ImageOut Goes Digital!

For the first time, ImageOut will be renting a Digibeta deck for the festival. This means that the video projection of the films will be much clearer and the resolution is much higher. So you'll have a better experience watching the films on video. I know some people stay away from films that are not on 35mm print but hopefully, going digital will convince them to give some of our films on video a try.

Of course, this is an extra expense that ImageOut did not have in our 2008 budget. But it is a good move for our audiences and for me -- most films on video are on digibeta and some filmmakers and distributors demand that their films be screened in this format.

ImageOut 16 is definitely going to be a great film-going experience!

Jes Gonzalez's Pick

"Four Minutes - Possibly my favorite movie this year; the protagonist, Jenny, is a mix of violence and virtuosity. From moment to moment in the film you see an interplay of pain, rage, suspicion, and longing. Add to this some fantastic piano pieces and the tension-filled relationship between her and the teacher, and you are left guessing through out ... yet completely satisfied in the end."
~ Jez Gonzalez

Michael Gamilla's Picks

This is a good year to be adventurous with your film choices!

THE AMAZING TRUTH ABOUT QUEEN RAQUELA and EBONY CHUNKY LOVE: BITCH CAN'T GET A DATE are two films that exemplify the maturity and diversity of this year’s film lineup – and they are also quite easy to miss, due in part to the relative unpopularity of their genre and topics.

I love QUEEN RAQUELA for its daring technique and unique perspective. But what makes it special is its ability to mesmerize its audiences with its unpredictability – you just never know what the charming Raquela is going to do next. It’s also one really entertaining film, and just for the record, it is NOT a documentary!

EBONY CHUNKY LOVE manages to be both funny and insightful at the same time. The popular radio personality Keith Price is simply a barrel of laughter. I wish I had him on speed dial for moments when my spirit needs lifting up! He also speaks to everyone when he challenges the popular notion of what’s gay and beautiful. Honey, you just need to believe that you are fab just as you are!

~ Michael Gamilla, Programming Co-chair

Jessica Wilkie's Picks

"Of course I am encouraging everyone I know to get their hands on a full-festival pass, but if someone can only get to a few films this year, I would highly recommend Steam. I love the crafty integration of seemingly disparate lives of the three main characters, and the comment that many different kinds of people have more in common that we may think. Of course, an all-star (Ally Sheedy and award-winning actress Ruby Dee) cast of strong and fabulous females doesn’t hurt either! To Each Her Own is also a favorite of mine with cute and easy-to-identify with characters, and a storyline filled with twists and turns, drama and tenderness. I cannot wait to see Ready? OK! on the big screen. I think main character Josh’s zest for life is highly infectious and will have our festival audience cheering out loud. I also can’t wait to see everyone’s reaction to the young man’s Halloween costume!"
~ Jessica Wilkie, Programming Co-chair

Confirmed! Hannah Hogan & Tracy Rae Of 'To Each Her Own'

Actresses Hannah Hogan and Tracy Rae will be joining director Heather Tobin at the screening of their film, the touching drama To Each Her Own, on Sunday, October 12th at 9:30pm at the Little Theatre.

Don't forget to stop by the ImageOut office on your way home from work to purchase your festival tickets in person tonight from 6:00-8:00pm, or online any time through Wednesday October 8th at 5:00pm. Tickets are selling fast, so pick yours up today!

Mingling with VIPs

One of my FAVORITE parts of the festival is attending a screening with special guests. It is always a treat to meet filmmakers and performers of all kinds, but watching THEIR film with THEM is even better than a simple meet and greet. Even though I have seen almost every film in this year's lineup during our selection process, I am jumping at the chance to see Sex Positive and To Each Her Own with our guests.

Richard Berkowitz (the subject of Sex Positive) is a fascinating and inspiring man and an admirable activist. I can't wait to ask him questions about the public appearances he made along side leaders of the religious right without taking a swing!

I became a friend of director Heather Tobin's Myspace page as soon as we had her film (To Each Her Own) booked. I am a big fan of this movie for its honesty and Tobin's ability to confront difficult situations and the complexities of life, love, and personal identity. It will be exciting to talk to her about it all. I also hear a few of the lead actresses may be in attendance as well. I wonder which ones?

Questions? Comments?

Please do not hesitate to use the comments section to ask questions about the Festival and/or the films. We will get back to you shortly. And buy your tickets before it's too late!

Sam Roberts Benefit

I went to the benefit for our dear Sammy last night in Greece (I thought I would get lost!) and it was fab! Sam has been with ImageOut Programming even before I started volunteering. So the committee really missed watching films with him this year -- not to mention the big help in writing program blurbs! Great to see Jess W, Rita and Adam, as well as former IO programmers Kevin F, Kevin I, and my ex-co-chair J. I heard Amy S was there too but I missed her.

We wish you well Sam!

Learn More about ANTONIO'S SECRET

Filipino filmmaker Joselito (Jay) Altarejos is set to attend ImageOut 16 to reveal more of ANTONIO'S SECRET, one of our ImageOut There! feature selections. Applying for a US travel visa in the Philippines is never an easy task. You have to produce all kinds of supporting documentation before the US Consulate grants you a visa ... if you are lucky. So I'm quite pleased that an official invite from the Festival was able to facilitate the procurement of the necessary travel documents for Jay that will allow him to attend the International Premiere of his film here in Rochester. ImageOut is just soooo international!

