The 26th Annual Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
The Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (TIGLFF)was founded in 1990 as a multi-day extension of Tampa's Pride celebrations. The three day event represented three of the areas LGBT organizations: The Tampa Bay Business Guild, Bay Area Human Rights Coalition, Tampa Bay Gay Men's Chorus.
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26 years later TIGLFF is now a 9-day juried LGBT community film festival, one of the largest and longest running of its kind in the world. For the last 25 years the festival has been held at The Tampa Theatre. The gorgeous, internationally renowned theatre has long been a home for groundbreaking cinema.
After last year's festivities it was announced that TIGLFF would move its main events (opening night, closing reception) to St. Pete's beautiful Palladium Theater. The move was made in order to expand the Festival's reach in the greater Tampa Bay area.
“Tampa Theatre has been proud to be TIGLFF’s home for the past quarter century, and we wish them nothing but the best as they move forward. Our doors are always open ,” said Tampa Theatre President and CEO John Bell in a release.
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TIGLFF will kick off on August 26 at freeFall Theatre with a screening of the classic film Funny Face. The screening begins at 7pm. Follow this link to purchase your tickets to the event.
The entire festival will launch at The Dali Museum on September 12. The event will feature a cash bar, tapas and exclusive previews of what you can expect at the 26th annual festival. Follow this link to get your tickets.
TIGLFF officially begins on October 2. This years event is abuzz with a scheduled performance by Lea DeLaria, known for her starring role as Big Boo on Orange Is the New Black.
Lea was the featured vocalist at the 50th Anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival, and has performed in some of the most prestigious houses in the world including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Chicago Symphony, Hollywood Bowl, The Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House.
Lea has five records on the Warner Jazz and Classics label and her book “Lea’s Book of Rules for the World” is in its third printing at Bantam Doubleday and Dell.
Opening for Lea will be the locally loved Scott and Patti.
The event begins at 6pm at The Palladium Theater. Follow this link for tickets.
For up to date information on screenings, visiting directors and ticket deals follow TIGLFF on Facebook and their main website.
Sundance Shorts Screening at Tampa Theatre
This August the Tampa Theatre will showcase award-winning short films from this year's Sundance Film Festival. the 2015 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour is an 83-minute theatrical program of six short films.
For the last 30 years Sundance has stood as the premiere showcase of rising talent in the film industry. It often serves as a launching point for Academy Award darlings. These selected shorts deliver a haymaker that is felt long after the credits roll.
This years films (via Tampa Theatre):
- World of Tomorrow Short Film Jury Award (Best of Fest) A little girl is taken on a mind-bending tour of the distant future. Written and directed by Don Hertzfeldt/USA/17m
- SMILF Short Film Jury Prize: US Fiction A young, single mother struggles to balance her old life of freedom with her new one as mom. It all comes to a head during one particular nap-time when Bridgette invites an old friend over for a visit. Written and directed by Frankie Shaw/USA/9m
- Oh Lucy! Short Film Jury Prize: International Fiction Setsuko, a 55-year-old, single, so-called “office lady” in Tokyo is given a blonde wig and a new identity, Lucy, by her young, unconventional English-language teacher. "Lucy" awakens desires in Setsuko she never knew existed. Written and directed by Atsuko Hirayanagi/Japan, Singapore, USA/22m
- The Face of Ukraine: Casting Oksana Baiul Short Film Jury Prize: Non-Fiction Adorned in pink sequins, little girls from across a divided, war-torn Ukraine audition to play the role of Olympic champion figure skater Oksana Baiul, whose tears of joy once united their troubled country. Written and directed by Kitty Green/Russia, Ukraine/7m
- Storm Hits Jacket Short Film Jury Prize: Animation A storm reaches the shores of Brittany. Nature goes crazy, and two young scientists get caught up in the chaos. Espionage, romantic tension, and mysterious events clash with enthusiasm and randomness. Written and directed by Paul Cabon/France/13m
- Object Short Film Special Jury Prize for Poetic Vision A creative image of an underwater search in the dimensions of two worlds – ice desert and under water – told from the point of view of the rescue team, of the diver, and of the ordinary people waiting on the shore. Written and directed by Paulina Skibinska/Poland/15m
These films will screen at the Tampa Theatre at 7:30pm on Wednesday, August 12 and Thursday, August 13. Tickets are $11.
Tampa Theatre, 711 North Franklin Street.
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