OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Hosts the 22nd Edition Virtually
During these difficult times, virtual events are popping up all over to continue the traditions they have set up for years, and the 22nd edition of the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival is joining the works.
This bi-annual film festival’s mission is to unite the community through social events and LGBTQ media that inspire, entertain, and educate is going virtual. The festival will also host live-streamed, special events with cocktail happy hours, talent, and Q-&-A sessions as a way to virtually tie the community together.
In 1988, the festival was originally just The Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, and in 2008, as the Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival—both editions were brought together under one brand to become the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival.
“In these challenging times, the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival has adapted to the changing needs of the film and viewing community and is pleased to move forward with an outstanding roster of poignant new features viewable virtually anywhere in the state,” says Victor Gimenez, executive director of OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival. “It’s in this spirit of unity and equality, the tenets upon which the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival was founded, that we are taking a giant leap forward to offer these award-winning films with culturally diverse narratives and deeply moving subjects to an even wider audience.”
In keeping with social distancing guidelines and community safety, this year’s festival kicks off on August 20 at 7 p.m. with OUTshine’s Opening Night Drive-OUT, a preview of Stage Mother, at the Drive-In Theater at Dezerland Park.
Stage Mother, starring Oscar-nominated Jacki Weaver, Adrian Grenier, and Emmy-nominated Lucy Liu, is comedy-drama about a conservative, Texas church choir director who moves to San Francisco in attempt to save her recently deceased son’s drag club from bankruptcy. In the process, she finds new meaning for her life and embraces the club’s flamboyant performers.
A full list of the incredible films with full descriptions, along with tickets and other information, can be found on their website. Ticket costs for individual films are $12 each, and value packages range from $60 to $350.
