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Each year, the Sarasota Film Festival presents a line-up of independent films that feature significant LGBTQ characters or themes. SarasotaOUT.com is excited to be teaming up with the Sarasota Film Festival to spotlight these features in our Gay Guide to the Sarasota Film Festival. Below you will find our curated list of films, special events and the hottest parties that cater to the LGBTQ community during the film festival's 20th anniversary!
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What to Watch: Features
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To The Stars

★ SarasotaOUT.com Staff Pick
Set in 1960's small-town Oklahoma, and presented in stunning black-and-white cinematography, TO THE STARS chronicles the story of Iris and Maggie. Iris is a shy, insecure teen who endures bullying both at school and at home. Maggie is the mysterious and magically charismatic new girl who sees Iris' hidden gifts and encourages her to come into her own. When Maggie's Delphic past is uncovered, the townsfolk are thrown into a panic, and Maggie and Iris are forced to take drastic measures to stand their ground together in a world where women who don't follow the rules are egregiously unwelcome.

Apr 6th @ 4:30 pm
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TICKETS

Consequences​

In Slovenian director's highly acclaimed and duly awarded debut feature, CONSEQUENCES, we are brought into the world of Andrej, a stunning 18 year-old rebel-without-a-cause, sent to a youth detention centre for petty crimes. Andrej must now fight for acceptance within his new clique of hardened inmates, and to keep a certain high-stakes secret safe from their incisive scrutiny. 

​Apr 10th @ 7:15 pm
Apr 12th @ 1:45 pm

TICKETS
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The Third Wife

Director Ash Mayfair has established herself as a force to be reckoned with with her debut feature, THE THIRD WIFE, winner of the coveted NETPAC and Gold Hugo Awards at Toronto and Chicago, respectively (not to mention 2 additional wins and 9 nominations at festivals across the globe). This is the story of a 14 year-old in late 19th century rural Vietnam, who is given away to an arranged marriage and must choose between her safety and her freedom after discovering forbidden love.

Apr 11th @ 2:45 pm [SOLD OUT]
Apr 14th @ 5:30 pm
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TICKETS
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In Fabric

Director Peter Strickland returns with his highly-anticipated follow-up to THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY with this comedic homage to classic European horror films. IN FABRIC tells the spine-tingling tale of a department store in Southern England where the salesclerks speak in riddles, the mannequins look just a little too lifelike, and the gorgeous red dress for sale fits perfectly on anyone unfortunate enough to wear it. 

Apr 11th @ 8:00 pm
Apr 14th @ 12:30 pm
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TICKETS
Local Spotlight:

Surviving Lunch

★ SarasotaOUT.com Staff Pick
Directed by local alum KT Curran, SURVIVING LUNCH follows Gabriella a gorgeous and new to FL student from the Bronx. After moving to escape her personal trauma in the wake of a school shooting, she is compelled to consider all options to stop the biggest bully in school. 

Apr 9th @ 8:30 pm
Apr 14th @ 3:15 pm
[SOLD OUT]
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TICKETS

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       Surviving Lunch deals with homophobic bullying in school which is one of the many painful ways kids sometimes hurt and taunt each other. -KT Curran
A nationally published playwright, screenwriter, editor, and actress, KT Curran has worked extensively in theatre and film for over twenty-five years, performing and directing nationally and internationally.  KT has written twenty-five plays, three films, a web series, commercials and several documentaries for young adults. Eleven of KT’s plays and screenplays are nationally published and performed by groups across the United States.
What to Watch: Documentaries

The Unicorn

In 1974, a brave and enigmatic musician released a record that defies just about every trapping of pop music there is. Peter Grudzien wrote, recorded, and released the first openly gay psychelic country record, aptly titled "The Unicorn." This is his remarkable story.

Apr 6th @ 5:45 pm
Apr 13th @ 1:45 pm
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TICKETS
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Making Montgomery Clift

★ SarasotaOUT.com Staff Pick
Directed by Clift's nephew, Robert Clift, and Hillary Demmon, and featuring exclusive archival footage, MAKING MONTGOMERY CLIFT is as much an attempt to set the record straight about this classic cinema icon as it is a study of how false narratives are constructed around celebrities. 
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Apr 6th @ 8:00 pm
Apr 10th @ 3:00 pm
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TICKETS
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​Cassandro The Exotico

Get in the ring with Cassandro! A 26-year veteran of Mexico's fearsome and fiercely queer wrestlers, known as the Exoticos, Cassandro has seen it all and bears the scars, broken bones, and pins to prove it. It is now time for a reinvention, and this Cannes selection tells that story with unbeatable panache. 

