SIFF: 25 Gay Films & Gay-la Highlight Seattle’s Film Festival

In what is being called “an astounding array of LGBT-interest films in nearly every section of the Festival”, SIFF ticketing has officially opened. Coined LGBT@SIFF, this year’s Seattle International Film Festival will have plenty to choose from.

In a standout selection of 25 films from 14 countries, including a World Premiere, a US Premiere, and five North American Premieres, SIFF’s LGBT-interest films span the genre and the globe. The fabulous 2009 Gay-la presents the delightful Swedish film Patrik Age 1.5, directed by Ella Lemhagen, about a young gay couple and their quest to adopt a child.

Just some of the highlights include Telstar, about an eccentric, tone-deaf, songwriter-producer who becomes a rock-and-roll institution; City of Borders, about a Jerusalem gay bar where community is built despite external conflicts; Miao Miao, about a multi-sexual love triangle; The Baby Formula, about a lesbian couple trying to get pregnant without the use of male sperm; Fig Trees, a saga about two of the patron saints of AIDS activism; and Little Joe, a down and dirty tale of the legendary sex icon and Warhol superstar.

The SIFF “Gay-la” features Patrik Age 1.5 (Sweden, 2008)

What a difference punctuation can make. Because of a stray decimal, the child that a gay couple thinks will be their newly adopted 18-month-old son is actually a troubled, homophobic 15-year-old. Director Ella Lemhagen treats the dramatic subjects of adoption and bigotry with humor, intelligence, and a dash of romance.

The Gay-la will take place on Thursday, May 28, at the Egyptian Theatre at 7:30pm with a Gay-la after party at Neighbours nightclub to follow. Tickets to the film and Gay-la party are $25–includes film entry, admission to Neighbours, hors d’oeuvres, and two complimentary cocktails. Film only tickets are $11 ($9 SIFF Supporters).

LGBT@SIFF FEATURES:
American Primitive (USA, 2009) – June 12, 13
The Baby Formula (Canada, 2008) – June 2, 5, 6.
Baby Love (France, 2008) – May 22, 25
Boy (Philippines, 2009) – June 1, 5
Captive (Russia, 2008) – May 23, 31
Chef’s Special (Spain, 2008) – May 23, 25
City of Borders (USA, 2009) – May 29, 30
The Country Teacher (Czech Republic, 2008) – June 4, 6
Every Little Step (USA, 2008) – June 13
Everything Strange and New (USA, 2009) June 4, 6
Fig Trees (Canada, 2009) – May 23, 26
Fruit Fly (USA, 2008) – June 7, 9
Give Me Your Hand (France, 2008) June 11, 14
An Island Calling (New Zealand/Fiji, 2008) – May 25, 27
La Mission (USA, 2009) – May 30, 31
Little Joe, (USA, 2009) – June 6, 7
Miao Miao (Hong Kong/Taiwan, 2008) – May 29, June 2
Pop Star On Ice (USA, 2009) – May 24, June 5
Prodigal Sons (USA, 2008) – June 3, 6
Raging Sun, Raging Sky (Mexico, 2009) – May 24, June 1
Tears of April (Finland, 2009) – June 4, 7, 14
Telstar (United Kingdom, 2008) – May 30, June 14
A Woman’s Way (Greece, 2009) – May 29, 31
ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction (USA, 2009) – June 2, 4

Also don’t miss any of these great short films:

The Cock Collage (85 minutes) short film package – May 30:

575 Catro Street (7 Minutes) – Harvey Milk’s “Read this in the event of my death” recording played against footage of the Milk set. A dual meditation on the power of history. (Also plays with City of Borders on May 29 & 30)
Atlantico (Brazil, 12 minutes) – From an artist’s studio to a distant island, two stranded lovers remember their lives in-between.
The Back Room (USA, 16 minutes) – Errol’s humdrum life changes when a stranger bursts into his bookstore in search of an intriguing request.
Second Guessing Grandma (USA, 10 minutes) – Your boyfriend and mother are pushing you to come out to your Grandma, but her reaction may actually surprise you.
Thirteen or so Minutes (USA, 14 minutes) – For Hugh and Lawrence, it’s 13 or so minutes later, and now everything has changed.
Twoyoungmen, UT. (USA, 17 minutes) – When Will meets Eli in a Salt Lake City gay bar, they take the long road home together.
Yuri (Netherlands, 9 minutes) – A 60-something German dancer with a secret desire to sire a child chooses a unique wallpapering style.

Also James (Ireland, 17 minutes) plays with the “Disclosures” short film series. “With his parents’ marriage breaking apart, James reveals his most personal secret to his teacher and only friend.”

And for the girls, One Night (USA, 13 minutes) plays with the “World of Possibilities” short film series. “A misguided girl’s questionable attempt to connect with someone leads to a surprising turnabout.”

So many movies, so little time. And some will sell out!
Go here for SIFF tickets, ASAP!