The 24th Connecticut Gay & Lesbian
Film Festival will be held May 26 through June 4, 2011

Two women who share one steamy, unforgettable night in a gorgeous hotel room in Rome. An Israeli youth who becomes a famous drag performer while obsessively searching for the mother who abandoned him. A British couple who puts their love life online when their household finances are on the line. Two women who reconnect 50 years after their lives took separate paths. An idealistic hottie who thinks he can make it in L.A. without selling out. A no-nonsense, tough-as-nails but deeply caring queer British teacher who guides teenage students as they struggle with life and love. These are just some of the characters who will light up the silver screen during the 10-day 24th Annual Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, presented by Out Film CT, May 26 through June 4.

"We have a very strong lineup of feature films, documentaries and shorts that will appeal to many tastes and a wide range of people," said festival director Shane Engstrom. "There truly is something in the festival for everybody - men, women, transgender, the younger set as well as older audiences. The festival committee picked the very best films available that reflect the diversity of our community."

Kicking off the festival Thursday, May 26, is Romeos, which tells the story of Lukas, a transgender male on the cusp of discovering his identity as a gay man, pursuing the local bad boy.  It's a film about love, friendship, sexual awakening and what it means to be human.

Friday, May 27 is the festival Opening Weekend Gala night featuring Room in Rome, a film that explores what can happen when two women meet and share a hotel room for just one incredible night. Lesbians will get caught up in the film's passion. Gay men won't want to miss the stunning room. And everyone will want to stay for the gala reception.

True-blue Connecticut movie fans won't want to miss a special "sneak preview" of the Connecticut-based The Green, Saturday, May 28. This gripping drama tells the story of a school teacher who is accused of engaging in "inappropriate behavior" with a male student. The all-star cast includes Jason Butler Harner (Changeling, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3), Cheyenne Jackson (30 Rock, Glee), Julia Ormond (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Legends of the Fall) and Illeana Douglas (Goodfellas, Ghost World).

The festival's Centerpiece film, Gun Hill Road, screening Thursday, June 2, explores the fragile dynamics of a family in transition.  When a father returns home from prison, he discovers that his son isn't the same little boy he once knew.  A free reception, sponsored by Pratt & Whitney, precedes the film. 

Closing the festival Saturday, June 4, is Going Down in LA-LA Land, which tells the story of the earnest young actor Adam who struggles to find success and happiness in Tinseltown. When his career takes a detour into hustling and porn, he finds the man who could be the love of his life - an A-list closeted celebrity. Film Director Casper Andreas is expected to host a question and answer session with the audience after the film, immediately followed by the closing night party with food, beverages, music and dancing into the wee hours.

The festival includes several powerful documentaries that shed light on the LGBT community's history as well as current events. Gen Silent examines the discrimination that some older LGBT people face in hospitals and nursing homes. The Sons of Tennessee Williams takes us into the world of gay Mardi Gras culture in late 1950s New Orleans. The World's Worst Place to Be Gay? shows us the unbelievable persecution faced by the LGBT citizens of Uganda. Sundance favorite We Were Here examines the impact of AIDS on the San Francisco community and how some very brave individuals coped with an unprecedented calamity.
 
All festival screenings are at Cinestudio on the campus of Trinity College, 300 Summit Street, in Hartford.  Select screenings include a question and answer session with filmmakers.  Prior to screenings and during intermissions, festival guests can enjoy a silent auction and bid on a wide range of exciting items, including travel, fine dining, artwork, spa packages and much more.

Films are shown nightly at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on weekends at 2 or 3 p.m., plus a late afternoon screening Saturday, June 28 at 5 p.m. Ticket prices are $9 for general admission and $7 for students and seniors - except for opening and closing gala screenings, which are $15 for general admission and $12 for students and seniors; gala admission price includes the films, food, beverages and musical entertainment.  Three-show passes and full Festi-passes (14 shows) are also available for $23 and $75 respectively. Tickets are available online at www.OutFilmCT.org and can also be purchased at the door.

On Friday and Saturday evenings plan to come hungry. Delicious gourmet salads and light meals from The Kitchen at Billings Forge (May 27 & 28) and The Spot Eatery (June 3 & 4) will be available at the festival's Cinema Café starting at 6 p.m.

For the full festival lineup, film descriptions and trailers, visit www.OutFilmCT.org.

Out Film CT is a nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to presenting outstanding LGBT cinema and other theatrical events throughout the year, culminating in the 10-day Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.  As Connecticut's longest-running film festival, it has become a distinctive fixture in our state's cultural landscape, bringing the community together to introduce, celebrate and rediscover the ideas and values that make the LGBT community unique.

For more information, call 860-586-1136, or visit www.OutFilmCT.org.

Out Film CT
Presenting Outstanding Queer Cinema since 1988
www.OutFilmCT.org PO Box 231191, Hartford, CT 06123-1191 (860) 586-1136

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