Tuesday: Sponsorship for non-discrimination bills to hit new record The Pennsylvania legislature's LGBT Equality Caucus and other legislative supporters will hold a Capitol news conference Tuesday to announce the largest-ever list of sponsors for non-discrimination legislation and a new major corporate supporter of the bills. Results of a recent poll about the bills also will be announced
A New Hope tradition celebrates its first decade Known for appealing to everyone from everywhere, New Hope Celebrates will present a week of events and activities May 11-19, 2013 to commemorate lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and allies Pride in New Hope, Pa. and Lambertville, NJ.
Running from July 12 to July 23, 2012, the 18th edition of Philadelphia QFest opens with the Philadelphia premiere of Elliot Loves from director Terracino and closes eleven days later with the East Coast premiere (and only second showing in the world!) of BearCity2: The Proposal. (Festival Favorites will be screened on Monday, July 23).
With 107 films that include 42 feature films, 13 documentaries, and 52 short films – and 7 World Premieres, 1 North American Premiere, 2 U.S. Premieres, 16 East Coast Premieres, and 26 Philadelphia Premieres, QFest is bringing the very best in LGBT comedy, drama, and romance, while also tackling transgender issues, and the hot-button issues of immigration and the legalization of same-sex marriage!.
The Opening Night, presented by TD Bank, kicks off with Elliot Loves (Thursday July 12th at 7:15pm Ritz East 1), the story of Dominican-American Elliot Ayende at two stages of his life: as a 9-year-old who is sidekick and confidant to his barely-keeping-it-together single mom; and as a 21-year-old looking for love in New York City. A TLA Releasing film, Elliot Loves is a comedy-drama that shows you can survive anything life throws at you. Director Terracino, actor Quentin Araujo and actress Elena Goode will be in town with the film.
What’s an Opening Night without a party? Festival goers will head over to Chris Scarduzio’s Table 31, 32 North 17th Street, from 9:30 p. m.-12:30 a. m., for the Official Opening Night Gala Party, presented by TD Bank, at The Comcast Center, one of the city’s most dramatic settings where the festivities will be held inside and outside, with DJ Jimmy (Dimitrios) DePre will be spinning Oldies and today’s house music, a spectacular sculptural ice bar will flow with Smirnoff’s Whipped & Fluffed, and food tastings will be featured from Scarduzio’s kitchen. Godfather Brittany Lynn and The Drag Mafia will be patrolling the plaza.
Tickets are $40 for combos (film and after-party); $35 for party only at the door, with three complimentary drink tickets for beverages from our generous sponsors.
Closing out the festival on Sunday, July 22 (7:15pm in Ritz East 1) is the hilarious follow-up to TLA Releasing’s BearCity. In BearCity2: The Proposal, Kathy Najimy plays den mother to the returning cast of bears, boys and cubs, for a Bear Week bachelor party in Provincetown. Film-goers will take a trip down the aisle with Roger and Tyler to one of the most magical beach towns on earth in this romantic comedy. Kevin Smith, Lt. Dan Choi, Frank DeCaro, Mike Ruiz and Varla Jean Merman lend their support to our lovable gang as they navigate through a foam party, ex-boyfriends and 3,000 sexy men.
Prior to the screening of BearCity2, QFest 2012 audience awards (Best Short Film, Best Documentary Film, Best Comedic Film, Best Feature Film) and the jury awards (Best
Short Film, Best Documentary Film, Best Feature Film, First Time Director) will be announced.
Festival attendees will then say farewell to another year of incredible LGBT cinema while dancing the night away at SugarHouse Casino, 1001 N. Delaware Avenue, from 9:30 p. m. – 12:30 p. m. for the Official Closing Gala Night Party, featuring “MANdance: Rehoboth’s” DJ Stephen Durkin and Mr. Telly “Style” Simmons who will oversee the army from The Drag Mafia! They’ll be more than “Lights, Camera, Action” with some definite drama when the drag queens meet the bears from Liberty Bears who will be full force in attendance.
Tickets are $35 for combos (film and after-party); $35 for party only at the door, with three complimentary drink tickets for beverages from our generous sponsors.
This year the closing night festivities continue as an after-after party is hosted by Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.,12:30 p m. -2 a. m., as a fundraiser for Liberty Bears featuring DJ Barney Medunic.
QFest 2012 Award Recipients:
Artistic Achievement Award in Directing – Rose Troche
Rising Film Star Award – David W. Ross
Barbara Gittings Award – Ellen Ratner
The Philadelphia Cinema Alliance is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization founded in 2009 to produce the third largest LGBT festival, and the largest on the East Coast, as well as to present year-round international film programming throughout the city.
QFest 2012 is brought to you by: Presenting Sponsors: tlagay.com, Smirnoff, Philadelphia Cinema Alliance, Table 31, Sugarhouse, tlareleasing; Official Sponsors: Td Bank, Smart Water, Sofitel Philadelphia, GPhilly, Coors Light, DoubleTree by Hilton, The Prime Rib, VitaminWater Zero, terra, LinguiSearch, Uncles, Tavern on Camac, Sheraton Society Hill, Barefoot Wine, University of the Arts; Partner Sponsors: Wells Fargo, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, Sisters, Philadelphia Fight, Atlantic City Alliance, Queertimes.net, Café Nola, Stimulus Philadelphia, Tashan, Acquisit, The Contarino Association, Breaking Glass Pictures, QC Cinema, Allied Mortgage Group, North Shore Beach Club, The Havana Room; Patron Sponsors: Equality Forum, philadelphiafreedomband, William Way Community Center, phillygaycalendar.com, Resorts Atlantic City, Mauckingbird Theater Company, Mac’s Tavern Philadelphia, Philadelphia Parking Authority, Twisted Life, Philly AIDS Thrift, 12th Street Gym, Drexel University Antoinette Westphal College of Media, Arts & Design, MANdance, Optimal Sport Health Clubs, I-Candy, Drag Mafia, Liberty City Bears, Bike Stop, Woodmere Art Museum.
Facebook
Twitter
Event RSS Feed
Columns RSS Feed
Fine Art Festival Coming to Philadelphia in June 
Tuesday: Sponsorship for non-discrimination bills to hit new record
A New Hope tradition celebrates its first decade