ALBUQUERQUE and SANTA FE, NM-- The Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, sponsored by Here! and Sky Vodka and produced by Closet Cinema, kicks off its 2007 run on September 28 and wraps up on October 4. Venues this year include the historic Guild Cinema, the Southwest Film Center, UA Highridge and, for the first time, the Kimo Theatre in downtown Albuquerque. Santa Fe filmgoers will be treated to screenings at the UA DeVargas. With 75 feature-length and short film entries from 19 countries around the world, the festival has become both the largest film festival in Albuquerque and the most supported and fastest growing film happening in the state of New Mexico.
Opening SWGLFF this year is THE BUBBLE, an Israeli film about forbidden love on the wrong sides of war. Following the film, Nob Hill is the place to be as the Opening Night Party rocks Albuquerque’s most Social Club, kicking the festival off with a bang!
This year’s centerpiece film, SAVE ME, was filmed in New Mexico and stars Chad Allen as a sex and drug addicted gay man sent to a Christian "rehabilitation" center bent on turning him straight. Co-starring Judith Light and Robert Gant, and screening at the Kimo Theatre, it is sure to be one of the most talked-about events of SWGLFF 2007!
The crowd-and-critic favorite SHELTER closes the festival, playing at the Guild on October 4. Immediately following is the closing night bash at Laru Ni Hati.
In between these films are 7 days of something for everyone: high camp, serious drama, and multiple opportunities to socialize at near-nightly parties. Back for a second year is the ever-popular Audience Awards, where attendees can vote for the best films of the festival. A festival first is the presence of actors and actresses from some of the films--SAVE ME stars Robert Gant and Chad Allen will be in attendance at the Kimo screening and the follow up party at the District. The fantastic Guinevere Turner will also be at this year’s festival, promoting her role in the hilarious ITTY BITTY TITTY COMMITTEE.
Festival Director Roberto Appicciafoco says the fabulous fifth year is by far the biggest and best SWGLFF yet. "Becoming one of the largest film festivals in the state of New Mexico after just five short years shows the level of commitment of New Mexicans to GLBT issues. I’m excited to have stars like Chad Allen, Robert Gant and Guinevere Turner here to help celebrate our half-decade of showcasing great GLBT cinema."
The returning Audience Awards, a festival favorite, would not have been possible this year without the generous sponsorship of Albuquerque Film Office, NMAS, Steve Benoit, and MPower.
Festival passes, punch cards and tickets will be available to purchase, beginning September 14, at Burning Paradise Video, 800 Central Avenue SW, and Self Serve Sexuality Resource Center, 3904B Central Avenue SE, in Albuquerque. The Santa Fe box office will be located at Backroad Pizza, 1807 2nd Street. New for 2007 is the option of purchasing tickets online! Program guides with complete ticket information, schedule of films and events can be found at ticket outlets and other locations. For more information about the
2007 Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, visit
www.closetcinema.org or call 505-243-1870.See you at the movies!