NewFest Honors Tituss Burgess with First Voice & Visibility Award Tonight

NewFest - the Film and Media Arts organization that will present its annual festival of LGBT cinema from tonight, October 20, to October 25 in partnership with Outfest and sponsored by HBO - announced today that Emmy Award-nominated actor Tituss Burgess ("Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt") will be receiving NewFest's very first Voice & Visibility Award during the festival.

Burgess will be presented the award by Emmy Award-winning actress Debra Messing ("Will & Grace," "The Mysteries of Laura," "Smash"). The award will be given on Opening Night of the 28th Annual New York LGBT Film Festival, October 20th at 7pm, before the screening of the North American Premiere of the highly anticipated THE PASS starring Russell Tovey.

"It's an honor to be the first recipient of this award. What a lovely reminder to us all that being yourself gives others permission to stand proudly in their own individuality," Burgess said.

Burgess's work as an actor, singer, stage performance and out entertainer has resonated with LGBT audiences for years, but as Titus Andromedon on Netflix's "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," he has been newly embraced by audiences all over the world as well as within the critical community. For his performance this past season, the New York Times called him "more than ever the heart of the show," and he received his second Emmy Award nomination. With his performance, Burgess has created one of the most infectiously lovable characters on television and brought a multi-dimensional gay man of color into the homes of many viewers for the first time.

NewFest's mission is to give voice and visibility to the full scope of the LGBT community by presenting films and supporting filmmakers, writers and actors whose stories entertain, educate and empower. THE VOICE & Visibility Award will be presented to Burgess in recognition of his contributions both on and off screen, which have resonated with LGBT audiences through his BOUNDLESS positivity, presence, and wit. He will be presented the award at NewFest's Opening Night Gala at Chelsea's SVA Theatre on Thursday, October 20th at 7pm.

"I couldn't be happier to have Tituss Burgess receive NewFest's inaugural Voice & Visibility Award to kick off our 28th Annual festival," said Robert Kushner, NewFest's Executive Director. "NewFest is all about LGBT storytelling, and as an immensely talented actor of both stage and screen, Tituss presents his characters and his own stories with insight, strength, and heart--echoing the power and passion of the LGBT community."

Although Burgess will be receiving NewFest's first Voice & Visibility Award, past Visionary Award recipients from NewFest include writer-director Ira Sachs, producer Christine Vachon and LGBT rights icon Edie Windsor.

NewFest is also pleased to announce new additions to what was already the festival's largest slate ever (The full program, which was announced last week on Sept. 14th, is currently available online at newfest.org/2016 ). The festival will be hosting the U.S. Premiere of John Butler's delightful Irish coming-of-age HANDSOME DEVIL (straight from sold out screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival) featuring two breakout performances from newcomers Fionn O'Shea and Nicholas Galitzine, and a terrific turn from AnDrew Scott ("Sherlock").

They will also be presenting a companion piece screening of Academy Award Winners Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman's essential 2000 Documentary PARAGRAPH 175 on Oct. 22nd, which Epstein will be on hand in-person to introduce, along with a post-screening Q&A. This screening will stand powerfully on its own as well as a contextual cinematic partner to the festival's Legacy Centerpiece, DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS, the newly restored 1919 narrative film by Outfest UCLA Legacy Project which screens in 35mm with live musical accompaniment by Steve Sterner on Oct. 21st, about two men torn apart by the Paragraph 175 law. The Outfest UCLA Legacy Project is a partnership between Outfest and UCLA Film & Television Archive and is the largest archive in the world exclusively dedicated to preserving and restoring LGBT moving images.

Epstein will also appear as part of the extended panel following the Legacy Centerpiece screening of DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS on Oct. 21st. He will be joined by fellow panelists Bob Hawk, filmmaker; Ashley Swinnerton, Collection Specialist, Department of Film at MoMA; and more to be announced. The panel will be moderated by Outfest Executive Director Christopher Racster.

