GAY + LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL

BIRMINGHAM SHOUT:
GAY + LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL
Birmingham, Alabama - USA
May 29 to 30, 2009

The 4th Annual BIRMINGHAM SHOUT: GAY + LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL, Alabama's only GLBT film fest, brings the freshest and brightest stars and movies to Birmingham. In just three years, SHOUT has attracted esteemed filmmakers like Malcolm Ingram, Margret Cho, Guinevere Turner, Jen Herrea, Alan Cumming, and Richard Berkowitz, among others.

Birmingham SHOUT showcases superb features, documentaries, and short films exploring gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender themes, and has screened such celebrated pics as THE BUBBLE, SHELTER, SUFFERING MANS CHARITY, SMALL TOWN GAY BAR, and FREEHELD. 2007 SHOUT premiere SEMPER FI was later picked up by Showtime Networks, and 2008 brought the Southeast premiere of SEX POSITIVE which is now enjoying a theatrical release.

Birmingham SHOUT offers transportation and lodging to select filmmakers, and throws the best after-parties and post-show events around. A weekend at Birmingham SHOUT is always unlike any other; organizers aim to craft a real filmmaker's festival, and take pride in treating artists like the celebrated guests they are.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Following is the schedule of films playing Saturday at the Birmingham Shout Gay + Lesbian Film Festival. The plot summaries were provided by the festival. The films have not been reviewed by The Birmingham News.

"Chasing the Devil" (2 hrs.) Directed by Bill Hussung and Mishara Canino-Hussung. This documentary presents a glimpse into the personal journeys of four people who claim to have changed their sexual orientation from gay to straight. Their stories mark the first time documentary filmmakers have been allowed inside the "ex-gay" movement and provide an empathetic and, at times, devastating portrait of those who claim homosexuality is an illness that can be healed. 11:30 a.m.

"Shelter" (1 hr., 37 mins.) Directed by Jonah Markowitz. The story of Zach (Trevor Wright), who is forced to give up his dreams of art school in order to take care of his family. Zach has become accustomed to a life where he neglects his own needs in favor of taking care of his older sister, Jeanne (Tina Holmes) and his nephew, Cody. When his best friend's older brother, Shaun (Brad Rowe), returns home to cure a case of writer's block, Shaun and Zach develop a friendship that develops into a true, intimate relationship. Shaun presses Zach to take control of his life, and to take ownership of his artwork. He also develops a strong bond with Cody, and Zach happily notices the positive effect Shaun's attention has on him. As time progresses, however, a host of new issues come up. Zach struggles with his identity, his family, and friends, while trying to understand the new emotions Shaun has brought into his life. 2:15 p.m.

"Spider Lilies" (1 hr. 34 min.). Directed by Zero Chou. Feature about a web-cam girl named Jade, who visits a tattoo studio and becomes entranced with the image of the spider lily and with the tattoo artist Takeko as well. In order to get closer to the object of her desire, Jade asks Takeko to give her the same lily tattoo, challenging Takeko's monastic existence and opening up memories which threaten to tear the two women apart. Winner of the Teddy Award for best feature film at the at the 2007 Berlin International Film Festival. 4:30 p.m. On the Web: www.encorefilms.com/spiderlilies.


"Bi the Way" (1 hr. 25 min.) Directed by Brittany Blockman and Josephine Decker. This film takes viewers on a journey through the changing sexual landscape of America, investigating the latest scientific reports and social opinions on bisexuality while following five members of the emerging "whatevergeneration" teens and twenty-somethings who seem to be ushering in a whole new sexual revolution. 7 p.m. On the Web: www.bithewaymovie.com.


"Sex Positive" (1 hr. 15 min.) Directed by Daryl Wein. This documentary explores the life of Richard Berkowitz, a gay hustler-turned-AIDS activist in the 1980s. Berkowitz emerged from the epicenter of the epidemic demanding a solution to the problem long before those both within and outside of the gay community would take heed. However, it was not Berkowitz's voice alone that sparked contention but also that of Dr. Joseph Sonnabend, a controversial virologist and AIDS doctor who theorized that AIDS was more complicated than just a new virus. Using Sonnabend's theory, Berkowitz fought alongside activist and musician Michael Callen for safer sex practices. Now destitute and alone, Berkowitz tells his story to a world that never wanted to listen. (Please note: Berkowitz will attend the screening and answer questions following the film.) 9:30 p.m. On the Web: www.sexpositivethemovie.com.