From a news release
Los Angeles, CA, January 12, 2012 - The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today announced its panels and events for the third annual cineGLAAD program presented by Bud Light AND RĂ–KK Vodka, taking place at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.
Through educational panels and networking events, cineGLAAD raises awareness about films with LGBT content and amplifies the voices of filmmakers who highlight the LGBT experience. A complete list of those films is available at www.glaad.org/cineGLAAD.
"The Sundance Film Festival has been a starting point for some of the most prominent films with LGBT stories. It's these images that are building support for equality by helping Americans understand the common ground we all share," said Mike Thompson, Acting President of GLAAD. "GLAAD is proud to help raise the profile of those films and filmmakers who highlight the LGBT experience as an official Institute Associate at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival."
This marks the third year that GLAAD will be an Institute Associate for the festival, a category of support represented by organizations who maintain a year-round relationship with the Sundance Institute, characterized by mutually-aligned missions to nurture independent vision and thought. cineGLAAD panels will be held at the Sundance Film Festival's Filmmaker Lodge located on the second floor of the Elks Building (550 Main Street) in Park City. cineGLAAD panel discussions are free and open to the public. Guests must RSVP. Priority entry will be given to 2012 Sundance Film Festival pass holders. Guests should RSVP at www.glaad.org/cineGLAAD.
Panels and events include:
˘ Relying on the Kindness of Strangers: Funding Film Through Social Media
For aspiring independent filmmakers, one of the most daunting parts of the process has always been raising the money needed to make a film. Particularly for films with LGBT content, there is often a dearth of investors willing to take a chance on new talent, but the advent of online social networking has opened up new fundraising strategies for film that are quickly becoming the norm. This panel will address the often difficult road that LGBT-inclusive and independent films have to travel both before and after getting made, and the best lessons and strategies for using the internet to engage both one's personal network and a wider community willing to open their wallets to help see these unique stories told. Saturday, January 21, 2012 @ 4:00pm.
˘ Keep the Lights On: What Modern Queer Cinema Looks Like
In recent years, films such as Weekend and Pariah have told stories about LGBT people with a fresh, poignant approach to storytelling that feels both naturalistic and delicately composed. In that same vein, and sure to be one of the standout films of this year's festival, is Keep the Lights On, which examines a decadelong relationship between two men in New York City. Though the film deals head-on with issues facing the contemporary gay community, including fidelity and addiction, it also tells a deeply personal story that plays out with sometimes startling authenticity. Join writer/director Ira Sachs (who previously brought the award-winning Forty Shades of Blue to Sundance) and others for a discussion on the film's creation and its place in the queer cinema canon. Monday, January 23, 2012 @ 4:30pm.
˘ Love Free or Die: Bishop Robison Between the LGBT Community and The Church
In 2003, Gene Robinson became the first openly gay man to be elected to bishop in The Episcopal Church, resulting in both cheers of celebration from progressive Christians around the world and angry condemnation from the church's more conservative sects, many of whom went so far as to secede from The Episcopal Church altogether. Bishop Robinson's appointment touched off a movement that has changed the way the church relates to LGBT people, which has long been an emotionally-charged and complex relationship. The new documentary Love Free Or Die takes a closer look at this relationship through the eyes of the man whose appointment found him at the center of the storm. Join Bishop Gene Robinson, director Macky Alson, and others as they discuss making the documentary and what's next in the often unpredictable saga of LGBT people and the church. Tuesday, January 24, 2012 @ 4:30pm.
˘ cineGLAAD Lounge
LGBT and allied festival-goers are invited to the cineGLAAD Lounge at The Sky Lodge (201 Heber Avenue @ Main Street), where guests can enjoy coffee and free internet while networking with other professionals in a relaxed setting. Tuesday, January 24, 2012 All day; Filmmakers reception @ 1:00pm.
˘ Cocktails with cineGLAAD
GLAAD will also host a cocktail reception as a networking opportunity for LGBT filmmakers and allies. 'Cocktails with cineGLAAD' will be held at The Sky Lodge (201 Heber Avenue @ Main Street). Attendees will receive a one-year membership to GLAAD and hosted cocktails, courtesy of Bud Light and RĂ–KK Vodka. Tuesday, January 24, 2012 @ 8:00pm.
About GLAAD
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org . For the latest updates on our work, visit www.twitter.com/glaad andwww.facebook.com/glaad.
