This is a year of celebration for the Florida Film Festival. For 25 years, this popular event has been committed to bringing the best in new and cutting-edge films to Central Florida. In their quarter of a century, they have also actively programmed LGBTQ films. The festival runs April 8-17.
Besides checking out new LGBTQ films, film aficionados can chat with each other, meet filmmakers and even attend events with actress Sissy Spacek and writer/director/actor Mark Duplass (The Puffy Chair, The League).
Tickets can be purchased through FloridaFilmFestival.com
Many of the feature films have shorts accompanying them, so we arranged this schedule of LGBTQ films for easiest viewing, by date and time. Grab your popcorn and, at least in some cases, your tissues.
SAT, APRIL 9
Queer Habits
Documentary Short
4:30–6:10PM at Enzian Theater, Maitland
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence – drag do-gooders from liberal San Francisco Bay – invade the Russian River Valley, a more conservative and rural area of California. This short precedes the documentary feature Thank You, Del: The Story of the Del Close Marathon.
Also playing Tues., April 12, 9–10:55 PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
Charlotte
Narrative Short
4:45–6:35PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
This brief film is part of a series of short films called Shorts #1: Change. In this flick, a shy teenager Alex opens up to her new, popular friend.
Also playing Tue., April 12, 7–8:50 PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
Other People’s People
Narrative Short
7:15–9PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
At a gay wedding, the guests come to realize how their relationships and sexual histories cross. This is part of the series Shorts #2: Ashes to Ashes.
Also playing Wed. April 18, 4-5:45PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
An Act of Love
Documentary Feature
9:30–11PM at Enzian Theater, Maitland
Reverend Frank Schaefer – a Methodist minister – challenged his church’s doctrines when he officiated his son’s gay wedding in 2000. Six years later, disgruntled congregation members work to defrock him. By then, Schaefer and his family realize how much they have at stake in LGBTQ equality.
Becoming Blair
will precede An Act of Love
Documentary Short
Becoming Blair is about a transgender FTM growing up in rural Texas and struggling to maintain his relationship with his conservative parents.
Also playing Thurs., Apr. 14, 7–8:55PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
Hunky Dory
Narrative Feature
9:30–11PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
Sydney – and aging glam rocker – now performs as a drag artist and even turns a trick or two to keep working. When his 11-year-old son is dropped into Sydney’s life, the performer has to re-examine his dreams and lifestyle.
Also playing Thurs., April 14, 3:45–5:30PM at Enzian Theater, Maitland
SUN, APRIL. 10
Tear Jerker
Narrative Short
2:45–4:30PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
Elliot, a trans man, tries to find new ways to express old, familiar emotions, especially now that he has changed. This is one offering in Shorts #3: Young Americans.
Also playing Thurs., April 14, 4:15-6PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
Slash
Narrative Feature
4–5:45PM at Enzian Theater, Maitland
A 15-year-old kid struggling with his sexual identity spends his days writing slash porn – erotic fan fiction – about his favorite hero. He soon meets a girl who leads him into “18 and over” internet forums. He also develops feelings for her.
Also playing Wed., April 13, 9:15–11:10PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
The Other Kids
Narrative Feature
6:30–8:05PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
Combining improvisation, documentary and fiction, The Other Kids explores six high-school kids’ lives as they head toward graduation and map out their futures. Filmmaker Chris Brown worked with the kids and other cast members to create their stories.
Also playing Fri., April 15, 2:15–3:55PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
MON., APRIL 11
Presenting Princess Shaw
Documentary Feature
4:15-5:50PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
Princess Shaw is a musical talent from New Orleans, struggling to make it big by recording snippets of her life on her phone and posting YouTube videos. A composer grabs her digital stuff and makes Shaw his muse in this true story of Internet fame.
Also playing Thurs., April 14, 6:30-8:20PM at Enzian Theater, Maitland
The Tricks List
Documentary Short
4:45-6:25PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
As part of the 6 X Reel: Where Are We Now series, this short film interviews a gay man who has been with hundreds of partners, recording it all in the margins of a book.
Also playing Sat., April 16, 2:30-4:10PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
Danny Says
Documentary Feature
9:15-11PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
Danny Fields was a shocking anomaly: A proud gay man living his life out loud before Stonewall. He left Harvard to write rock journalism. That led him to become Director of Publicity for Elektra Records.
Also playing Fri., April 15, 9:15-11PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
SAT., APRIL 16
Tickled
Documentary Feature
9:15-11:05PM at Enzian Theater, Maitland
When they started this film about the fetish competitive endurance tickling, David Farrier and Dylan Reeve never thought they’d uncover a dark underbelly of cons, cyber-bullying, fraud and blackmail.
Also playing Sun., April 16, 2-3:45PM at Regal Cinemas, Winter Park
SUN., APRIL 17
Memories of a Penitent Heart
Documentary Feature
1-2:45PM at Enzian Theater, Maitland
A quarter of a century after losing her uncle to AIDS, Cecilia Aldorondo seeks answers. In Florida, she tracks down the man’s ex-lover and starts the process of peeling back the layers of familial secrets.
Pink Boy
will precede Memories of a Penitent Heart
Documentary Short
Even though he’s in rural, conservative Florida, that’s not going to stop six-year-old Jeffrey from wanting to be a princess for Halloween.
