Since 1980, Julia Scotti has been performing in clubs and theaters throughout the United States and Canada, performing for the first 20 years as Rick Scotti and appearing on bills with Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock. Now, after a long hiatus, the trans comedian returns to the stage as “the crazy old lady of comedy,” all documented in the new film Julia Scotti: Funny That Way.
NewFest, the New York LGBTQ Film Festival, finally unveiled the complete lineup for this year’s 32nd edition of the festival. The festival will kick off with the New York City premiere of Francis Lee’s Ammonite starring Academy Award-winner Kate Winslet and Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan. and will close with the virtual New York premiere of Faraz Shariat’s Teddy Award-winner No Hard Feelings.
Emmy, Tony and Grammy-winner Billy Porter (Pose, American Horror Story: Apocalypse) narrates EQUAL, the four-part LGBTQ+ docuseries chronicling the untold events leading up to the Stonewall Uprising, premiering Thursday, October 22 on HBO Max.
NewFest, the New York LGBTQ Film Festival will open this year with the NYC premiere of Francis Lee’s much anticipated film Ammonite, starring Academy Award-winner Kate Winslet and Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan. Winslet will also present Lee with the festival’s inaugural World Queer Visionary Award ahead of the special drive-in screening, taking place at the Queens Drive-In at Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Goldwyn Films released a new trailer for the coming-out/coming-of-age comedy film Dating Amber from director David Freyne, set for digital release on November 13. Set in Ireland during the mid-’90s, Dating Amber stars Fionn O’Shea as Eddie and Lola Petticrew as Amber who decide to stage a relationship in order to stop everyone speculating about their sexuality. The film also stars Sharon Horgan, Barry Ward, Simone Kirby, Evan O’Connor, Ian O’Reilly, and Emma Willis.
Reeling, Chicago’s LGBTQ+ film festival will celebrate its 38th anniversary this fall with a new virtual edition, showcasing 30 features, 54 shorts across eight shorts programs from 21 countries. Over the course of 11 days – from September 24 to October 4 – new titles will be premiered each day of the festival on Reeling’s online platform.
Army of Lovers in the Holy Land, is Asaf Galay’s new award-winning documentary about the Jewish roots of the Swedish queer disco-pop band Army of Lovers and its charismatic singer Jean-Pierre Barda’s extraordinary journey to make aliyah – examining the notions of home, identity and family along the way.
Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival announced the winners of this year’s festival. Los Fuertes (The Strong Ones), directed by Omar Zúñiga Hidalgo won the Audience award for Best Narrative Feature and the Grand Jury Prize for Best International Narrative Feature. Minyan, directed by Eric Steel won the Grand Jury Prize for Best U.S. Narrative Feature.
Artsploitation Films and Kino Lorber released Benjamin, a quirky, anxiety-fueled gay rom-com directed by Simon Amstell (“Nevermind the Buzzcocks”) and starring Colin Morgan (Merlin, The Happy Prince), on DVD and digital platforms including Kino Now.
Out on Film announced the lineup of films and events for the 33rd edition of the Atlanta-based LGBTQIA+ film festival, its first as an Oscar qualifying film festival. This year’s film festival will be a virtual edition taking place September 24-October 4.
Frameline announced the full program lineup for Frameline44, promising the world’s largest virtual LGBTQ+ film festival in the Fall, from Thursday, September 17 through Sunday, September 27, 2020.
