessional sports league has allowed their logo and uniforms to be used i n a gay-themed movie. \n\n Unabashedly romantic and feel-good\, Breakfas t with Scot will have the audience pulling out their hankies and shoutin g from the rooftops. \n\n Awards: \n\n Nominated: Noah Bernett\; Best P erformance in an International Feature Film \n\n \nFilm only - $20 \nFil m and Opening Night Party - $40\n \n \nSee reviews at:\n \nhttp://movies .nytimes.com/2008/10/10/movies/10scot.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss\n \nht tp://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-et-brief8-2008oct08\,0 \,5986956.story\n \nhttp://www.advocateinsider.com/2008/07/outfest-inter vi.html CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/lokas_reelaffirmationsse ries2008 UID:163272932-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081020T210000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081020T224300 SUMMARY:Eleven Minutes DESCRIPTION: Follow the crazy\, yearlong journey of gay Project Runway w inner Jay McCarroll (Season 1) as he prepares his first independent runw ay show for New York's Fashion Week - in a bid to sell his his clothing line. Told in verité style\, Eleven Minutes exposes us not only to the b itchy (and sometimes tender) inner workings of the fashion industry and McCarroll's love/hate relationship with it\, but to the creative process that must withstand the weighty concerns of money\, image\, and PR. In his real-world bid for fashion fame and fortune\, the charismatic McCarr oll needs to prove himself more than a boob-tube character\, particularl y in a tough industry notoriously resistant to outsiders. With little mo ney\, endless expenditures\, no business experience and a motley crew of talented friends\, McCarroll manages to cobble together a collection fo r his moment in the spotlight\, retaining his sense of humor as numerous actual and potential disasters parade by. The result is a painfully raw and humorous exploration of the fashion business and the constant confl ict of balancing commerce with art\, fame with talent\, and reality-TV w ith actual reality. CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/elevenminutes_reelaffirm ationsseries2008 UID:163268216-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081021T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081021T203000 SUMMARY:Sugar Rush DESCRIPTION: Also seen as part of our Free at Five series on Wednesday\, Oct. 22nd at Sixth and I Synagogue \n\n Sugar Rush is the kind of heady \, full-of-issues in a not-full-of-issues kind of way show that makes yo u both fondly recall the agonies of adolescence and thank the lucky star s that you're finally past all of that nonsense. \n\n\n\n Based on a nov el by Julie Burchill (an early NME writer most widely known for her publ ic battle with Camille Paglia)\, Sugar Rush is the story of Kim Daniels\ , a young lesbian forced to move from her posh boarding school in London to the seaside town of Brighton\, where she promptly falls in love with her new best friend\, the delightfully naughty Sugar. \n\n\n\n The two girls drink\, shop and gossip their way into a series of misadventures - all while attempting to make the most of an adolescence determined to b e cut short by philandering parents\, nerdy young brothers\, bothersome boys (in Kim's case) and unsavory boyfriends (Sugar). \n\n\n\n Througho ut the season\, Kim and Sugar develop an even deeper bond\, despite Kim' s not so secret desire to tumble into bed with Sugar. There's something for everyone in this sexy comedy! \n\n\n\n The critically acclaimed seri es\, which aired on BBC in 2005 and 2006\, faced widespread support thro ughout Britain after rumors began that it was cancelled in favor of a po pular reality TV show. Citing its landmark portrayal of young lesbians\ , protesters staged a massive campaign to keep the show afloat. \n\n\n \n Lauded for its beautiful production values and realistic portrayal of British youth\, Sugar Rush won an international Emmy as best youth seri es in Britain. CATEGORIES:Free At Five, Women's Feature LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/sugarrush_reelaffirmatio nsseries2008 UID:163281281-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081021T210000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081021T223700 SUMMARY:Between Love And Goodbye DESCRIPTION:Love makes the world go round. At least that's what Marcel an d Kyle believe\, until they suddenly discover that love can alternativel y flip the world upside-down. When certain elements are set into motion\ , they tend to stay in motion. Marcel and Kyle are deply in love - it was love at first sight\, and even though they can't legally marry\, the y vow to find a way to make it work. Enter Sarah\, their cute lesbian fr iend\, who offer to marry Marcel so that he can stay in the USA with Kyl e. Both of them are young and ambitious\, and they are confident that to gether\, they can overcome any obstacle\, hurdle any barrier - including the appearance of Kyle's bad-news sister\, April. A former prostitute w ho refuses to label herself sexually\, April soon sets her steely eye on Marcel\, determined to break apart the two lovers. April methodically drips poison into their happiness\, all under the blind eye of her lovin g brother\, who only sees a sister in need of guidance. A career mandat ed move to the West Coast separates the two young lovers\, and they soon fall headlong into possessiveness\, jealousy and rage\; trapped in the tangled emotions found in that space between love and goodbye. Just how far will one of them go to put a stop to the madness? Watch the Traile r CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/betweenloveandgoodbye_re elaffirmationsseries2008 UID:163263292-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081022T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081022T183000 SUMMARY:Sugar Rush DESCRIPTION: Also seen as part of our Free at Five series on Wednesday\, Oct. 22nd at Sixth and I Synagogue \n\n Sugar Rush is the kind of heady \, full-of-issues in a not-full-of-issues kind of way show that makes yo u both fondly recall the agonies of adolescence and thank the