I want to quickly take a moment to suggest a few films for tonight. I haven’t been posting with my usual regularity, because life has been pretty hectic since the film festival started, and by hectic I mean booze and Qdoba fueled. I’ve had the time of my life, and I’ve never felt this way before, but if I still feel this way next week, I’m calling a doctor.
What’s so exciting about tonight is that Thursday kicks off the Festival’s return to West Seattle, with screenings at the charming and historic Admiral Theater at 2343 California Ave SW in West Seattle. This also means the schedule gets interesting from here on out, because with three venues at one time, some tough choices are going to have to be made. However choices are by nature a good thing, and likewise they are a sign that the queer film scene is a robust reflection of the many voices in the LGBTQ community. That still isn’t going to make deciding what to see any easier.
Skinnyfat directed by Andy Bydalek
This picture is about a pair of “twinks” who freak out when they hit their late 20s and have to start watching their weight. The reason I put twinks in quotation marks is that these guys are cute and funny, and real-life twinks are little nightmares. Suspension of disbelief aside the duo’s dabbling in bulimia and unconventional ab workouts looks like a real gut buster. Watch trailer here
6 PM at Northwest Film Forum, screens with Go Go Reject by Michael J. Saul
Children of God directed by Kareem Mortimer
If you find yourself curious about gay life in the Bahamas, you definitely won’t want to miss this feature about a fantastically good looking inter-racial couple dealing with violent homophobia and other messy social ills in the island nation. 7:30 PM at the Egyptian (Capitol Hill)
At 9:30 director Kareem Mortimer will attend the post-screening reception at Barrio (1420 12th Ave), and you’ll be surprised that such an adorable young guy could create such an intense film.
The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls directed by Leanne Pooley
After selling out twice during SIFF, this much beloved documentary returns to Seattle. The premise is only part of the charm: twin sisters, from New Zealand, both lesbians and their multi-decade folk singing, comedy, yodeling, and protest song variety act. The real charm is the sisters’ unflappable sense of humor in the face of adversity. Watch the trailer here and if you can get through it without wanting to cry, you are a stronger man than me.
7:30 PM at the Admiral Theater (West Seattle)
The West-Seattle kick-off reception at Heartland Café (4210 Southwest Admiral Way) will follow the screening at 9. We can shoot pool and play pull-tabs, so you know it’s gonna be fun.
All About Us – the local shorts program
If you want to show your support for local film-making, and undoubtedly rub shoulders with a few local film-makers, you will want to check out this short film collection. From the dearly missed Bailey Coy Books, to the uber masculine boys of Quake Rugby, to lesbians and their damn chain wallets, these films run the gamut of local issues and expressions. Check out the whole program here.
7:30 PM at Northwest Film Forum
Ryan is sponsorship manager for Three Dollar Bill Cinema, presenters of the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival and a freelance contributor to Seattle Gay Scene
