Ft. Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Kicks Off Today, 10/4

For the fourth annual Ft. Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (FLGLFF), today, October 4 through 7, 2012, the schedule of films showcased will expand to nearly 40 films, including a mix of men's and women's interest screenings, short films and documentaries, including a special documentary, "I Stand Corrected," on transgender jazz bassist Jennifer Leitham, who has performed with Mel Torme and Doc Severinsen among others. The line-up of special activities will also include opening and closing night parties, an exclusive VIP soiree and a Jazz Brunch featuring a solo performance by Leitham. New for 2012 is a VIP travel package as the Ft. Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival expands in popularity beyond the South Florida region.

"In just four short years, the Ft. Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival has grown from an intimate community event to one that is on the national stage as a prominent film festival attracting moviegoers from across the country," said Franc Castro, Executive Director of the FLGLFF.

For the Festival's out-of-town guests, or locals looking for a silver screen staycation, a special VIP travel package is currently being offered that includes a two-night stay for two at the beautiful Atlantic Resort and Spa located directly on Ft. Lauderdale's picturesque beach. The package also includes two tickets to either the opening or closing night film and after party plus two tickets, VIP entrance and preferred seating for all regular film screenings and two tickets to an exclusive VIP reception hosted by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The price for the VIP package is $650. A four-night package is also available for $1,250 which includes two VIP badges for all festival events. Either package can be purchased at www.flglff.com or by calling 305-751-6305.

"We are delighted to partner again with this year's Festival and welcome the local and visiting LGBT community to Fort Lauderdale," said Noelle P. Stevenson, film commissioner of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. "The Festival is a wonderful way to bring the community together by celebrating great films while showcasing our production-friendly destination to filmmakers."

On opening night, tonight, October 4, the film festival will screen Thom Fitzgerald's "Cloudburst" starring Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker. Adapted from an award-winning play, "Cloudburst" tells the tale of an older lesbian couple who has been together for 31 years. Dot, played by Fricker, is committed to a nursing home by her meddling granddaughter. This does not sit well with Dot's partner Stella, played by Dukakis, who comes to Dot's rescue. Together, they escape from a Maine nursing home and head over the boarder to Canada where they hope to obtain a marriage license and finally have their relationship recognized. Along the way, they pick up a sexy, shirtless hitchhiker named Prentice, played by Ryan Doucette, and the familial plot thickens and evolves.

The closing night film, "Bear City 2: the Proposal," will be followed by a FLGLFF Closing Pool Party produced by Bear Nation and hosted by Tony Lima at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa with 400 guests dancing the night away to a famous DJ until 2 a.m.

Other highlights of the 2012 festival include film screenings held at the historic Classic Gateway Theatre, which has been in business for more than 60 years and adds a vintage flavor to the Ft. Lauderdale Festival.

Tickets for the FLGLFF are on sale now. For ticket information and the full schedule of screenings, visit www.flglff.com.

The mission of the Ft. Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival is to produce events and programs that bring the LGBT community from South Florida and beyond together through film. Coming into its fourth year as a stand-alone Festival, the 2012 Festival will expand its schedule to include food and music components as well as more short films, documentaries and feature films by, about, and of interest to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

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