Fairy Tales, Calgary’s festival of queer film and performance, opens Thursday May 24 at various venues across the city.
Now in its 14th incarnation, Fairy Tales has grown from a two-day event to a full 10 days, screening 17 features and 31 shorts in total.
“We look for diversity in programming; we want films that reflect the community and has appeal to audiences, whether gay, lesbian or transgender,” says Melody Jacobson, Producing Director of the fest. “We also want films that are high quality– we put work up that belongs on the big screen.”
Diversity is the keyword: everything from documentary to drama and comedy, R-rated to family events are represented.
“We really want to overcome the notion that the films are only about sex,” says Jacobson, noting that themes such as cultural creation and relationships are strong this year. “Within the queer filmmaking community, there is the sense that we want stories that reflect the whole of our experience.”
Some highlights of this year’s festival include:
Vito, a documentary about Vito Rousseau, who wrote The Celluloid Closet.
Wish Me Away, a documentary about Chely Wright, the first openly gay country music singer.
Blattangelus, about a priest in Mexico city who works with the Metropolitan Community Reconciliation Church.
Hit So Hard, following the life of Patti Schemel, the drummer from ’90s grunge band Hole.
Jobrias AD, about the life of glam rock star Jobrias who influenced queer artists since his transgressive performances in the 1970s.
on the drama side:
Codependent Alien Lesbian Seeks Fame, a B-movie spoof that is both beautiful and funny
Men To Kiss, a sweet romantic comedy of opposites attract.
Alberta filmmakers are represented in the shorts programs, including Christopher Cinnamon with his film, The Impostors; Silvia Pikal and Derek Mange with their short doc, Masks of Gender; Amanda Desrochers with Lesbian Speeddating; and Trevor Anderson with his musical, The Man That Got Away.
And don’t forget Bring a Straight Night May 28 at the Plaza Theatre — a 2-for1 event that is proof that this is a safe, respectful and inviting space for viewing queer art.
Please visit www.fairytalesfilmfest.com for more information.
