The Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, in its 21st year, will take place from Oct. 7 through Oct. 17.
Offering 37 different pictures, this years TIGLFF film series will open at 7:45 p.m. with Casper Andreas’ comedy Violet Tendencies, revolving around a woman trying to obtain a straight boyfriend by neglecting her gay friends.
On Sunday, Oct. 9 at 4.30 p.m., audiences will have a chance to see Kareem Mortimer’s Children of God.
The picture strikes a serious tone by depicting the hate crimes and unwelcoming treatment of the three homosexual protagonists.
Just one day later, I Killed My Mother will screen at 9:00 p.m.
The picture was written and directed by 21 year-old Xavier Dolan, who had a successful festival run and eventually earned three awards at last years Cannes Film Festival.
Naturally, all movies screened have some relation to the LGBT community, yet are intended to draw audiences of every sexual orientation.
Ticket prices are $9.50 each or $125 for the Crown Circle Pass, which includes admission to every film screened and a complimentary drink before each screening at Tampa Theatre.
A few pictures, such as Rob Epstein’s Ginsberg biopic Howl, will be screened at Muvico in St. Petersburg.
The lion’s share of the films, however, will be shown at Tampa Theatre.
John Thomas, board director of the festival, said “This is my seventh festival and this year really marks a shift in where things are headed, you can see it very clearly when you look at this year’s schedule.
GLBT film-makers at home and around the world are gaining access to more resources to tell their stories and you can see it in the production values across the board.”
JP Busche can be reached at jbusche@spartans.ut.edu.