Tuesday, January 23---The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) used the high profile media attention of the Sundance Film Festival to announce its nominees for the 18th GLAAD Media Awards, which honor film and television programs that have reinforced a position image of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. Hosting one of the liveliest events of the week at the Side Car Bar, the crowded festivities was the place to see and be seen for the many gay and gay-friendly industry insiders who are in town this week for the Sundance Film Festival.

The nominees included, for Outstanding Film-Wide Release, the indie sensation LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE; the adaptation of the Augusten Burroughs best-seller RUNNING WITH SCISSORS; Will Ferrel and Sacha Baron Cohen-starrer TALLADEGA NIGHTS; the Armistead Maupin thriller THE NIGHT LISTENER and the futuristic epic V FOR VENDETTA.

For Outstanding Film-Limited Release, GLAAD gave the nod to: the adaptation of the Tony Award-winning drama THE HISTORY BOYS; the UK relationship comedy IMAGINE ME AND YOU; last year's Sundance winner QUINCEANERA; the John Cameron Mitchell sex fest SHORTBUS and the German coming-out film SUMMER STORM.

GLAAD singled out the following documentaries: the Rosie O'Donnell starrer ALL ABOARD! ROSIE'S FAMILY CRUISE; the portrait of tennis legend BILLY JEAN KING: PORTRAIT OF A PIONEER; the transgender television documentary MY MUMS USED TO BE MEN; the Sundance Channel's original film ONE PUNK UNDER GOD; and the survey of the hypocrisy of the MPAA ratings board, THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED.

GLAAD also announced nominees for Drama Series, Comedy Series, Reality Programs, Television News Magazine and Individual Television Episode. The GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies will be held in New York on March 26, 2007 at the Marriott Marquis; in Los Angeles on April 14 at the Kodak Theatre; in San Francisco on April 28 at the Westin St. Francis; and in South Florida on May 10 at the JW Marriott Miami.

For the third consecutive year, the GLAAD Media Awards will be televised on Logo, MTV Networks' cable channel for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender viewers and their allies, on April 21, 2007.

Sandy Mandelberger
Sundance Online Dailies Editor