The LGBTQ Film Fest at 33
A MOSTLY VIRTUAL FORMAT MEANS MORE MOVIES THAN EVER
Like many other festivals that have moved forward despite the pandemic’s restrictions on theaters, the 33rd annual Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival offers virtual films, along with a few drivein events.
Shane Engstrom, the festival’s director, says the shift means they can screen more full-length features, documentaries and short films than ever. From dramas to comedy, there’s a wide range, including a romcom that manages to mix dating tips with a ghost story, while also offering a hearty dose of LGBTQ history. Engstrom shared more via email.
Q: More than 100 movies are being screened at Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival, which runs through Oct. 10. That’s a lot! Can you share more about some subjects that will be explored?
A: Our goal is always to present as diverse a program as possible, so there are films available that appeal to a wide range of tastes. In this turbulent year, we wanted to use the festival as a tool to bring as many different perspectives to the table as possible, allowing the audience to appreciate the diversity of our community.
We are featuring films from 25 different countries, creating programs that highlight our LGBTQ youth and elders, queer people of color, international perspectives, religion, history, comedies, tragedies, and stories of love. There’s truly something for everyone.
Q: Is there one film in particular you’re especially excited/happy to be offering, or one that really touched your heart?
A: “Cicada” is a personal favorite and will be announced as the winner of this year’s Jury Award for Best Feature Film. The authenticity of the acting is incredible in this searingly honest, semi-autobiographical portrait that reveals the struggles of millennial dating and relationships, while at the same time uncovering buried childhood trauma. This film was codirected by Matthew Fifer as his feature film debut, that he also happened to write, produce, edit and star in. He clearly has a bright future in the film industry.
Q: This year’s festival offers a new program called “Connecticut Connections,” which includes shorts involving filmmakers, actors or locations associated with Connecticut. What’s one of the highlights?
A: One of the festival committee favorites, “A Spirit in Flight,” is a short doc featuring Eric Jurado-Diaz from East Hartford. He starts the film off with, “If I don’t go to heaven when I die, at least I went halfway there,” referring to his bucket-list jump from an airplane at Skydive Danielson. This encapsulates his brave spirit and humor as he tells the story of his life and family, including his struggle with ALS.
Other films, like “Dream House,” used many filming locations in the Hartford area, like the Chez Est gay bar and the Hartford 21 building downtown. But some of the films have a connection to the Nutmeg State through their actors and writers who grew up here, or attended or taught in Connecticut schools. It’s a very eclectic, entertaining and educational mix of short films.
Q:
How long did it take to put this festival together? What was involved?
A: Normally it takes about 10 months, but this year the planning stretched into 14 months, which we really needed in order to prepare for the unique challenges of 2020’s festival, including the integration of a new virtual festival platform and drive-in screenings! Our committee of 15 to 20 volunteers watched a record number of submissions — over 650 films.
While daunting, this wealth of submissions allowed us to nearly double the number of films selected, a total of 119. The majority of these films are included in our record 12 all-short film programs — up from the usual three or four, which are always a big hit with our audience. We were able to increase the number of shorts programs to include new themes, like Connecticut Connections, queer people of color, bisexual, drag/cross-dressing and short documentaries.
Q: People love to laugh. Can you share something about one of the funnier offerings?
A: You can surmise just from the title “Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie’s Dead Aunt)” that this film is going to be fun. This fresh, lesbian teen rom-com delves into the dating life of a girl who happens to be able to chat with the ghost of her queer activist aunt, who is happy to share dating tips and hearty doses of LGBTQ history for good measure. This Australian film is featured on closing night (Oct. 10) and is available online at OutFilmCT.org.
“WE WANTED TO USE THE FESTIVAL AS A TOOL TO BRING AS MANY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES TO THE TABLE AS POSSIBLE.”
Q: Is there something you wanted to share that I didn’t ask you about?
A: Like many other organizations fundamentally challenged by the pandemic, our festival committee had to adapt very quickly, watching hundreds of films and submitting evaluations online, with the last seven months spent in weekly Zoom calls. Committee members had to step up to tackle many new challenges; I think it has brought us closer together as an organization. We’re lucky to have such a dedicated group of volunteers. I also want to thank all of our sponsors and advertisers for continuing to show their commitment to diversity and our community by supporting our organization in these difficult times.