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!
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 |
ConsequencesIn 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 Vertical Divider
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The Third WifeDirector 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 Vertical Divider
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In FabricDirector 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 |
Local Spotlight:
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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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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.
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What to Watch: Documentaries
The UnicornIn 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 Vertical Divider
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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.
Apr 6th @ 8:00 pm Apr 10th @ 3:00 pm |
Cassandro The ExoticoGet 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 Vertical Divider
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HalstonFashion 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 |
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.
Cpl. Brittany
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Vertical Divider
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How Does It StartHer 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 |
Where to Go: LGBTQ Special Event
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!
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Gay Group Happy HourTHURSDAY, APRIL 4th | 5:30 PMLocation: Art Ovation Sarasota
1255 North Palm Ave, Sarasota Tickets: $10 (Available at the door)
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Where to Go: The SFF Parties
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Opening Night PartyFRIDAY, APRIL 5TH | 9 PMThis 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.
Location: Sarasota_Modern
1290 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236 |
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Film Festival SoireeWEDNESDAY, APRIL 10TH | 9 PMFREE 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 |
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Cinema TropicaleFRIDAY, APRIL 12TH | 9 PMCinema 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.
Location: Overton
1420 Boulevard of the Arts Sarasota, FL 34236 |
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Closing Night PartySATURDAY, APRIL 21 | 9 PMCelebrate 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.
Location: Sage
1216 1st street Sarasota, FL 34236 |