lucky star s that you're finally past all of that nonsense. \n\n\n\n Based on a nov el by Julie Burchill (an early NME writer most widely known for her publ ic battle with Camille Paglia)\, Sugar Rush is the story of Kim Daniels\ , a young lesbian forced to move from her posh boarding school in London to the seaside town of Brighton\, where she promptly falls in love with her new best friend\, the delightfully naughty Sugar. \n\n\n\n The two girls drink\, shop and gossip their way into a series of misadventures - all while attempting to make the most of an adolescence determined to b e cut short by philandering parents\, nerdy young brothers\, bothersome boys (in Kim's case) and unsavory boyfriends (Sugar). \n\n\n\n Througho ut the season\, Kim and Sugar develop an even deeper bond\, despite Kim' s not so secret desire to tumble into bed with Sugar. There's something for everyone in this sexy comedy! \n\n\n\n The critically acclaimed seri es\, which aired on BBC in 2005 and 2006\, faced widespread support thro ughout Britain after rumors began that it was cancelled in favor of a po pular reality TV show. Citing its landmark portrayal of young lesbians\ , protesters staged a massive campaign to keep the show afloat. \n\n\n \n Lauded for its beautiful production values and realistic portrayal of British youth\, Sugar Rush won an international Emmy as best youth seri es in Britain. CATEGORIES:Free At Five, Women's Feature LOCATION:Sixth and I Synagogue URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/sugarrush_reelaffirmatio nsseries2008 UID:163281365-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081022T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081022T191600 SUMMARY:Half-Life DESCRIPTION: A recent American indie film gem\, the wholly original and s ubtly humorous HALF-LIFE focuses on a Northern California community stru ggling to adapt as global chaos looms. Cynical 19-year-old Pam is fixate d on her best friend - cute nerd Scott\, a gay Korean adoptee who can't resist throwing his sexuality in the faces of his fundamentalist parents . Pam's brother Timothy keenly observes his surroundings\, and with some special powers\, might be able to alter everybody's reality. \n\n\n\n Maintaining a largely child's-eye perspective on the sexual\, religious and ethnic rifts stirred up in a California suburb\, this emotionally po tent film evinces the sort of imagination that\, Phang argues\, is neces sary for human survival in the world as we know it. \n\n\n\n Filled wit h gorgeously animated flights of animation\, which are the drawings of 8 -year-old Timothy (winning newcomer Alexander Agate)\; they offer the bo y a respite from the difficulties of life with his mother\, Saura (Julia Nickson)\, and older sister\, Pam (Sanoe Lake)\, in California's Diablo Valley. \n\n\n\n Abandoned by her husband\, Saura has since taken up w ith Wendell\, a much younger hunk with a misleadingly friendly demeanor. Saura treats Wendell as her refuge while growing increasingly sullen an d temperamental with her children\, particularly Pam\, a glum teen who s uffers from a lack of direction. \n\n\n\n Along similar lines\, Pam's f riend Scott falls for black schoolteacher Jonah\, much to the dismay of his parents. \n\n\n\n An Asian "American Beauty" set against a backdrop of global decay and illuminated by splashes of "Waking Life" - style an imation. Nickson and Lake are both prickly\, sympathetic and entirely co nvincing as a mother and daughter whose relationship stiffens and thaws through multiple complex stages. Variety\n CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/halflife_reelaffirmation sseries2008 UID:163269689-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081022T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081022T193000 SUMMARY:Funny Girl Wednesday DESCRIPTION:Fagette\n \nThe self-proclaimed gender-deviant\, spoken word/ hip hop extravaganza known as The Athens Boys Choir presents an energeti c\, queer music video.\n \nDir: Ali Cotterill\, USA\, 2008\, English\, 4 min\n \n\n \nMembers Only\n \nNew to Philadelphia\, Amy seems to have lo st her sex appeal. A local power lesbian helps her turn things around. \ n \nDir: Carolina Roca-Smith\, USA\, 2008\, English\, 10min\n \n\n \nPop py’s Foursome\n \nThe notorious lesbian comedienne Poppy Champlain goes on a hilarious room by room search for her perfect foursome\, trying to bring GOLF back to Dinah.\n \nDir: Ren Blood\, USA\, 2007\, English\, 20 min\n \n\n \nS/He (Ta) \n \nA young Asian girl struggles between expecte d gender roles and her boyish inclinations.\n \nDir: Gina Pei Chi Chen\, Canada/Taiwan\, 2007\, English subtitles\, 12min\n \n\n \nTomboy \n \nI n this delightful animated film\, a young Latina-Canadian tomboy named A lex tries to endure peer mocking as she eschews dolls for science projec ts. \n \nDirs: Barb Taylor\, Wendy Parkin\, Canada\, 2008\, English\, 13 min\n \n\n \nThe Vicious and the Delicious\n \nA hilarious soap opera sp oof of the scandals\, catfights\, affairs\, flamboyant fashions and stor y twists of the powerful Cassamentos.\n \nDir. Tonnette Stanford\, Austr alia\, 2008\, English\, 12min\n \n\n \nWorst Case Scenario: Butch Editio n\n \nMary Guzman ends some questions surrounding butch etiquette in thi s pithy how-to.\n \nDir: Mary Guzman\, USA\, 2007\, English\, 7min\n \n\ n \nCasting Pearls\n \nCalpernia Addams\, transsexual author\, and star of Logo’s Transamerican Love Story\, journeys on a hectic series of audi tions illustrating casting difficulties facing trans-women in Hollywood. \n \nDir: Andrea James\, USA\, 2007\, English\, 7min \n \n \n \nCrafty\ n \nAn earnest activist looking for signatures for a gay marriage petiti on happens upon a crafts woman who initially rejects the petition\, but may sign up to change teams.\n \nDir: Erik Gernand\, USA\, 2008\, Englis h\, 9min \n \n\n \nBerated Woman\n \nAn Orthodox Jewish woman falls for her homeowner-rules-enforcing WASP neighbor in a funny look at what is i mportant: a lifelong religion or love.\n \nDir: Anya Meksin\, USA\, 200 8\, English\, 14min\n \n\n \nLet’s Roll\n \nA lesbian couple attempts to go on vacation\, but like many of us keep forgetting to pack stuff. W ill they break up before they get on the road?