We regret to inform you. We are unable to find a sponsor 2011 Queer West
Film Festival which was to be held Sat Aug 13th, 2011. The Revue Cinema
could no longer hold the date for us, as they were going to press with the August
calender.
We have decided instead to feature the twelve different LGBT films we selected
as winners for this years festival, on our web site quietly and without publicity..
The film selection was made by Michael F. Paré, ML.S
- M.Phil torontodigitalq@yahoo.ca
after reviewing over 700 films.
Our annual film festival will return again in August, 2012, hopefully in a
new location and with committed sponsorship. In the meantime make some popcorn,
get your favourite beverage, settle back for over 3 hrs of the best of Queer
Cinema.
Toronto Queer West Film Festival award winners for 2011
Non-Love-Song - short film (2009)
by Erik Gernand
A short film about two high school best friends on their last day of the summer
before heading apart for college. More than 45 festival screenings include SXSW,
Cinequest, Chicago International Film Festival, and Tel Aviv International LGBT
Film Festival where it was named Best International Short Film. Erik Gernand is an award-winning writer and filmmaker based in Chicago. His films have screened at more than 100 festivals around the world.www.erikgernand.com
The Boy Next Door
by Gregor Schmidinger 2010
A male prostitute, who struggles with anxiety attacks, runs into the neglected
son of his client. He has to care for the kid first in order to overcome his
own anxiety. Project web site: http://irrationalrealm.com/eine-seite/
You Can't Curry Love
by Reid Waterer 2009
A gay-themed short set in India. Official Selection of 50+ film festivals on
six continents. Winner of 7 Audience and Jury Awards. A little bit NSFW (not
safe for work). About the director: http://web.me.com/greenband/Site_6/REID_WATERER.html
Tears of the Goddess
by Wang Huiyue (China) 2006
Very few queer films are made on location in China. It's a treat to review
and select this one as a winner. While honouring the memory of her mother, a
young girl recalls her story of a tragic relationship with another girl which
was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. Film Director Wang Hui Yue,
is the head of the film department at Shanghai's Film Art Institute Run Time
14 minutes. Chinese English subtitles
The Death of Grandma Gladys
by Kate Lain 2008”
This short explores that age-old question, 'how does post-structuralism fit
into my family photo album?' with the help of the new christy minstrels and
roland barthes, kate attempts to make sense of her great-grandmother, of whom
only stories and curious photographs remain. Award: Director's choice award
- Black maria film + video festival. Screenings: Boston underground film festival
and Calgary Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival. About the director: katemakesfilms.com
Queer in Kansas
by Peter Max Lawrence 2008
A humourous look at the somber introspection of artist/director Peter Max Lawrence’past
life in Kansas and his present life in San Francisco. Lawrence is a maker of
things. He grew up in Kansas City, Kansas where he began organizing independent
exhibitions. His work has been presented internationally in galleries, museums
and private collections. Currently he is developing various personal projects
as well as collaborations with other musicians, writers, and visual artists.
Lawrence currently lives and works in San Francisco. Run time 17:54 about the
director: www.petermaxlawrence.com/biography
On the male side of middle
by Paul Neudorf 2011
A story of love, honesty and integrity, this film about female-to-male transgender
Mennonite Calvin Neufeld, captures a special moment in time between him and
his family. Filmed a year after he began transitioning and a year after marrying
his partner Sharon, this story shows how strong a family can be when they love,
care and listen to each other. Run Time: 12 minutes Paul Neudorf lives in Montreal
Quebec he has several years experience directing, producing, shooting and editing
video and won numerous awards. www.paulneudorf.com
Ties
by Baldvin Kári 2010
A friendship between two teenage boys is challenged when one of them crosses
a line. 3rd Prize at Reykjavík International Short Film Festival 2008. Kári
Baldvin Sveinbjörnsson was born in a family of filmmakers in Iceland. Kári has
worked on Icelandic television and film productions since 2002 in various positions,
ranging from stage manager and television host to assistant director and producer.
He has also produced and directed several of his own short films and music videos.
Alongside his work in film and television, Baldvin earned a BA degree in Philosophy
and Classics from the University of Iceland in 2006. He is currently pursuing
a MFA degree in filmmaking at Columbia University in New York, where he resides.
. www.facebook.com/perfectfilmproductions
Ivan
by Marko Popovic 2010
Alife-story of a young gay living in Belgrade, Serbia. The film was awarded
at Kosice Media Festival and screened at festivals in Prague, Toronto, Ljubljana,
Zagreb, Warsaw, New York etc. About the director www.markopopovic.com
Affinity (short gay / bisexual film)
by GuatGuy 2010
A film that tests the boundaries of love, "Affinity" revolves around
Anthony, a young man who loves both Danny and Kate, equally. In the span of
one morning, Anthony's double life is revealed by his own carelessness. The
gradual suspicions of his girlfriend Kate and an ill-timed call from Danny forces
Anthony to come clean and reveal his secret.Winner: AfterElton.com Short Film
Competition. Honorable mention: Wonder Women Short Film Competition. Official
selection: Oxford International Film Festival, GayCharlotte Film Festival. GuatGuy
lives Guatemala, works as a radio DJ with KissFM 977 and an instructor of film
& theatre.
Iranian, Gay & Seeking Asylum (Documentary)
by Glen Milner 2010
Iranian, Gay & Seeking Asylum is a moving insight into the lives of two
Gay Iranian men establishing new lives in the U.K after their partners were
captured and executed by the Iranian authorities due to their sexuality. Nominated
for Best Short Documentary at the Phoenix Film Festival and Winning Best LGBT
at The New York Short Film Festival, ‘Iranian, Gay and Seeking Asylum’ has been
included at festivals worldwide and broadcast in over 34 countries. Directed,
Shot & Produced by Glen Milner London based documentary and commercial director.glenmilner.com
Run Time 8 minutes
Coming out: Life as a gay Roma (Documentary)
by Nick Maslow 2010
"I chose this film as a Queer West Film Festival documentary winner,
because I am in a two year relationship with a Hungarian
Roma Refugee and fully understand the many difficulties gay Roma face both
here in Canada and abroad." (Michael F. Paré)
For Michael Miko, coming out as a gay man has been a decade-long experience.
Though he has a group of supportive friends in Prague, his main concern is bringing
disgrace upon his family in his small hometown in the Czech Republic where the
Roma population predominantly views homosexuality as a disease. But at this
point in his life, being honest with his family is his only choice. Roma in
Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Sloveni and Romania consider homosexuality
a shameful abomination and it is quite a rarity. It entails the definitive exclusion
of the individual from the Romany Community (in the past there was death penalty,
then replaced by the declaration of impurity and expulsion). About the director:
www.nickmaslow.com