Apr 7th @ 6:45 pm
Apr 10th @ 2:30 pm
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TICKETS
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Halston

Fashion film director extraordinaire, Frédéric Tcheng (DIOR AND I, VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR), returns with HALSTON, an homage and analysis of the revolutionary fashion mogul Roy Halston Frowick. Charting the life of the man who created the look that defined the 1970s, this Sundance selection features extensive archival footage as well as interviews that lived and worked most intimately with this indelible icon of fashion history.

Apr 12th @ 7:00 pm
Apr 13th @ 4:15 pm
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TICKETS
What to Watch: Short Films

​These are the Short films that feature significant LGBTQ characters or themes. Please note these films are being shown with a variety of other short films.
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Cpl. Brittany
​Jackson's Smile

While in Iraq, Brittany endured an ambush that caused major damage to her teeth. The military refused to pay for full mouth dental implants and sedation during Brittany's surgeries. Fifteen years later, a local Pensacola dentist offered to give Brittany something to smile about.

Apr 7th @ 3:00 pm
Apr13th @ 11:45 pm
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TICKETS
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Getting Started

After meeting online, Tori and Joy finally have their first date. Chemistry ensues immediately, but will their mutual attraction be enough to overcome the challenge these women face?

Apr 7th @ 4:00 pm
Apr 8th @ 5:30 pm
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TICKETS
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How Does It Start

Her film follows 12-year-old Rain (played by Lola Wayne Villa), a girl experiences the early stages of a sexual awakening circa 1983. But unlike many a film sexualizing young lesbians, this work explores the innocent curiosity of a young girl finding her own path.

Apr 11th @ 4:00 pm
Apr 12th @ 3:15 pm
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TICKETS

​Where to Go: LGBTQ Special Event
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Gay Group Happy Hour takes place at a different venue each month and gives the LGBT community of Sarasota a place to network and make friends.  Join us for complimentary appetizers, delicious drinks and fabulous surprises at the April G2H2 where we will be kicking off the LGBTQ+ programming for this years Film Festival!

Gay Group Happy Hour

THURSDAY, APRIL 4th | 5:30 PM

​Location: Art Ovation Sarasota
1255 North Palm Ave, Sarasota

​Tickets: $10 ​(Available at the door)
  • 50/50 Raffle
  • Door Prizes
  • Complimentary Appetizers 
    ​(while supplies last)​
​
FACEBOOK RSVP
 Where to Go: The SFF Parties
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Opening Night Party

FRIDAY, APRIL 5TH | 9 PM

This promises to be an evening under the stars that is full of fun and surprises. We offer several levels of tickets, with a VIP ticket including complimentary Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktails, Stella Artois and hors d’oeuvres.
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Location: Sarasota_Modern
1290 Boulevard of the Arts,
​Sarasota, FL 34236
TICKETS
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Film Festival Soiree

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10TH | 9 PM

FREE EVENT | The Sarasota Film Festival Presents, in association with The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. *Celebrating friends, film and Florida!

Block Rockin' Beats by DJ KARIM


Location: Arcos
320 Central Avenue,
Sarasota, Florida 34236
FACEBOOK RSVP
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Cinema Tropicale

FRIDAY, APRIL 12TH | 9 PM

Cinema Tropicale is our over-the-top fashion show and courtyard extravaganza! We offer several levels of tickets, with a VIP ticket including complimentary Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktails, Stella Artois and hors d’oeuvres.
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Location: Overton
1420 Boulevard of the Arts
​Sarasota, FL 34236
TICKETS
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Closing Night Party

SATURDAY, APRIL 21 | 9 PM

Celebrate closing the festival on a high note with our notorious late night wrap party, this year at Sage - a beloved Sarasota landmark recently transformed into a elegant restaurant and lounge. Join us for a party that promises to be the talk of the town. Both general and VIP admission available.
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Location: Sage
1216 1st street
Sarasota, FL 34236
TICKETS
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Where to Go:

SFF LGBTQ Calendar

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  • EVENTS
    • Events Calendar
    • Gay Group Happy Hour
    • Big Gay Beach Party
    • Add Event
  • Directory
    • Add Business
    • Edit Business
  • News
  • Shop
  • Big Gay Weekend