\n \nDir: Kat-I\, USA\, 20 07\, English\, 5min\n CATEGORIES:Shorts, Women's Shorts LOCATION:Sixth and I Synagogue URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/funnygirlwednesday_reela ffirmations2008 UID:163288108-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081022T210000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081022T221700 SUMMARY:U People DESCRIPTION:Interweaving historical 8mm footage of African American Brook lyn house parties\, the film celebrates the cultural legacy of the "firs t Black family [home] on the block." Where Make a Move marks a major con tribution to queer folks of color on TV\, this behind-the-scenes experie nce further dismantles the blanket categorization and ignorance inherent in the phrase\, "you people." Students of diversity and multiculturalis m get a lesson on the phrase "you got your own back\," as complex identi ties fly in the face of stereotypical groupings. At the same time\, unwa vering values around family cohesion\, parenting and eldercare portray s urvival practices in a not-so-kind-and-gentle world\, where community is intentional. The beautiful people in U People disrupt and call into q uestion a society obsessed and distressed by labels while celebrating co mmonalities when debate occurs in "safe spaces." Featuring gay and strai ght women and gender non-conformists from Louisiana to New York\, U Peop le is a refreshing\, deep look at sisterhood and allies\, as participant s candidly express spiritual wisdom and self-determination. - ELSA E'DER CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:Sixth and I Synagogue URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/upeople_reelaffirmations series2008 UID:163282925-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081022T213000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081022T220000 SUMMARY:Fabulosity DESCRIPTION:Delight in this cluster of sexy\, funny men’s shorts! \nFab ulosity \nA conservative couple learn what to expect after they discover that their son will be born with “fabulousity.” \nDon Newcomb\, US\, 20 07\, 5 mins \n \nDolls \nAn unexpected find\, while preparing for a yard sale\, forces a mother to come to terms with her teenage son’s sexualit y. \nRandy Casperson\, US\, 2008\, 10 mins. \n \nRomeo’s Kiss \nAs if t here isn’t enough drama in the drama class already! When Juliet leaves t he room\, rehearsal continues with a male stand-in\, and Romeo’s kisses become much more passionate. \nJulien Eger\, FRANCE\, 2007\, 12 mins \n \nSomething Like That \nBoy meets girl. Girl takes boy to club. Boy meet s boy. Boy takes girl to grocery store. Touching Brazilian tale about lights\, laughter\, and lust. Or could it be love? \nEsmir Filho\, BRAZI L\, 2006\, 15 mins. \n \nNeurotica \nPicture this: you are standing alo ne in a club and everyone is looking at you. Are you sexy? Is your hai r standing on end? Or are you just gay?! \nNick Wauters\, US\, 2007\, 1 4 mins. \n \nHerzhaft \nNo matter how often the story makes the headlin es.. some people never learn. A coach and his underage player are having a passionate affair \, one that everyone knows won't end well. \nMartin Busker\, GERMANY\, 2007\, 15 mins. \n\n\n \n\n\nSweat \nTo prove to hi s boyfriend that he’s open minded\, Simon heads to a London bathhouse w here he finds two potential replacements. Can either one give him what h e came for? \nJohn Lochland\, UK\, 2007\, 15 mins. \n \nJust \nAfter mee ting for a casual hook-up\, two men learn more about each other and\, in a moment of vulnerability\, share their views on fidelity and monogamy in the modern world. \nDavid Maurice\, US\, 2007\, 12 mins. \n \nMirro r Mirror \nAre you the fairest of them all? He used to think so. Now w ho are you without him? \nJohn Winter\, AUSTRALIA\, 2007\, 10 mins. \n \nThe Red Dress \nA wily woman escapes suspicious dress shop clerks and breaks into a church morgue in a heroic attempt to honor Lily’s true ide ntity and final request. Her efforts and eulogy pay tribute to a friend who knew herself more than most. \nBarney Cheng\, US\, 2008\, 7 mins. CATEGORIES:Men's Shorts, Shorts LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/fabulosity_reelaffirmati ons2008 UID:163287455-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081023T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081023T183100 SUMMARY:Ready? Ok! DESCRIPTION:Free At Five \nAs a harried single mother in Normal Heights\ , USA\, Andrea is having a tough time of it. Although her son Joshua is a smart\, happy and enthusiastic ten-year-old\, she worries that he's on the wrong track. With each summons to the Mother Superior's office at J oshua's private school\, Andrea searches for answers to a nagging proble m: How can she convince him that aspiring to be on the cheerleading squa d\, relishing the art of the French braid and calling Maria von Trapp hi s most influential role model is just not what little boys do? When you wish for a son on the wrestling team\, how do you deal with one who love s fashion\, dolls and pyramid formations? In this quirky and touching take on the modern family\, one woman must strip away all her illusions to seek a kind of peace with herself and her son. Some hard advice from her gay next-door neighbor Charlie (played by Michael Emerson\, everyone 's favorite villain from "Lost") helps Andrea turn her focus in the righ t direction: inward. Embracing Joshua's individuality rather than fearin g it might be the only answer\, but can she do it? With comically trut hful performances and a healthy dash of wacky farce\, Ready? OK! explore s a family on the verge of either destruction or elevation. Sometimes al l it takes to figure things out is a deep breath and the perfect cheer. CATEGORIES:Feature Film, Free At Five LOCATION:Sixth and I Synagogue URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/readyok_reelaffirmations series2008 UID:163278144-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081023T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081023T202400 SUMMARY:Pansy Division: Life In A Gay Rock Band DESCRIPTION: Undeniably one of the most important and influential gay mus ic