FULL LINEUP FOR 28TH EDITION RUNNING MAY 24 – JUNE 3. Brett Haley’s HEARTS BEAT LOUD to close festival; World Premiere of Christiaan Olwagen’s CANARY selected as Centerpiece Gala.
TORONTO, ON – May 4, 2018 – The 28th annual Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival, one of the largest events of its kind in the world, revealed its feature and short film lineup championing innovative LGBTQ filmmakers from across the globe. The festival, which launched the first ever annual LGBT Finance Forum, is quickly becoming an international home and incubator for LGBTQ filmmakers, both emerging and established. The 2018 Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival takes place May 24 to June 3.
To close the festival, Inside Out will host the Canadian premiere of HEARTS BEAT LOUD from director Brett Haley, opening the festival will be the previously announced international premiere of Silas Howard’s A KID LIKE JAKE. This year’s Centerpiece Gala will be the world premiere of Christiaan Olwagen’s CANARY and the annual Women’s Gala will feature Amy Adrion’s acclaimed documentary HALF THE PICTURE. Additional Special Presentations include the international premiere of 1985 from Yen Tan and the Canadian premiere of THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST from Desiree Akhavan.
The 2018 feature film program includes a total of 49 films. The lineup includes 5 world premieres, 7 international premieres and 27 Canadian premieres from 27 countries.
“Our programming team has raised the bar again this year in delivering a lineup that truly represents the broad diversity of our LGBTQ communities and histories” said Andria Wilson, Executive Director of Inside Out. “With new offerings including our Bell Media Festival Lounge, and the expansion of our LGBTQ film financing forum, this year’s festival will offer more opportunities than ever for connection, conversation, and celebration.”
“This year’s program offers up an impressive lineup of some of the year’s most anticipated LGBTQ+ films, with world premieres alongside award winners from the world’s top festivals such as Sundance, Berlin, and SXSW,” said Andrew Murphy, Inside Out’s Director of Programming. “As industry and distribution models continue to evolve, so too must Inside Out as we strive to offer thoughtful, interactive, and meaningful film and networking opportunities to our queer film communities and allies.”
28 narrative and 21 documentary features will debut over the course of the 11 day festival. The feature program includes 6 Galas and Special Presentations, 10 Premieres, 6 Icons, 4 Spotlight on Canada and 23 International Showcase. The festival will also screen 84 Shorts from a wide variety of exciting emerging and established LGBTQ filmmakers.
In addition to Murphy, the programming team includes Jenna Dufton, Cecilio Escobar, Scott Ferguson, Charlie Hidalgo, Allia McLeod and Nik Redman.
Single tickets will be on sale Friday, May 4th at 10:30 AM ET via insideout.ca or by phone at 416-599-8433.
The 2018 feature film selections are as follows:
GALAS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
CLOSING NIGHT
HEARTS BEAT LOUD, directed by Brett Haley. (USA) – International Premiere. Frank and Sam are the coolest of father/daughter duos. Frank owns a record store in Brooklyn, Sam is months away from heading off to UCLA pre-med, and every week the two get together for family jam sessions. The only problem? Frank’s store is failing and he finds himself in need of a new career path. When he and Sam write a particularly catchy song during their weekly session, Frank has an idea. They should start a band! As Sam struggles to balance her studies, her budding romance with Rose and her father’s sudden intense interest in creating music together, their relationship begins to crack. And when that catchy song goes viral, they are forced to make some major life decisions. With Kiersey Clemons, Sasha Lane, Nick Offerman, Ted Danson, Toni Collette.
CENTERPIECE
CANARY (KANARIE), directed by Christaan Olwagen. (South Africa) – World Premiere. Set in South Africa in 1985 against a backdrop of apartheid, religion and war, Canary is a charming musical drama that chronicles one teen’s struggle to find his voice.
OPENING NIGHT
A KID LIKE JAKE, directed by Silas Howard. (USA) – International Premiere. While preparing applications to private schools for four year-old Jake, Alex and Greg are told to focus on what makes their child unique, which, according to their preschool advisor, Judy, is Jake’s gender-expansive play. When Jake begins acting out in preschool, Alex and Greg must come together to lend support and not lose each other in the process. With Claire Danes, Jim Parsons, Octavia Spencer, Amy Landecker, Ann Dowd, and Priyanka Chopra.
WOMEN’S GALA
HALF THE PICTURE, directed by Amy Adrion. (USA) – Canadian Premiere. The documentary goes further than merely offering up disappointing statistics. The story told in Amy Adrion’s vital debut feature is one that manages to paint a clear picture of the severity of the damage while instilling hope for the future. Featuring compelling interviews with some of our most prolific female directors, this film takes an inspired look behind the camera and into the careers of your favourite filmmaking women. With Ava DuVernay, Jill Soloway, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Lena Dunham, Jamie Babbitt, Miranda July, Nisha Ganatra, Kimberly Pierce.
PREMIERES
L’ANIMALE, directed by Katharina Mueckstein. (Austria) – Canadian Premiere. Mati works part time at her mother’s veterinary clinic, learning the ropes so that she can follow in her footsteps. Outside of work, however, Mati’s mother understands so little about her daughter, forcing graduation dresses on her and questioning Mati’s desire to spend all her free time on her motocross bike with the local boys. When Mati develops feelings for a young woman from town and her mother uncovers a secret that her father has been keeping, the family must decide which is more important: living honestly or doing what is expected of them. With Sophie Stockinger, Kathrin Resetarits, Dominik Warta.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS – See Full LINEUP HERE.
Find Inside Out on:
Hashtag: #InsideOut18
Twitter: @InsideOutTO
Instagram: @insideoutfestival
Facebook: facebook.com/InsideOutFilmFestival
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/InsideOutToronto
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