Frank J. Avella’s Film Column QFEST QFEST 2010 July 8th - July 19th, 2010 Ritz Theaters Old City Philadelphia.       Opposite Photo: Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl

At Sweet Sixteen, Simply the Best!

If you want to see the best in gay and lesbian cinema get your butt down to Philly between July 8th and July 19th for the 16th annual Qfest, 12 days of absolutely fabulous LGBTQ screenings and programs and special events, oh my!

The slate of films this year is the most impressive yet proving that Qfest is the most abundant and exciting Queer film festival on the east coast boasting 125 films from over 25 countries.

Nicole Conn's Elena Undone

The festivities kick off with not one but TWO Opening Night screenings: Nicole Conn’s (Claire of the Moon) romantic coming out drama, Elena Undone as well as Philly’s own Jay Arnold (last year’s entry: The Big Gay Musical) writing, directing and producing You Can’t Have It All featuring an all star cast which includes soap star John Lindstrom and sitcom diva Wendie Malick (now on TVland with Hot in Cleveland).

The Festival’s closing night feature is Flight of the Cardinal, a thriller set in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina, directed by Robert Gaston, another Philly native.

Casper Andrea's Violet Tendancies

Xavier Dolan’s I Killed My Mother

Eight Centerpiece screenings include: Joseph Graham’s gritty and engrossing Strapped; prolific helmer Casper Andrea’s funny and off-beat Violet Tendencies starring Mindy Cohn (TV’s The Facts of Life); Xavier Dolan’s controversial and supremely impressive Cannes hit, I Killed My Mother and a documentary on a little known lesbian heroine, The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister.

In addition, the Festival boasts documentaries on Candy Darling, William S. Burroughs and Jean-Michel Basquiat as well as offering a look into the world of poet Allen Ginsberg as portrayed by James Franco in Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman’s Howl co-starring Jon Hamm, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeff Daniels and David Strathairn about the poet, poem and obscenity trial that followed it’s publication.

For fans of the divine Barbra Streisand, Qfest offers BarbraPalooza which includes a screening of Funny Girl as well as the amazing Steven Brinberg bringing his Simply Barbra show to Philly live just for Qfest.

Todd Verow's Deleted Scenes

Isabel Luna's Ticked-Off Trannies

Divisive filmmaker Todd Verow (Frisk, Between Something and Nothing) is back with Deleted Scenes, an edgy look at a dysfunctional relationship. Brazil’s Aluisio Abranches offers his take on incestuous love in the controversial From Beginning to End. Camp meets b-movie diva bitches in Israel Luna’s Ticked-Off Trannies with Knives, a film already condemned by GLAAD. And that’s just naming a few offerings.

There is something for everyone at Qfest. Visit qfest.com and immerse yourself in the diverse and delicious selection of films. Then order your tickets and enjoy!

QFest 2010 begins July 8th and ends July 19th with all screenings at the Ritz Theaters in Old City Philadelphia. www.qfest.com

STARTING JUNE 18:
Online: www.qfest.com
By Phone: 267.765.9800 x4
10am-5pm daily (June 18-20)
10am-7pm daily (June 21-July 7)
10am-9pm daily (beginning July 8)