Albuquerque, NM (September 24, 2011)-- The 9TH Annual Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, sponsored by Xfinity, Effex, New Mexico Tourism and the McCune Foundation kicks-off on October 7 with an exciting celebration of more than 60 entries, including short films, documentaries and feature-length films from the USA, Israel, Australia, Europe and South America. The Festival, which is produced by Closet Cinema and will run through October 13, has become both the largest film festival in Albuquerque and the most supported and fastest growing film happening in the state of New Mexico.

The excitement begins on October 7 with the screening of GUN HILL ROAD, a complex and moving drama by director Rashaad Ernesto Green. The feature was an official 2011 Sundance Film Festival selection dealing with a family in transition, with strong performances by Esai Morales (CAPRICA) Judy Reyes (OZ, SCRUBS) and newcomer Harmony Santana. The 7 p.m. screening will be followed by an opening night party at Bailey’s On The Beach.

The international flair of the greatest little GLBT film festival in the Southwest continues with this year's International Centerpiece film MARY LOU, which screens October 11 at the Guild Cinema. Directed by Eytan Fox (JOSSI AND JAGGER, THE BUBBLE) MARY LOU, is considered the Israeli GLEE, with equal parts of PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT and MAMA MIA. A fun and compelling story that rises above it’s sugar coating to tell a story of love, life and being true to oneself…all set to music!

Closing the festival is from the director of the iconic indie flick RUN LOLA RUN. Tom Tykwer’s latest film, THREE, explores the nature of bisexuality, love and longing in cosmopolitan Berlin. The Closing Night party will follow the screening of THREE at La Provence.

Also headlining this year’s festival is CIRCUMSTANCE, which won this year’s audience award at the Sundance Film Festival, Margaret Cho’s newest concert film, CHO DEPENDENT, country artist Chely Wright’s coming out documentary WISH ME AWAY and Latin American Showcase ABSENT from Argentina.

Before you get your film noir on, don’t forget to stop by the Nob Hill Bar and Grill for some good old Southwest people watching at the annual Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival “Queer Brunch” on Sunday, October 9th. Enjoy complimentary refreshing mimosas, before you race over to the Guild Cinema for the screening of this year's best in queer cinema, which will be showing throughout the day!

In addition to all the great films, parties and celebrity appearances, the SWGLFF will once again feature the ever-popular Audience Awards, where attendees can vote for the best films of the festival. So come out and enjoy, socialize, and be part of one of the biggest GLBT events of the year!

This year’s Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival venues include the Guild Cinema, the Bank Of America Theatre, and the Southwest Film Center at the University of New Mexico. Festival passes, punch cards and tickets will be available to purchase beginning September 23 at: Self Serve in Nob Hill at 3904B Central Avenue SE, in Albuquerque and online at www.closetcinema.org.

Program guides with complete information, schedule of films and events will be at the ticket outlet and other locations. For more information about the 9th Annual Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, visit www.closetcinema.org or call 505-243-1870.