acts in the last twenty years\, Pansy Division has long been viewed a s pioneers of the "queercore" movement. \n\n\n\n Inspired by the brash a ntics of ACT UP and Queer Nation\, Joe Ginoli approached Chris Freeman w ith a ready-made concept and a list of songs he'd already been performin g. Eschewing early 90s examples of gay rock music (think Melissa Etherid ge and Rob Halford\, who were both closeted at the time)\, the duo becam e a staple of the San Francisco underground music scene with a set list of raucous and raunchy tunes like "James Bondage\," "Rachbottomoff\," "F em in a Black Leather Jacket" and "Bill &\; Ted's Homosexual Adventur e." \n\n\n\n An instant hit on the national indie rock scene\, Pansy Div ision carved out a niche for themselves that went well beyond strictly g ay audiences\; Lookout labelmates Green Day\, soon to take the world by storm\, took Pansy Division on tour with them\, leading to nightly confr ontations with Green Day's increasingly frat boy following. \n\n\n\n Pan sy Division: Life in a Gay Rock Band follows the band through their firs t celebratory days to the increasingly difficult period of revolving ban dmates\, label rejection\, and prejudice within a still-homophobic music industry. \n\n\n\n Throughout though\, remains the impish glimmer of Gi nol and Freeman's "happy and celebratory" approach to being queer musici ans. An mind-set\, mind you\, that today is an accepted aspect of bands such as Grizzly Bear\, Hidden Camera\, The Gossip\, and the Scissor Sist ers. \n\n\n\n Featuring interviews and appearances by Lookout Records f ounder Larry Livermore\, Jessie "Luscious" Townley (The Criminals\, Alte rnative Tentacles)\, Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys\, Alternative Tentacles )\, Rob Halford (Judas Priest) and Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day)\, th e film is as humorous\, rockin' and queer as the band! \n\n\n\n Followin g the screening\, join The New Gay for a Queer Rocks dance party at the Quarry. \n CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/pansydivisionlifeinagayr ockband_reelaffirmationsseries2008 UID:163276458-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081023T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081023T203900 SUMMARY:Pusinsky DESCRIPTION:Stuck in a summer athletics camp and bored out of their skull s\, three Czech teenage girls decide to hit the highway in search of exc itement. Sexual experimentation\, excessive alcohol consumption and a ye arning to take a bite out of whatever forbidden fruit comes their way ar e all on the agenda\, though as the trip progresses\, each vixen-in-trai ning starts to develop her own personal agenda. The slightly chubby Ve ndula wants to overcome her self-esteem issues\, while the hyper-flirtat ious Karolina simply wants to test her powers of seduction on every man she meets - including her best friend's little brother who's tagging alo ng for the ride. And Iska? She's interested in pursuing her sudden attra ction to Karolina\, even if it means risking rejection and heartbreak. Karin Babinská's debut feature may be both a coming-out and a coming-of -age film\, but this road movie is anything but a harmless\, sugarcoated version of "Girls Gone Wild." There's perverse humor\, poignant tragedy and some seriously steamy encounters on this threesome's painful journe y to self-awareness and Sapphic awakenings. No punches are pulled\, yet this portrait of that transitional period between childhood and adulthoo d always retains that recognizably giddy rush. These girls will be women soon\, but that doesn't mean they can't have some fun along the way. In Czech with English subtitles CATEGORIES:Women's Feature LOCATION:Sixth and I Synagogue URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/pusinsky_reelaffirmation sseries2008 UID:163277636-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081023T210000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081023T223700 SUMMARY:Drifting Flowers DESCRIPTION:Piao Lang Qing Chun Originally translated as The Drifting Fl owers of Youth\, Zero Chou's (Spider Lilies) third feature is her most gloriously crafted yet. Eloquently old in three parts\, focusing on a di fferent character each time\, Drifting Flowers opens with the story of 8 yr. old May\, who befriends an androgynous accordion player\, Diego. Both May and Jing soon fall for this suave butch dyke\, and the bittersw eet love causes friction for all. The second scenario is a beautiful sto ry of loss and rekindled friendship. Lily quietly struggles alone with A lzheimer's\, longing for the day when her missing girlfriend Ocean will walk through the door. Instead\, her long lost cross-dressing pseudo-hus band -- reminiscent of her lover -- shows up on Lily's doorstep. Their f ragmented friendship grows beautifully into an inseparable bond that tug s at the heart. Coming full circle\, the third segment features Diego du ring her teen years\, fighting her traditional family\, binding her brea sts and falling in love for the first time. Mandarin &\; Taiwanese w ith English subtitles CATEGORIES:Women's Feature LOCATION:Sixth and I Synagogue URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/driftingflowers_reelaffi rmationsseries2008 UID:163267864-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081024T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081024T181100 SUMMARY:Lez Be Friends DESCRIPTION: Glenn Gaylord's latest endeavor is a fond look back at belo ved sitcoms from our childhood - if they were populated with butch lesbi ans\, hunky gay bartenders and a cast of straght-from-the-70s characters . Lez Be Friends serves up a butch lesbian heroine\, Ricca Pike\, and h er straitlaced gay male sidekick Jamie\, who arrive in Greenwich Village on the day after the Stonewall riots in search of an apartment. Offered a room by the Stonewall Inn's hunky bartender Blake\, Ricca must pass a s a feminine straight girl so as not to incur the wrath of the lesbo-pho bic landlord Truman Dubois. Like an inverted "Three's Company" for tho se who thought "That '70s Show" lacked a certain je ne sais gay\, Lez Be Friends is a rollicking homage to the sitcoms that shaped many of us\, for better or worse.