Thursday, July 31-
OPENING NIGHT

Between Something & Nothing
(*Todd Verow, USA, 2008, 105 min)

Based on filmmaker Todd Verow’s experiences at Rhode Island School of Design. After being accepted into a prestigious New England art school, sexy small-town Joe and townie mastermind Jennifer quickly join forces. They are determined to succeed on a campus over-populated with jaded mega-rich kids awash in trust funds, abortions and drugs galore. Both are forced into work-study jobs to satisfy their tuition responsibilities- but soon discover more profitable ways to supplement their scholarships through Creative Shoplifting 101 and Remedial Male Prostitution. When Joe eventually falls for enigmatic hustler Ramon, and Jennifer gets mistakenly caught up in a bad drug deal- their little world starts to spin too fast for them to continue to control. The gritty education they are receiving on the city streets is just as important as the intensely focused, competitive training in their classrooms.

Official web site

With Area X (*Dennis Shinners, USA, 2007, 15 min) NY PremiereA shy college student on the run encounters a slick & charming hustler in a dicey bar underneath NYC's infamous port authority bus terminal.

Thursday, August 7-
Centerpiece Film

Pageant (*Ron Davis & Stewart Halpern, USA, 2008, 95 min)

Behind the scenes look as 52 ordinary gentlemen go to extraordinary lengths in order to be crowned the 34th Miss Gay America. This contest is about the art of illusion, so hormones and surgical body enhancements are forbidden.The movie follows 5 of the most talented and beautiful female impersonators as they prepare to dominate in this underground competition. Hear from the men as well as from those in their entourage: husbands, mothers, sons, and little brothers. Pageant features stunning musical numbers, while diving into the heart and soul of this make-believe world: the men behind the make up.Everybody has a dream; these men are making theirs a reality. Audience Award Winner Best Documentary at San Francisco International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival and Best Feature at Newfest 2008.

Official web site

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With Dorian: a picture (*Joe Jeffreys, USA, 2008, 6 min)

In this experimental documentary short, a retired NYC female impersonator shares memories, film clips and a picture from his career that began in the 1950s.

Thursday, August 14

Steam (Kyle Schickner, USA, 2008, 117 min)
Tells the story of three very different women, whose lives are linked only by the steam room at the local gym. The women seem “stuck” in life. They are unable to overcome what is keeping them from growing and thriving in their lives, until each embarks on a relationship that will lead them to themselves. Doris (Ruby Dee), recently widowed, discovers a deep connection with a charming neighbor, while Laurie (Ally Sheedy), a divorced single mother, begins dating her son's much younger soccer coach, and Elizabeth (Kate Siegal) a college freshman, must come to terms with her sexuality when she meets Niala, a beautiful and politically active bisexual.

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With No Bikini (Claudia Morgado Escanilla, Canada, 2007, 8 min)At a summer swim camp, seven year old Robin decides to cross gender lines and be comfortable with who she is. The Grand Prize Winner at the 9th PlanetOut Short Movie Awards.

Thursday, August 21

You Belong To Me (*Sam Zalutsky, USA, 2007, 82 min) – In this Hitchcockian first feature by Sam Zalutsky, Jeffrey, a young New York architect, has met the man of his dreams, hunky Frenchman René, but he’s an elusive lover. When Jeffrey discovers where René lives, he impulsively moves into the same building. But the move backfires as René becomes cold and distant. Instead, the landlady Gladys lavishes attention on her new tenant. Soon Jeffrey realizes that there’s something strange going on – especially when he hears mysterious moans beneath his floorboards and learns that he’s not the first Jeffrey to live in the apartment. When he stumbles on Gladys’ dark secret, will it cost him his life?

Official web site

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With In Twilight’s Shadow
(Tina Shaw, USA, 2008, 12 min) NY Premiere

Unable to live with the dark gift, Carlisle isolates herself, suspended between light & dark. When an enemy extracts revenge on the one she holds close, Carlisle is called to rise to rescue the mortal she loves. Official web site

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Thursday, August 28-
Closing Night

Between Love & Goodbye (*Casper Andreas, USA, 2008, 97 min)

Casper Andreas(Slutty Summer and A Four Letter Word) returns to Fire Island with his first dramatic feature. Love makes the world go round. At least that's what Marcel and Kyle believe, until they suddenly discover that love can alternatively flip the world upside-down. When certain elements are set into motion, they tend to stay in motion. If tampered with, they can spin out of control. Marcel and Kyle are in love at first sight, and even though they can't legally marry, they will find a way to make it work. French Marcel marries their lesbian friend Sarah so he can stay in the USA with Kyle. Together they can overcome any obstacle, hurdle any barrier. Together they cannot be stopped. Enter Kyle's sister April, a former prostitute. She needs a place to crash, but for how long? Taking a quick dislike to Marcel, April methodically drips poison into their happiness. But where Marcel sees a conniving woman with a not-so-hidden agenda, Kyle only sees his sister - in need. And how do you choose between family and the love of your life? Why should you have to? Love isn't pure after it's been tainted. Our perfect couple falls headlong into possessiveness, jealousy and rage; trapped in the tangled emotions found in that space between love and goodbye. Just how far will one of them go to put a stop to the madness?

Official web site

With just (David Maurice Gill & Edward Gunawan, USA, 2007, 12 min)
The after-sex acquaintance of two strangers who met online. As the two men learn more about each other, they discover that a casual hook-up is anything but. The 4th Runner-Up winner at the 9th PlanetOut Short Movie Awards starring LA Theater Ovation Award 2007 nominee Keo Woolford and Edward Gunawan.

Official web site

* Denotes that filmmaker will be in attendance. Subject to change.

***The Long Island Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Inc. is a non-profit 501c(3) organization bringing Long Island unique cultural events every year that showcases gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender experiences in cinema.

Our events are made possible with public funds from New York State Council of the Arts, a state agency.***

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