THE FRAMELINE FILM FEST HAS LIGHTED UP SAN FRANCISCO #pinkbits

A BITE OUT OF OUR PINK WORLD www.pinkinourlives.com

Founded in 1977, the San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival is the longest-running, largest, and most widely recognized LGBTQ film exhibition event in the world. Frameline’s mission is to change the world through the power of queer cinema. As a media arts non-profit, Frameline’s programs connect filmmakers and audiences in San Francisco and around the world.

In the Bay Area from June 18-28th Frameline39 united diverse communities for 11 days of innovative and socially relevant cinema through pioneering documentaries, gripping features, delightful shorts, cinematic classics, and more. This year with a special focus on works by women filmmakers.

From 1986 there is also “The Frameline Award”. This award

is given every year to a person or entity that has made a major contribution to LGBTQ representation in film, television, or the media arts. Comedien Margaret Cho, actor George Takei, distributor Wolfe Studios and Drag queen Divine are past honorees. This year the award went to Jeffrey Schwarz. He is born in 1969 and is a filmmaker and producer based in Los Angeles, California. His latest documentary feature is 2015’s Tab Hunter Confidential, about the life of actor Tab Hunter.

Here are but a few highlights among the films that screened at this year’s festival:
Opener: “I Am Michael”; James Franco and Zachary Quinto star in director Justin Kelly’s controversial film based on the true story of Michael Glatze, a former San Francisco-based gay rights activist who renounced homosexuality and became (and remains) an antigay born-again Christian.

54: The Director’s Cut:

The Summer of Sangaile: Director Alanté Kavaïté creates a compelling tale of a brooding teen, her sexual awakening, and her first love.

Out to Win: Director Malcolm Ingram’s film explores the lives and struggles of LGBT sports legends including Martina Navratilova, David Kopay, Jason Collins, Brittney Griner, and Billy Bean.

Seed Money: The Chuck Holmes Story: Michael Stabile’s film tells the seldom-heard story of Falcon Studios founder Chuck Holmes, who revolutionized the gay porn industry and went on to become one of the gay community’s most influential philanthropists.

Stories of Our Lives: From director Jim Chuchu and a 10-person artist collective comes an anthology of narrative short films based on true stories about queer life in Kenya, where homophobia is institutionalized.

Filmmakers, stars, and San Francisco luminaries turned out for the 2015 Frameline International Film Festival. Movies like Bare and 54: The Director’s Cut stirred much interest at the 39th Frameline. Check out some of the people who supported LGBT film in the world’s gay capital.