- in which crab lice infests the residents of Casa D uBois\, prompting a witch hunt for Patient Zero - this two-episode\, fea ture-length package harks back to a more innocent era\, serving up laugh ter and bad outfits and reminding us that while things seemed much simpl er post-Judy and pre-AIDS\, gay drama couldn't hold a candle to the outr ageous shenanigans inherent in gay situation comedy. Frameline CATEGORIES:Women's Feature LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/lezbefriends_reelaffirma tionsseries2008 UID:163272638-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081024T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081024T202500 SUMMARY:On The Other Hand\, Death: A Donald Strachey Mystery DESCRIPTION: This third installment of highly successful Donald Strachey Mysteries continues the adventurous hi-jinks of private investigator Don ald Strachey\, played by Chad Alan. On the Other Hand\, Death also star s Sebastian Spence (Dawson's Creek) as Strachey's loving husband\, State Senate staffer Tim Callahan\, and Margot Kidder as half of a lesbian co uple threatened by neighborhood vandals. \n\n\n\n Dorothy (Kidder) and Edith (Gabrielle Rose) are asleep in each other's arms on the second fl oor of their long-time farmhouse as a shadowy figure breaks through the glass door. When Edith goes to investigate the noise\, she discovers gr affiti sprawled across the walls. The hateful message reads "DYKES GO HO ME." \n\n\n\n After speaking with their neighbors\, Donald discovers th at Dorothy and Edith rejected a developer's over-priced bid for their pr operty. Everyone else in the neighborhood wanted desperately to sell the ir homes\, and Edith would have sold as well\, but Dorothy would rather keep her home of nearly forty years than make money for corporate profit . \n\n\n\n \n\n\n Afterward\, Donald accompanies his husband\, Tim\, to the high school where Dorothy works as a guidance counselor and is curr ently under fire by a male student's father for referring the suicidal y outh to The Trevor Project hotline. \n\n\n\n Finally\, Donald gets a g ood lead when a paper trail leads him to Crane Sturgis\, a local busines s tycoon with a keen interest in making sure that Dorothy and Edith move out of their home. Upon acting on this lead\, Donald uncovers informat ion about Dorothy and Edith's relationship that may test the strength of their 30+ year relationship as well as impact the investigation. \n\n\n \n Private Investigator Donald suspects that the attack is motivated by big-business rather than homophobia. However\, as the investigation prog resses\, Donald and Tim find themselves dealing with an enemy that threa tens both their lives and their marriage. CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/ontheotherhanddeathadona ldstracheymystery_reelaffirmationsseries2008 UID:163276113-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081024T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081024T203300 SUMMARY:Save Me DESCRIPTION: It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that 'Save Me' is up t here with 'Brokeback Mountain' as one of the most powerful gay dramas of recent years." - Time Out London \n\n\n\n Save Me\, starring Chad Allen (Dr. Quinn\, Medicine Woman)\, Judith Light (Ugly Betty)\, and Robert G rant (Queer as Folk) \, features a nuanced look at both sides of the mos t polarizing religious and sexual debate in America: the conflict - and possible reconciliation - between homosexuality and Christianity. \n\n\n \n Mark (Chad Allen) is young\, high\, and heading nowhere fast. After a particularly nasty binge\, his family intervenes and checks him into an isolated Christian retreat dedicated to "curing" men of their homosexua lity. The compassionate couple running the shelter\, Gayle (Light\, in a particularly moving role) and Ted\, refrain from the fire and brimston e most often associated with religious right. \n\n\n\n As a new resident \, Mark is paired with Scott (Robert Grant) and a friendship soon develo ps between the two men\, a friendship that deepens into a full-fledged s ecret romance. However\, in the cloistered world of Genesis House\, secr ets aren't kept for long\, and the two men slowly are confronted with a number of sobering choices to make. \n\n\n\n As the men struggle with th eir increasing attraction to each other\, Gayle and Ted are encountering their own obstacles - as they are forced to confront their own faith an d values. \n\n\n\n Powerful and restrained performances and a provocati ve yet believeable plot bring light to this contentious subject. Like th e recent documentary FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO\, SAVE ME offers healing\ , clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of script ure and sexual identity. \n\n\n\n Opening Night Film\, Outfest 2007 \n\n \n\n Closing Night Film\, Newfest 2008\n CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/saveme_reelaffirmationss eries2008 UID:163279009-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081024T210000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081024T223200 SUMMARY:The New World DESCRIPTION: Lucie and Marion are a happy French lesbian couple. But when Lucie's biological clock starts to tick (and not stop)\, it will spark a whole series of events that will bring them happiness but also threate n the stability of their relationship \n\n\n\n In this fresh and sly tak e on lesbian parenthood\, things go awry right from the beginning. Lucie accidentally announces her need to have kids with her girlfriend Marion ... via microphone to a karaoke club. When Marion agrees\, they go throu gh one train-wreck of a sperm donor after another. And when they tell th eir families\, the real fun begins. Lucie's neurotic hippie parents worr y that her desire to have kids means she's becoming "too normal". \n\n\ n\n Marion's pathologically homophobic church-lady mom refuses to call M arion a mother\, only because she's not the one giving birth. Just as th ings start to stabilize\, their close friends\, and dyke-parent couple\, that serve as their role model go down in drunken messy flames. \n\n\ n\n And their donor Hugo\, whom