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Below, find full program descriptions for the festival's new additions as well as their previously announced opening night film, closing night film, and special centerpieces.

HANDSOME DEVIL
Friday, October 21st, 9:15pm, SVA Theatre 2
U.S Premiere
Dir: John Butler, Ireland, 2016, 95 mins

The toast of this September's Toronto International Film Festival, HANDSOME DEVIL, Irish novelist John Butler's second feature film, is a winningly funny, music-drenched coming-of-age story with a wry streak of visual invention. With his shock of red hair, proclivity for old rock songs, and general oddness, Ned is a certified outcast in his rugby-crazy, all-boy boarding school. His mind is set on expulsion or escape, until the arrival of a new English teacher (SHERLOCK favorite AnDrew Scott) and a new roommate, a surprisingly sensitive rugby player with more than a few secrets, sets Ned on a path towards finally allowing himself to be heard.

Writer: John Butler
Cast: Fionn O'Shea, Nicholas Galitzine, AnDrew Scott, Michael McElhatton, Moe Dunford, Ruairí O'Connor

PARAGRAPH 175
Saturday, October 22nd, 10:30am, Cinépolis Chelsea
Presented by Academy Award winning director Rob Epstein
Dir: Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman, US, 2000, 81 mins

Academy Award winners Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman's riveting, must-see documentary features historian Klaus Müller as he interviews survivors of the Nazi persecution of homosexuals under the horrific German Penal Code of 1871, Paragraph 175. Narrated by Rupert Everett, this essential documentary exposes the bigotry that dominated WWII and the damning law that remained on German books through the 1960s.

This screening stands powerfully on its own or as a contextual companion piece to DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS, the newly restored 1919 narrative film which screens in 35mm on Friday, October 21st at 6:30pm at the SVA Theatre, about two men torn apart by the Paragraph 175 law.

OPENING NIGHT GALA

THE PASS

North American Premiere.

Dir: Ben A. Williams, UK, 2016, 88 mins

It's the night before a make-or-break Championship soccer match, the pressure is high, and two rising star teammates Jason (Russell Tovey) and Ade (Arinze Kene) have an encounter in their hotel room that causes irrevocable consequences. Based on the lauded play by John Donnelly, who also adapted the screenplay, debut director Ben A. Williams's taut, engrossing drama is split into three acts over the course a decade; tension and vulnerabilities intensify with each conversation, as secrets are buried deeper and lies become heavier. Themes of fame and sexuality take center field, leading to a devastating finale where the cost of denying one's happiness is measured against protecting one's public image. Russell Tovey (HBO's "Looking") originated the role of closeted athlete Jason on stage and he delivers a career-defining, powerhouse performance with top-tier assistance from co-star Arinze Kene.

Q&A with filmmakers and select cast will follow.

There will be an after-party following the opening night screening.

CLOSING NIGHT GALA

LOVESONG

New York City Premiere.

Dir: So Yong Kim, 2016, USA, 84 mins

With her fourth feature film, acclaimed director So Yong Kim (TREELESS MOUNTAIN, IN BETWEEN DAYS) delivers a tender testament to the deep, emotional bond between Mindy (Jena Malone) and Sarah (Riley Keough) as they confront their long-unspoken intimacy. Digging far beneath the surface of female friendship while avoiding clichés, this nuanced drama exposes the complexity inherent in companionship. As her relationship with her husband deteriorates, Sarah calls her college friend Mindy for an impromptu road trip. Their connection intensifies along the back roads of Upstate New York, but the two lose touch until Sarah makes another trip, several years later, for Mindy's wedding. Grounded by powerfully naturalistic performances from Malone and Keough, LOVESONG plays on the nearly spiritual dialogue between Mindy and Sarah that keeps the love story front and center, while balancing the blurred line between friendship and desire.

Q&A with filmmakers and select cast will follow.

There will be an after-party following the closing night screening.