I would love to just sit down with Jay and have a quick update on the state of filmmaking in the Philippines. I haven't been back there for 12 years. And going by the screeners I have been receiving from Filipino filmmakers and distributors, it has gotten quite progressive. Back then, flashing female breasts on the big screen was already a huge deal and frontal nudity, especially of the male kind, was just unthinkable. I remember when the closest thing to a legitimate homosexual storyline in movies (and I don't count the flamboyant and stereotypical portrayals of screaming queens in the fashion and beauty industries) is two men bonding behind prison bars.

So it's quite refreshing to see my "pinoy" brothers going at it with gusto onscreen. Even more impressive to me that actors are willing to drop trou and show their, as the great Lady Chablis calls them, tootsie rolls for the sake of art (at least that's what I think they are doing it for). And ANTONIO'S SECRET has them all.

Join me in giving Jay a big American welcome on Monday, Oct. 13 at 9:45pm. Tickets are still available.

Don't Forget! In-Person Ticket Sale Today!

Purchase your ImageOut tickets in person today, Saturday September 27 at the Imageout office from 1:00-4:00pm! The ImageOut office is located in Village gate Square, 274 North Goodman Street, Building A, Suite A209.

Advance tickets will NOT be sold at the Little, Cinema, or Dryden Theatres until after the festival begins. Additional in-person ticket sale day will occur on the following days:

Sunday, September 28th: 1:00-4:00pm
Tuesday, September 30th: 6:00-8:00pm
Thursday, October 2nd: 6:00-8:00pm

Tickets purchased in-person may be paid for by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Credit card orders will be incur a $3 processing fee.

Don't Miss Your Chance To Meet Jay McCarroll In Person!

Fashion designer Jay McCarroll has confirmed that he will be attending ImageOut's screening of Eleven Minutes on Saturday, October 11th at 4:15pm. Both he and Rob Tate, co-director of the film, will be on hand to answer questions following the film.

Eleven Minutes documents the trials and tribulations Jay faced in creating his first fashion collection following his win on season one of Bravo's hit reality show Project Runway. Jay faces down every obstacle with his trademark wit, turning Eleven Minutes into a hilarious cinematic treat for reality TV addicts and fashionistas alike!

Be sure to pick up your tickets for Eleven Minutes tomorrow, Saturday September 27th, or Sunday the 28th during our first official in-person ticket sale of the ImageOut season!

ImageOut Online Newsletter

Have you seen those fancy online newsletters that we have been sending out in the last few weeks? Kudos to Doug Schacht and our publications team. If you are not in our email distribution list, signup now!

More guests announced

Aside from the MULLIGANS boys, more guests have been announced at our website. And we will continue to keep you posted on any guest updates as we receive confirmation.

I'm actually very excited to meet Jay McCaroll from ELEVEN MINUTES. In most cases, I have already met the guests I invite to Rochester when I travel to other festivals. But I have missed Jay in other festivals. I hope he is as fun and bitchy in person. I can probably just talk to him forever and be catty. Do you know that it is his birthday on Saturday, Oct. 11? I should probably have a cupcake with a candle for him at the end of the screening. Anyone wants to bake a cake? =)

I'm still amazed at the number of GAY people here in Rochester who do not know Jay or watch Project Runway. Actually, that explains a lot. Oh snap!

Anyway, going back to Charlie and Derek from MULLIGANS, they are very excited to come to Rochester. And I promise to bring them to the theater early so you guys can mingle with them even before the film starts -- especially good for people who can't stay out too late on a Sunday night. Charlie is a sweetheart so you will all enjoy him. So bring your DANTE'S COVE dvds to get signed!

Confirmed! Charlie David & Derek James To Attend 'Mulligans' Screening

Charlie David, the writer and star of this year's sure to be sell-out smash hit Mulligans, will be in attendance at the screening of his film on Sunday, October 12th at 9:30pm, along with co-star Derek James. A Q&A with the two actors will immediately follow the film.

Tickets for Mulligans are already selling quickly, so be sure to pick yours up as soon as possible. Tickets are currently available online through the ImageOut website or at our next in-person ticket sale this coming weekend, Saturday September 27th and Sunday the 28th from 1-4pm at the ImageOut office, located in Village Gate Square, 274 North Goodman St. Building A, Suite A209.

Online Ticket Sales Begin Tomorrow!

Don't forget! Online ticket sales for ImageOut 2008 begin tomorrow, Saturday September 20th starting at 5pm and continue until Wednesday October 8th at 5pm.

Ticket orders through the ImageOut.org website will be processed through VeriSign, a secure website. There is a $3 processing fee for each order. Tickets purchased prior to the start of the festival will be sold at a rate lower than tickets sold at the theatres once the festival begins.

Welcome

Welcome to the official blog of ImageOut, Rochester's Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. Check this space for updates on special festival guests, parties, ticket sales, and more!