Reel Affirmations offers array of films celebrating LGBTQ stories – Washington Blade
Clear your schedules — Washington’s International LGBTQ Film Festival, Reel Affirmations, is returning for its 29th year of screenings on Oct. 20.
The festival will be held at the E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. N.W., from Oct. 20-23. Within the four-day-long span of festivities, there will be 14 feature-length films from nine countries, and 27 additional short films being streamed exclusively online.
Reel Affirmations has been screening movies that feature and support members of the LGBTQ community since 1991. The pandemic didn’t slow them down at all, as they received hundreds of films in 2021 and had to make the difficult choice of how to narrow them down to roughly 45. Out of those 45 films being shown, seven awards will be handed out to deserving participants. Those awards include the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature, the Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature, and Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature.
Notable films have remained a staple in Reel Affirmation’s lineup since its conception. Among films that have been screened there have been Academy Award-winning and nominated films, like “Moonlight,” and films that tell stories that create a bond between LGBTQ individuals. Some of those being featured this year include “#LookAtMe,” a film from Singapore about social media, religion, and activism; “Our Bodies are Beautiful,” from Argentina, addressing feminism, identity, and trans women; and “When Time Got Louder,” portraying the altering of family relationships after sexual awareness creates independence for LGBTQ members of the family.
“Filmmakers pushed the envelope to explore and celebrate LGBTQ+ stories long before television dared to mention taboo topics, and today we continue with this tradition through film festivals around the globe dedicated to exploring and expanding our understanding of each other, with humor and compassion”, says Director of Arts & Cultural Programs and Executive Director at the DC Center, Kimberley Bush.
In terms of affordability and accessibility, tickets for both in-person showings and online streaming are available. A single live screening ticket is $15 for in person, $10 for streaming, and you can bundle and save by buying three live screenings for $60 or six for $55. If you want to watch all 27 virtual shorts, you can pay a flat fee of $125, and if you want to watch all of the live and virtual shows, it’ll be $175.
Here’s the schedule for the weekend:
Thursday, Oct. 20:
7 p.m., “When Time Got Louder” from director Connie Cocchia
This drama runs 80 minutes and addresses the story of Abbie, a college-aged girl who leaves her family to explore her independence and sexuality. While Abbie’s away she realizes she’s torn between her love for her brother who has autism and her new life away from the family.
8 p.m., “All Man: The International Male Story” from directors Bryan Darling and Jesse Finley Reed
Gene Burkard found freedom in San Diego, away from his closeted self in the Midwest, by transforming male fashion into something cosmopolitan, trend setting, and carefree. International Male reached both gay and straight demographics, generating revenue from the refined new images of masculinity. This documentary tells the story of a band of outsiders who changed the way men looked at each other and their own image.
Friday, Oct. 21:
7 p.m., “Nelly and Nadine” from director Magnus Gertten
Two women fall in love in the Ravensbruck concentration camp in this 92-minute documentary. On Christmas Eve 1944, Nadine and Nelly fell in love, and despite being separated during the last few months of the war, they reunited and spend the rest of their lives together. Despite hiding their love story from most friends and family, Nelly’s granddaughter is now uncovering their remarkable story.
9 p.m., “Waking Up Dead or Look At Me” from director Terracino
The first comedy of the weekend kicks off with a bang. Hot-shot, destructive, and all-around mess Danny Maldonado was conquering Hollywood. Cut to a few years later and he’s been dumped by his boyfriend, his career has flatlined, and his long-estranged mother is dying. When he’s given a second chance, Danny vows to clean up his act, but will he follow through?
Saturday, Oct. 22:
12 p.m., “Smalltown Pride” from directors Riley Sparks and Chelle Turingan
Filmed in Alberta, Nova Scotia, this documentary depicts the struggles and joys of growing up queer in a small town. The crew follows a group of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies as they prepare for their local Pride celebrations. Meeting in church basements, various kitchen tables, and some classrooms, the group prepares to take on a conservative town council that won’t even fly a rainbow flag. By working together they aim to create a mutual love and acceptance between everyone in their community.
2 p.m., “Maybe Someday,” from director Michelle Ehlen
A non-binary photographer in their 40s attempts to move across the country to start their life over again during their separation from their wife. In this 91-minute comedy, Jay, the photographer, takes a detour to see their high school best friend (and former crush). Throughout the film Jay struggles with the cycles of love, loss, and letting go.
4 p.m., “Pat Rocco Dared,” from director Charlie David
This documentary reclaims the story of the “King of the Nudies,” Pat Rocco, and shows how Rocco is much more than his erotic filmmaking career — he’s the whole Hollywood package.
6 p.m., “Prognosis – notes on living,” from directors Debra Chasnoff and Kate Stilley Steine
Oscar-winning filmmaker Debra Chasnoff steps in front of the camera in this 80-minute documentary about her struggle with a deadly diagnosis. Emotionally raw, funny, and profoundly intimate and the key elements to her story about life and letting go.
8 p.m., “Manscaping,” from director Broderick Fox
A Black American visual artist, Australian fetish barber/porn producer, and transgender Canadian barber are followed in this documentary detailing the reinvention of the traditional barbershop and restyling masculinity.
9:30 p.m., “Blessed Boys,” from director Silvia Brunelli
Two 18-year-old friends, Milo and Lino, were raised in the same small town for their entire lives, never stepping outside the comforts of their hometowns. That is, until Lino’s little sister claims to be a saint and miracle-worker, and Milo takes a step back to revaluate his routine life, and his feelings for Lino.
Sunday, Oct.23:
12 p.m., “A Run For More,” from director Ray Whitehouse
This documentary follows the first openly elected transgender official in Texas. Frankie Gonzales-Wolfe finds her voice, questions her relationship to the community, and tries to win an election in this film, shot over four years.
2 p.m., “Our Bodies Are Your Battlefield,” from director Isabelle Solas
This Argentinean documentary follows the lives of Claudia and Violeta, trans women who identify as transvestites in the deep divide of feminist Argentineans and conservatives. They find themselves in the center of this socio-political revolution, and present their fight to love and stay alive.
4 p.m., “Being Thunder” from director Stephanie Lamorre
This documentary follows Sherente, a two spirit-genderqueer teenager from Rhode Island’s Narragansett tribe. Sherente performs in traditional dance competitions at regional pow-wows. Sherente wears traditional female dresses, but behind the scenes the tribal leaders manipulate the scores or disqualify him, just because of their beliefs in traditional gender roles.
6 p.m., “#LookAtMe,” from director Ken Kwek
Teenagers Rocky and Sean are invited to church with Sean’s girlfriend. When they arrive they are hit with a searing anti-LGBTQ sermon. Sean, a YouTuber, posts a video criticizing the pastor, and lands himself in the public eye of Singapore’s strict public expression laws. While he remains in prison, his gay twin brother Ricky makes a name for himself as a prominent LGBTQ activist.