SPECIAL CENTERPIECE

THE TRANS LIST

Dir: Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, USA, 2016, 58 mins

An HBO Documentary Film

The festival's Special Centerpiece Presentation includes The HBO Documentary Film THE TRANS LIST, directed by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and featuring interviews by trans author and advocate Janet Mock, and explores the experiences of Americans who identify as transgender. This film allows a diverse group of individuals to tell their stories in their own words, addressing identity, family, career, love, struggle and accomplishment.

LEGACY CENTERPIECE

DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS

East Coast Premiere.

35mm restored print courtesy of the Outfest UCLA Legacy Project.

Dir: Richard Oswald, Germany, 1919, 54 mins, In German with English subtitles

Banned by censors and burned by the Nazis, it is a marvel that DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS, cinema's first overt depiction of gay life, exists today. After a six-year restoration process, during which archivists consulted censorship records, the Outfest UCLA Legacy Project has constructed the most complete and accurate version of the film since its initial release almost a century ago. Co-written by famed sexologist and pioneering LGBT activist Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, the film offers a sympathetic and devastating look at gay life in Germany under Paragraph 175, the law criminalizing homosexuality. Conrad Veidt portrays Kurt, a virtuoso violinist who falls in love with a male student. When an extortionist threatens him, Paul must out himself and face the social and legal consequences. Presented on 35mm film with piano accompaniment by Steve Sterner, this screening is critical for those who seek a full understanding of LGBT film history.

The Legacy Centerpiece screening will be followed by an extended panel on October 21st. Panelists include Academy Award Winner Rob Epstein, filmmaker; Bob Hawk, filmmaker; and Ashley Swinnerton, MoMA. The panel will be moderated by Outfest Executive Director Christopher Racster.

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Tickets for NewFest will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, September 27th. A pre-sale to NewFest Members begins on September 20th for Platinum Members and above and September 22nd for all NewFest Members. Opening and Closing Night tickets, which include an after-party as well as the screening, are $60 and $50 respectively; $50 and $40 for NewFest Members. The Legacy Centerpiece Film is $20; $16 for NewFest Members. For all other screenings, tickets are $16; $12 for NewFest Members. Visit www.NewFest.org for details as well as complete film festival information.

Founded in 1988, NewFest: New York's Film and Media Arts Organization presents year-round screenings and events, including the annual New York LGBT Film Festival. NewFest's mission is to give voice and visibility to the full scope of New York's LGBT community through films and programs that entertain, educate, and empower. In bringing diverse audiences and filmmakers together, NewFest creates spaces and conversations that have the capacity to open minds, shift cultural bias, and create positive change. NewFest is dedicated to bringing together filmmakers and audiences to build a community that encompasses the wide range of representations of the LGBT experience. We are committed to nurturing and presenting LGBT stories and emerging filmmakers.

Founded by UCLA students in 1982, Outfest is the leading organization that promotes equality by creating, sharing and protecting LGBT stories on the screen. Outfest builds community by connecting diverse populations to discover, discuss and celebrate stories of LGBT lives. Over the past three plus decades, Outfest has showcased thousands of films from around the world to audiences of nearly a million, educated and mentored hundreds of emerging filmmakers and protected more than 36,000 LGBT films and videos.

Home Box Office, Inc. is the premium television programming subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. and the world's most successful pay TV service, providing the two television services - HBO® and Cinemax® - to approximately 131 million subscribers worldwide. The services offer the popular subscription video-on-demand products HBO On Demand® and CineMax On Demand®, as well as HBO GO® and MAX GO®, HD feeds and multiplex channels. HBO NOW®, the network's internet-only premium streaming service, provides audiences with instant access to HBO's acclaimed programming in the U.S. Internationally, HBO branded television networks, along with the subscription video-on-demand products HBO On Demand and HBO GO, bring HBO services to over 60 countries. HBO and CineMax programming is sold into over 150 countries worldwide.