This is the 22nd Edition of Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival but the first time it is being produced completely Online. It is run by Calgary Queer Arts Society which is a nonprofit organization located in Calgary, Alberta that exists to give voice to queer people and their stories. They use storytelling mediums and artistic endeavours to inspire thoughtful conversations that educate and strengthen communities and institutions.
There are over 40 films in their program that runs May 14 – May 24th and that can all be streamed online : full details at https://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com/watching
We have chosen three films from their eclectic schedule that are particular must-see picks.
WE ARE DANCERS: by British filmmaker Joe Morris. This short period drama based on a true story, is set in 1933 Berlin about Hansi Sturm, an anti-Nazi cabaret drag-artist, and his friends the day after the Reichstag fire. Hansi must decide whether to abandon his club or stay to face the Nazis his former lover has told him will come there to seek revenge.
Dear Fredy is coincidentally another moving anti-Nazi story about Fredy Hirsch a proud homosexual Jew. He ran a daycare center for 600 kids in Auschwitz. Fredy was admired by his kids and fought to his last breath to maintain their human dignity. His death on the eve of a revolt he led has remained a mystery until this film. Directed by Rubi Gat it’s a full length feature film
Changing The Game: Michael Barnett’s compelling documentary makes an important contribution to the continuing dialogue about the transgender community. He follows three high school athletes all at different stages of their athletic seasons and on their unique transitioning journeys . Allowing their stories to be told is a brave move on their part, amd hopefully they will not only start to effect changes in sports arena, but also empower others on the brink on their own journeys.
Meanwhile the TRANSLATIONS: SEATTLE TRANSGENDER FILM FESTIVAL is a groundbreaking film festival to provide the Pacific Northwest with a venue for films by, for, and about transgender people. Produced by Three Dollar Cinema since it was launched in 2006 it is still one of only a few transgender film festivals in the world.
Running ONLINE for the first time ever, Translations runs from May 7th -10th and full details on how to buy tickets and access the films can be found at https://threedollarbillcinema.org/translations2020
We have chosen two must-see films which include the Opening Night LINGUA FRANCA : NY based Filipino trans filmmaker ISOBEL SANDOVAL’s heart-wrenching third feature film, which she has written, directed and stars is too, is sadly one of those tales of the moment that seem like they can never end well. It should not be missed.
Kudos to director/writer/actor GRETCHEN WYLDER for making us laugh really loud at things we never thought we would find the least bit funny. ‘THESE THEMS’ her brilliant ground-breaking new web-series that had us focus on a story with non binary and trans identities.
This is the first episode of 7, and now we have seen the first one it seems so very odd that it took so long for non binary, genderqueer, and trans-masculine identities to be the centerpiece of such a well-made series like this .
If that is not enough for you , then watch this space for details of the inaugural OUTstream Film Festival that we will share as soon as we can.
Labels: 2020, Fairy Tale Fim Fest, Translations