they're hoping will take interest in the pregnancy\, seems more interested in a poker game than an ultrasound. A ll this before the final trimester! Amidst the pile-up of trouble\, The New World has plenty of warmth and humanity\, as well. \n\n\n\n Family\ , the film shows us\, is something you create\, as much as it is somethi ng you're born into. What's more\, the film subtly but successfully skew ers France's homophobic laws about gay parenting. These wide-eyed mommie s-to-be may have no idea what they're doing\, but they're in it together . \n\n\n\n .A delightfully modern lesbian comedy! CATEGORIES:Women's Feature LOCATION:Lincoln Theatre URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/thenewworld_reelaffirmat ionsseries2008 UID:163275813-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081024T211500 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081024T224500 SUMMARY:Parting Glances DESCRIPTION: The first film to be restored through the UCLA Film and Tel evision Archive and Outfest Legacy Project\, Parting Glances is the fran k portrait of a Greenwich Village gay man dealing with both his partner' s imminent departure and his friend's struggle with AIDS. You rarely h ear the words AIDS themed romantic comedy paired together\, for good rea son we might add\, but this film - with its realistic and sympathetic tr eatment of AIDS and gay relationships in general\, was truly groundbreak ing at the time for its touchingly honest blend of both drama and comedy . Michael and Robert\, a gay couple in New York\, prepare for Robert's departure for a two-year work assignment in Africa\, Michael must face Robert's true motives for leaving while dealing with their circle of ecc entric friends\, including Robert's former lover Nick\, the newly diagno sed musician whose cynicism takes a whole new turn. Featuring Steve Busc emi in his first starring role\, Parting Glances was also the only film directed by Bill Sherwood\, who died at the age of 38. CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:AFI Silver URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/partingglances_reelaffir mationsseries2008 UID:163276820-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081025T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081025T121100 SUMMARY:It All Adds Up! DESCRIPTION:88 Years in the Closet: \n On May 11\, 2007 Loraine Barr wrot e an essay for the "My Turn" section in Newsweek magazine. It took Lora ine three days to mail the essay\, but it had taken her eighty-eight yea rs to write - she was coming out of the closet and publicly declaring he rself a lesbian. \n\n\n\n Inspired by her courage\, Olivia Cruise Line i nvited Loraine to join them. Come along as she dives head first into the dyke scene and joins 1\,800 women on a lesbian-only Olivia cruise! \n\n \n\n Hear from other lesbians relating to Loraine's with stories of the ir own journeys and Loraine personal history and thoughts. This touching ly honest documentary addresses the issues of lesbians raising children\ , living openly as a lesbian couple and coming out to one's family - aft er 88 Years in the Closet. \n\n\n \nTen More Good Years:\n Every ten ye ars\, the White House presents a White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA) . In December 2005 only one delegate out of 1\,200 delegates represent ed the LGBT community - in spite of the issues facing the first generati on of LGBT seniors who fought for the right to be out\, proud and equal. \n\n\n\n Aging in the GLBT community often comes without the support o f the traditional family\, discrimination from retirement communities an d the loss of financial support or assistance from the government. \n\n\ n\n Taking a close look at the sobering statistics behind LGBT aging whi le telling the personal stories of seniors\, Ten More Good Years is a fo nd look back and a progressive look ahead to the future as we look for w ays to reinvent our social safety nets. \n\n \n\n88 Years in the Closet \nPeter Shafron\, US\, 2007\, 28 mins. \n \nTen More Good Years \nMichae l Jacoby\, US\, 2008\, 71 mins. CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:Harman Ctr for the Arts URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/italladdsup_reelaffirmat ionsseries2008 UID:163271817-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081025T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081025T123000 SUMMARY:Love Bites DESCRIPTION:Take a tasty nibble on these global shorts depicting the good \, bad\, and ugly faces of love and longing.\n \n\n \n\n \nThe Dissoluti on of Bodies\n \nTwo guys hook up and try to understand the meaning of t heir shared experience\n \nKevin Choi\, US\, 2007\, 13 mins.\n \n\n \nFl oat\n \nA white\, OCD\, Bahamian art student is floundering amidst a hom ophobic culture until his professor sends him to her beach house to find his muse. When handsome\, sexually conflicted Romeo steps into his lif e\, they give each other the courage to be themselves.\n \nKareem Mortim er\, BAHAMAS\, 2006\, 35 mins. \n \nMy Little Boy\n \nShades of “Cabare t” in this tale of a photographer and a Nazi stormtrooper who share a tu multuous\, passionate\, and ultimately tragic love affair. \n \nMatthia s Vom Schemm\, GERMANY\, 2007\, 19 mins.\n \n\n \n41 Seconds\n \nTwo you ng men compare notes on kissing the same woman\n \nRodney Sewell\, GERMA NY\, 2006\, 4 mins. \n \n\n \nThe Companionist\n \nDetermined to act on his loneliness and frustration\, an artist creates his own soulmate.\n \ nJarrah Gurrie\, Australia\, 2007\, 3 mins.\n \n\n \nLove Hurts\n \nThis cutting-edge PSA is a silent plea to protect all kinds of kisses. \n \n Doendue Kiliç\, GERMANY\, 2007\, :31 sec. \n \n\n \n\n \nBenny’s Gym\n \ nBenny is a rough kid who joins his friends in bullying the sensitive bo y who enjoys drawing and the solitude of his tree-house. But the bullyi ng turns to a secret friendship that is tested by their peers and their own feelings. \n \nMarie Gamlem\, NORWAY\, 2007\, 25 mins. \n \n\n \nMi rrors\n \nA bored teenager\, accompanying his family on summer vacation\ , sees love all around him\, aching for human contact.