Nearly 1,000 people filled the James L. Knight Center in Downtown Miami for the Gala Opening Night screening of Craig Lucas’ The Dying Gaul marking the opening of the 7th Annual Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.

Diva of Ceremonies, the legendary Bea Arthur, kicked off the festivities in a sumptuous black chiffon gown, joined on stage by pianist Billy Goldenberg. Ms. Arthur regaled the audience with a glimpse of her acclaimed one-woman show and brought the audience to their feet for three standing ovations. Her performance rounded out with a rendition of her famed “Mame” song ‘The Man in the Moon is a Lady.’ Just before, Director of Festival Operations Jaie Laplante and the Chairman of the Board of Directors Michael Toomey officially opened the 7th annual MGLFF with welcoming remarks and thank yous.

Festival Program Director Carol Coombes came on stage in a dazzling vintage gold pant suit. Coombes then introduced the filmmaker from The Dying Gaul, director Craig Lucas. Lucas spoke about the fact that this was the first time the film had ever show before a gay audience and how proud he was as an openly gay director to have that privilege.

The after party at the Bank of America Sky Lobby was the Festival’s most exciting Opening Gala to date. Audiences arrived in the massive space to a lavish silent auction featuring an Air Canada $18,000 vacation to Asia. MGLFF Chairman Michael Toomey made the draw at precisely 12 midnight, and took Peter Grigsby's name out of the box. Congratulations, Peter! The weather was beautiful, a perfect Miami spring evening as guests enjoyed delicious food & drink!

Produced by Absolut and Bruce Barbaree of Elements Event Couture the party under the stars was an extravagant affair. The Bank of America Tower was completely illuminated in a light lavender in honor of the festival and as guests walked into the party a massive ice sculpture of the famed Dying Gaul statue greeted them. Throughout the evening performers and mimes on giant stilts walked through the crowds and danced to the sounds of DJ Oren Nizri.

The countdown continues for the upcoming Gala Centerpiece screening of Summer Storm on Wednesday, April 27th at the Byron-Carlyle Theater with its sexy boy cast. Don’t miss the amazing after party at the Shane Watersports Center with sexy members of the Miami Beach Rowing club greeting guests.