SXSW may have ended last month, but the film festival season is still sparkling in Austin, TX. Two of Polari’s community partners – The Austin Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) and Cine Las Americas – are rolling out this week and we could not be more excited to see all of the cinematic goodies that they have in store. We are, of course, especially excited about the strong LGBT showings in each festival, and below you will find a list of their LGBT offerings (in chronological order by festival). Polari is a proud community sponsor of each of these films.
Polari is pleased to announce the return of the Queer Youth Media Project (QYMP), our annual FREE summer film workshop for LGBT and ally youths, which will take place from July 22– August 2, 2013. This workshop is presented in partnership with the Austin School of Film (ASoF) and will be facilitated by the very talented local filmmaker Even Roberts (33 TEETH, KEAH KOWALSKI!).
We are very proud of this exciting and empowering program, which not only teaches LGBT and ally youths the entire filmmaking process from pre-production through festival exhibition, but also provides a rare opportunity for often isolated LGBT and ally youths to connect and create in a fun, supportive, and collaborative environment. At Polari we believe that every story is important and that is vital to provide LGBT and ally youths with tools for self-expression. Accordingly, all LGBT and ally youths (approximately age 14-19) are encouraged to apply. Everyone is welcome, from those who have filmmaking ambitions, to those who just want to make new friends while participating in a cool and creative activity.
All week long we have been posting on Facebook about the outstanding LGBT films in this year’s SXSW. For your convenience, we’ve combined these posts into one document, with the films listed in order of their premiere date and time. Hope you enjoy the festival and are able to stop by our Official SXSW Queer Brunch, where we will be honoring the LGBT filmmakers listed below.
AUSTIN, Texas, February 26, 2013 — Polari (previously AGLIFF – Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival) announces the official launch of its 26th season. The Polari Nonprofit Organization is currently open for early bird discounted memberships and is accepting film submissions for the Polari Film Festival Program this October 16-20, 2013 in Austin, Texas.
Polari’s Film Festival Program is open for film submissions through June 22, 2013. Enter your film now for a chance to debut your work at the largest and longest running LGBTQIA film festival of its kind in the Southwest. To submit your film to our juried and awarded festival, visit the 2013 Film Submission Page on PolariFest.com
ANY DAY NOW, starring Alan Cumming, comes to Austin for one night only! Polari is teaming up with our friends at the Stateside Theater to bring you ANY DAY NOW, a galvanizing tale of love, acceptance and family featuring a critically acclaimed lead performance from beloved “out” actor Alan Cumming!
ANY DAY NOW
Monday, March 4th
Stateside at the Paramount (719 Congress Ave.)
Doors @ 6:30pm | Film @ 7:00 pm
Inspired by a true story from the late 1970s, ANY DAY NOW touches on legal and social issues that are as relevant to our communities today as they were 35 years ago. When a teenager with Down syndrome (Isaac Leyva) is abandoned by his mother, a gay couple (Cumming and Garret Dillahunt) takes him in and becomes the loving family he’s never had. But when their unconventional living arrangement is discovered by authorities, the men are forced to fight a biased legal system to save the life of the child they have come to love as their own.
Winner of the Audience Award for Best Feature Film at Tribeca, Outfest, and eight other film festivals around the country, and a GLAAD nominee for Best Film of 2012, this Austin theatrical premiere is not to be missed!
Polari hosts its annual official SXSW event honoring LGBTQI and straight ally Film, Music and Interactive creatives from throughout the world. Join us over complementary brunch and cocktails at Polari’s Official SXSW Brunch as we celebrate the talented LGBTQIA filmmakers at SXSW.
Featuring special appearances by SXSW LGBTQIA filmmakers!
Connect with filmmakers and industry tastemakers!
Support awareness and equality for the LGBTQIA community!
Saturday, March 9 from 11:00am-1:00pm
Polari’s Headquarters at ASoF
(1632 E. Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX 78702)
This event is open to all SXSW badge holders and our RSVP list!
RSVP now to reserve attendance: sxsw@polarifest.com
Join us on February 24th as we continue our month of “Provocative Passion” with the Austin theatrical premiere of the controversial, uber-sexy Chilean film YOUNG AND WILD (Official Selection Sundance 2012, Outfest 2012 Centerpiece). Co-sponsored by Cine Las Americas, as part of their “Signature Series” at the Alamo Drafthouse Village, YOUNG AND WILD will screen at 1pm on a Sunday in a nostalgic tip of the hat to Polari’s much beloved Sunday Brunch screenings of yore.
“Entirely living up to its title, YOUNG AND WILD is an exuberant, horny, playful and raunchy explosion of teenage female impulses expressed in bracingly contemporary free-form style.” –Todd McCarthy, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
YOUNG AND WILD (Marialy Rivas, 2012)
Sunday, Feb. 24, 1 PM.
Alamo Drafthouse Village
2700 W Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78757. Tel: (512) 476-1320.
Tickets $10 | Members $8
ALAMO TIX LINK FOR GENERAL ADMISSION: coming soon!
Facebook Event Invite
Polari and Cine Las Americas MEMBERS RSVP here!
Member tickets will be available at the Polari/Cine Las Americas table 45 minutes before the screening.
Whether you’ve been together forty years or forty minutes, there’s no mistaking that February is the month for lovers. In honor of this, we bring you a month of “Provocative Passion” that kicks off with the Austin return of the Polari Film Festival Centerpiece and festival favorite FOURPLAY (Kyle Henry, 2012).
Polari is proud to co-sponsor the local theatrical release of this daring and sexy film, which played to a packed Paramount Theatre at Polari25, and which previously made some mighty waves from Sundance to Cannes. Produced by a cast and crew of talented locals, we couldn’t be more pleased to support the continued success of this remarkable film.
FOURPLAY will play February 8th-14th at the Alamo Drafthouse Village. There will also be a special preview screening and fundraiser on February 7th, hosted by our friends at Austin Film Society, and with an after-party at Polari favorite, Cheer Up Charlie’s.
Polari Nonprofit Organization Community Partner Announcement:
Filmmaker Kevin Smith will be attending the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Austin Gala Dinner on February 9, 2013 and receiving the HRC Equality Award. The annual dinner raises money for HRC’s national advocacy work to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. Founded in 1980, HRC advocates on behalf of LGBT Americans, mobilizes grassroots actions in diverse communities, invests strategically to elect fair-minded individuals to office and educates the public about LGBT issues.
Smith has a long-standing affection for and association with Austin, Texas since he credits Richard Linklater’s film Slacker for inspiring him to want to be a filmmaker and believing he could be.
Special thanks to HRC for being a supporting community partner of the Polari Nonprofit Organization!
Our wise and witty friends at the
Big thanks to the Gay Place for their recognition and for everything they have done to keep Austin’s queer community vibrant and in-the-know. We promise to stay on top in 2013 with even bigger and better programs and year round events!
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