\n \nÉtienne Desr osiers\, CANADA\, 2007\, 14 mins. \n \n\n CATEGORIES:Shorts LOCATION:Harman Ctr for the Arts URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/lovebites_reelaffirmatio ns2008 UID:163288541-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081025T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081025T141400 SUMMARY:Through Thick And Thin DESCRIPTION: Through Thick and Thin follows the extraordinary stories of seven bi-national gay and lesbian couples whose lives are dramatically affected by the current immigration laws. Filmmaker Sebastian Cordoba intimately captures integral moments of each of the couples as they stru ggle to stay together at whatever cost\, unfortunately demonstrating tha t love does not conquer all Thousands of Gay\, Lesbian and Transgender ed bi-national couples are hurting deeply in the United States. All acro ss America\, in cities big and small\, men and women are facing an uncer tain future. These couples are about to run out of options\, while many have already gone underground and moved to other countries such as Canad a. These couples are less interested in changing national policy than si mply living their lives together. In the case of bi-national couples\, that may entail not a mirthful "forever"\, as can be the case in opposi te sex marriages\, but a short course in despair\, hopelessness and tear s In the U.S. Congress\, more than 100 lawmakers have sponsored the Uni ting American Families Act\, a bill that would give same-gender couples the same immigration rights as heterosexual couples. The bill\, written by Rep. Jerrold Nadler\, D-N.Y.\, would replace "spouse" with "permanent partner" in the Immigration and Nationality Act\, which governs immigra tion procedures. Ultimately\, THROUGH THICK AND THIN helps bring aware ness to the subject in a subjective and caring way. CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:Harman Ctr for the Arts URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/throughthickandthin_reel affirmationsseries2008 UID:163281912-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081025T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081025T153000 SUMMARY:The Universe Of Keith Haring DESCRIPTION:The Universe of Keith Haring Rising from subway graffiti art ist to global phenomena\, Haring was\, for many\, a highly visible canva s on which to hang their fears and hopes in the scary AIDS years. In t his documentary featuring never-before-seen footage\, we learn about New York's burgeoning art word\, the devastation of the arts community by A IDS and the rise to fame by Keith Haring in the 1980's. From his first job as a paperboy in Kutzstown\, PA to the continuing inspiration his ar t gives today we learn about the influence of Keith Haring's spirit and talent. Interviews with family members\, boyfriends\, fellow artists (s uch as Andy Warhol\, Fab 5 Freddy\, Madonna and Yoko Ono) and from Hari ng himself illuminate the gentleness of spirit and compassion that touch ed so many in his short lifetime. "And there are no regrets. Part of th e reason that I'm not having trouble facing the reality of death is that it's not a limitation\, in a way. If you live your life according to th at\, death is irrelevant. Everything I'm doing right now is exactly what I want to do." Keith Haring in a 1989 Rolling Stone Interview View th e Trailer CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:Harman Ctr for the Arts URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/theuniverseofkeithharing _reelaffirmationsseries2008 UID:163282519-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081025T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081025T153000 SUMMARY:Encounters of the Girl Kind DESCRIPTION:Operated By Invisible Hands \nA French doll regrets a night o f passion with another female doll. \nDir: Nicole Brending\, USA\, 2007\ , English/French\, English subtitles\, 7min. \n \nBackstroke \nA girl l oses her most precious memories after an accident\, but runs into them w hen confined to a psych ward. But will she realize it? \nDir: Amy Bronso n\, USA\, 2007\, English\, 20min. \n \nMa Rainey’s Lesbian Licks \nMa R ainey is an inspiration not only musically\, but for her unabashed embra ce of her sexuality. A look at one of the legendary blues singers in tim es less accepting than today. \nDir: Robert Philipson\, USA\, 2006\, Eng lish\, 4min. \n \nIn Twilight’s Shadow \nDon’t touch that light switch! A supernatural thriller in which an immortal has until sunrise to save the woman she loves. \nDir: T.M. Scorzafava\, USA\, 2007\, English\, 11m in. \n \nThe Insomniacs \nA butch dyke\, Skyler Cooper\, meets the girl of her dreams at an Insomniacs Anonymous meeting. \nDir: Kami Chisholm\ , USA\, 2008\, English\, 11min. \n \nMars \nThe violent leader of a gir l gang falls for a beautiful loner\, with results that you’d NEVER expec t. \nDir. Marcus Richardt\, Germany\, 2007\, English subtitles\, 17min. \n \nPages of a Girl (Paginas de Menina) \nIn this short film inspired by the love of all things literary\, a young woman falls for her first: the older\, more experienced woman who manages the bookstore where she w orks. \nDir: Monica Pallazzo\, Brazil\, 2007\, English subtitles\, 17min . \n\nThe Touch \nThe story\, based on the poem The Touch\, is set in 1906 and captures a romance in Paris between a lesbian poet\, Renee Vivi en\, and a Muslim woman\, Kerime\, as the two women meet in a Paris park \, maybe for the last time . \nDir: Jane Clark\, USA\, 2007\, English\, 7min. \n \nNight Star \nTwo pubescent Zulu girls find love in ritual\, during Ukuya Enyangeni\, the time of isolation and contemplation that oc curs during menstration. \nDir: Kekeletso Khena\, South Africa\, 2007\, English subtitles\, 13min. CATEGORIES:Shorts, Women's Shorts LOCATION:Harman Ctr for the Arts URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/encountersofthegirlkind_ reelaffirmations2008 UID:163286920-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081025T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081025T171700 SUMMARY:Derek DESCRIPTION:It's only fitting that Isaac Julien and Tilda Swinton would c ollaborate on a documentary about pioneering queer filmmaker Derek Jarma n - Swinton as his great