By: Joseph R. Castel
The City’s longest-running film festival since 1993, will once again take place September 16th and 17th at the historic Art Theatre, next door to The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach. QFilm annually presents narrative features, documentaries and short films that represents the rich diversity and experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities.
More than 1,000 people attend QFilm each year to a mix of West Coast, California, and local premieres, as well some of the best features on the film festival circuit. There will be Q and A’s after many of the screenings and there will be ample opportunities for attendees to meet and mingle with filmmakers, actors, critics and other industry professionals.
The festival will open with the Long Beach premiere of “Commitment of Life.” This acclaimed documentary is about the pioneering LGBTQ Organization APLA. According to festival founder, Robert Cano, “The idea of this documentary was conceived at our 22nd (2015) Film Festival, when our board member Ron Sylvester met Jeffrey Schwarz, the director of our opening night film “Tab Hunter Confidential.” The two started talking about making a documentary based on the history of APLA.” The premiere will be followed by an opening day Ice Cream Social for all pass and ticketholders at the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach.
In addition, a trio of biographical documentary films will have their local premieres on September 16th. “Jewelle: A Just Vision” follows the art and activism of the incomparable Jewelle Gomez, as she takes on the Civil Rights and Marriage Equality movements. “It’s Only Life After All” is an intimate look into the lives of one of the most iconic folk-rock bands in America, The Indigo Girls. And “Studio One Forever” documents the Studio One Night Club which, from 1974 to 1994, was the center of queer nightlife in Weho. Cano also encourages filmgoers to celebrate Mexican Independence Day at 5 pm for their LatinX Queer Shorts’ Program.
“Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,” produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and starring Eva Longoria, is based on the coming-of-age young adult novel by American author Benjamin Alire Sanz. Set in El Paso, Texas in 1987, the film follows two Mexican American teenagers, their friendship, and their struggles with ethnic identity, sexuality, and family relationships.“
Jury and Audience awards will be given to outstanding films in several categories. All net proceeds from the festival will benefit The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach. Support for the 2023 QFilm Festival comes from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Long Beach Arts Council, APLA, along with numerous additional sponsors.
Other short film programs on Saturday and Sunday include: Men in Briefs, Women in Shorts, Queer & Trans Shorts, and Long Beach/LA Queer Shorts. The complete festival schedule is as follows (films and talent availability are subject to change)
Individual tickets and passes to all screenings are on sale now and are available for purchase on the QFilm’s festival page at www.qfilmslongbeach.com.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th
11:00 am – COMMITMENT TO LIFE, followed by Q&A with Director Jeffrey Schwarz and Executive producer Ron Sylvester
12:00 pm to 2 pm – Ice Cream Social next door at The Center
1:30 pm – JEWELLE: A JUST VISION
3:00 pm – QUEER AND TRANS SHORTS, followed by Q&A with filmmakers and casts.
5:30 pm – KOKOMO CITY
7:00 pm – IT’S ONLY LIFE AFTER ALL
9:30 pm – STUDIO ONE FOREVER, followed by Q&A with filmmaker and cast.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th
11:00 am – MEN IN BRIEFS Short Film program followed by Q&A with various filmmakers and cast members.
12:30 pm to 2:30 pm – Sunday Brunch next door at The Center
1:30 pm – WOMEN IN SHORTS Short Film program followed by Q&A with various filmmakers and cast members.
4:00 pm – ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE
6:00 pm – MUTT
8:00 pm – LONG BEACH/LA QUEER SHORTS Short Film Program followed by Q&A with various filmmakers and cast members.
About The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach
The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach is located at 2017 E. Fourth Street in Long Beach. The Center engages, empowers, and advocates to achieve a more equitable society and fosters an ever-improving quality of life for the LGBTQ community. The Center serves approximately 25,000 clients annually through dozens of programs and services. www.centerlb.org