friend and frequent leading lady and Julien as a gay Brit who\, like Jarman\, started out in the world of fine arts and later made films. Both contributors eschew the predictable route of the biographical documentary\, creating an iconoclastic tribute to this bou ndary-breaking director. Rather than simply discuss what it was like t o work with him\, Swinton (who also produced Derek) reads a letter in vo iceover\, highlighting his talents and mourning the state of today's fil mmaking. Julien uses her remarks as punctuation to a linear chronology o f Jarman's life narrated by the man himself\, primarily from a lengthy 1 990 interview and clips from his films. Jarman recalls pivotal cinematic experiences - including The Wizard of Oz\, La Dolce Vita and Scorpio Ri sing -and reminisces about his school days\, his parents' marriage\, fir st sexual experiences and the various people he met at the Slade art sch ool (including David Hockney). Brief discussions of his own work ensue \, accentuated by clips from Sebastiane\, The Tempest\, Caravaggio and o thers\, culminating with his last film\, Blue\, made as he was dying of AIDS. The result is a loving\, concise documentary that stands not only as an edifying elegy and tribute to Jarman and his work\, but also a cri de coeur for a time when queer cinema insisted on being defiantly outsi de of the mainstream. CATEGORIES:Documentary LOCATION:Harman Ctr for the Arts URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/derek_reelaffirmationsse ries2008 UID:163266725-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081025T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081025T200000 SUMMARY:Affinity DESCRIPTION: Women's Closing Night Film \n\n\n\n Upper-class Margaret\, mourning her father's recent death and her former lover's marriage - to her brother. Looking for diversion\, ventures out of her protective wo rld to become a "Lady Visitor" at a bleak women's prison\, Millbank. \n\n\n\n When she finds herself irresistibly drawn to Selina\, an attrac tive young convict who channels spirits and the souls of the dead. She's also serving a long sentence after being convicted for murder\, but she claims the murder was the work of one particularly strong and malicious spirit called Peter Quick. \n\n\n\n . After an initial curiosity and at traction\, their relationship builds slowly through Margaret's many visi ts\, and her reservations begin to melt away. She becomes obsessed with her mysterious friend\, and the pair begins to bristle under the watchfu l eyes of the prison guards\, particularly the head matron\, who suspect s that the two women are "sweet on" each other. \n\n\n\n Outside of Mill bank\, Margaret falls deeper and deeper under Selina's spell and begins to investigate Selina's murky history. Her family and friends tolerate h er bizarre new interests to a point\, but everyone would prefer that she marry and settle down as soon as possible. \n\n\n\n Margaret\, who is a s much imprisoned by her gender and class as the mysterious Selina is by her bars and chains\, soon discovers a world of secrets and shadows\, h eightened passions\, and the allure of the supernatural. Based on the m ystery romance novel by Sarah Waters\, Affinity is more than a gloriousl y crafted period piece - it's at once a love story and a not-so-fond loo k back at the shackles of the Victorian era. View the Trailer CATEGORIES:Women's Feature LOCATION:Harman Ctr for the Arts URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/affinity_reelaffirmation sseries2008 UID:163259399-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20091124T225435Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20081025T203000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20081025T220500 SUMMARY:Were The World Mine DESCRIPTION: Enjoy the fantastic world of Were the World Mine\, the eager ly anticipated feature film based on Faeries\, the much loved short film by Tom Gustafson. \n\n\n\n Dreamy (and prone to day-dreaming) Timothy ( Tanner Cohen) is stuck in a private\, all boys prep school\, pining for hottie rugby player Jonathan (Nathaniel Becker). \n\n\n\n The heart and soul of the film is the tender relationship between the two boys\, but this lighthearted take on A Midsummer's Night Dream is steeped in the f antastical\, tumultuous world of the male adolescent. \n\n\n\n Tanner\, Jonathan and the rest of the rugby team are forced to pull double duty as the cast and crew of their school's theatre production. Reluctant at first\, Jonathan\, as Puck\, soon finds his inner thespian under the fl ighty yet loving hand of drama teacher Ms. Tebbit (Wendy Roble of Twin P eaks fame). \n\n\n\n Under fire for by his teammates and coach\, our lo nely hero retreats to daydreams of musical numbers\, stolen kisses\, and rugby players in go-go shorts. \n\n\n\n Armed with a fertile imaginat ion\, Tanner unlocks within his battered rehearsal book a magic spell. W ith a few waves of a now magical purple pansy and some early mishaps inv olving his two best friends\, Tanner is soon on his way - wielding his m agic wand and turning the entire town gay\, gay\, gay! \n\n\n\n By the t ime of the play's debut\, Tanner's mom is fending off a surprise suitor\ , uber-butch Coach Driskill is making eyes at well.. we'll leave that fo r you to see\, and no one can see straight. \n\n\n\n Gorgeously crafted and accompanied by a vibrant soundtrack of pop and dance tunes\, Were Th e World Mine will sweep you off your feet! \n\n\n\n After the screening\ , join director Tom Gustafson for our Closing Night Gala on the glamorou s mezzanine of the Shakespeare Theatre's Harman Center for the Arts. \n \n\n\n Audience Favorite: Florida Film Festival\, Toronto Int'l. Film Fe stival\, Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival \n\n\n Best LGBT Film and Best Music in a Feature Film: Nashville Film Festival\n \n\n $20 Film o nly \n$40 Film and Closing Night Party CATEGORIES:Feature Film LOCATION:Harman Ctr for the Arts URL:http://reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008/films/weretheworldmine_reelaff irmationsseries2008 UID:163283820-reelaffirmations.bside.com/2008 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR