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(Photo credit: Marta Elena Vassilakis)
The OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Miami is back – bolder, brighter and in-person — beginning Apr. 22.
Internationally acclaimed as one of the largest LGBTQ+ cultural festivals in the world, OUTShine returns for this 24th edition to unite the community through premier social events and programs that inspire, entertain, educate and encourage a sense of community. This year, more than 45 international features and documentary screenings, panel discussions, three shorts programs, exclusive virtual showings, picturesque venues, Cocktails & Cinema Happy Hours and parties will take place across various venues in Miami-Dade County through May 1.
The festival also will honor Venezuelan actress, model and philanthropist Patricia Velásquez with a Vanguard Award.
“This year’s OUTshine Film Festival theme is ‘Find Yourself Here.’ Audiences of all ages and backgrounds can find themselves represented and reflected in our films and can enjoy this experience with friends and family to spark meaningful conversations,” said Mark Gilbert, board chair and interim executive director of OUTshine Film Festival. “Additionally, for the first time, in partnership with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, we’re reaching out to Latin American visitors with special travel packages to connect them via culture and film to our already diverse Hispanic community and word-class attractions and hospitality.”
On Apr. 22, at 7 p.m., at the Black Archives – Historic Lyric Theater, a festival first, the program opens with the South Florida debut of the African-American comedy-drama B-Boy Blues (2021), based on the 1994 groundbreaking, and beloved classic book by James Earl Hardy. Class and culture clash when a college-educated journalist from Brooklyn and a homeboy-bike messenger from Harlem fall in love. Described as Moonlight meets Queer As Folk, this unapologetic celebration of African-American gay men will leave you wanting more.
Producer Circle Members and sponsors will enjoy a 5:30 p.m. pre-event Filmmakers Soirée. An opening night party will follow the film with guest of honor and Vanguard Award winner Patricia Velásquez.
Velásquez is best known for her portrayal of Anck-su-namun in The Mummy (1990) and its sequel, The Mummy Returns (2001). She has appeared in numerous other films including The Curse of La Llorona (2019) and television shows including Arrested Development and The L Word. She is the founder of the Wayuu Taya Foundation which is dedicated to aiding Venezuelans struggling along the Colombian border. She was appointed the UNESCO Artist for Peace and is a Goodwill Ambassador at the Organization of the American States.
The next night, at 8 p.m., at Regal Cinemas South Beach, OUTshine focus on romance with its Ladies Spotlight Film, Anaïs in Love (2021). This romantic French comedy follows 30-and-broke Anaïs. She has a lover, but she’s not sure she still embraces him. She meets Daniel, who immediately falls for her. But Daniel lives with Emilie — whom Anaïs also falls for. Post-viewing, attendees can enjoy an after-party.
On Apr. 28, at 8 p.m., enjoy a feast for the senses at Miami Beach Botanical Gardens during the South Florida premiere of the festival Centerpiece film, Girl Picture (Työt Työt Työt) (2022). This Sundance Film Festival Audience Award-winner follows three girls coming of age in Finland. It paints a heartwarming story of friendship, and of three exhilaratingly headstrong individuals trying to wrestle dreams from reality and redefining relationships and sexuality along the way. An after-party will follow.
For the Men’s Spotlight film, it’s an evening of erotic romance on Apr. 30, at 8:30 p.m., at Regal Cinemas South Beach as two young men make a connection neither of them expects or knows how to navigate in the Australian feature Lonesome (2021). This film takes audiences on a thrilling, hedonistic, erotic journey, depicting two characters, who not only seek sexual fulfillment but also acceptance and a meaningful bond.
Special not-to-be missed films include the North American premieres of All Our Fears (2021), a Polish drama directed by Lukasz Ronduda, and Swing Ride (Calcinculo) (2022), an Italian-Swiss drama from Chiara Bellosi plus the U.S. premiere of What We Know (Lo Que Sabemos) (2021), a Catalan romance from director Jordi Nunez.
Other notable award-winning entries include The Divide (La Fracture) (2021), a French comedy-drama directed by Catherine Corisini and winner of the Queer Palm (Best LGBT Film) – Cannes Film Festival; Finlandia (2021), a Spanish romance from Horacio Alcala; Framing Agnes (2021) a Sundance Next Innovator Award-winning trans documentary from director Chase Joynt, and Private Desert (Deserto Particular) (2021) by Aly Muritaba, a Brazilian submission to the 94th Academy Awards.
OUTshine wraps it all up on May 1 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Sandrell Rivers Theater with the Closing Night film Cop Secret (2021), an Icelandic action comedy, and its annual audience film awards soiree.
Gilbert added, “As part of our inclusive mission, we’ve lowered admission packages, and we’re offering special pricing and at-home viewing options to reduce the financial burden for all. It’s important to us to foster a sense of belonging through these shared creative endeavors.”
OUTrageous, OUTspoken, and OUTstanding, the 24th annual OUTshine Film Festival Miami is presented by Lexus, Gilead and Miami-Dade County.
Tickets are available for online purchase and start at just $8 for individual films with group discounts and additional offers available. For more information, films line-up and tickets for the 24th annual OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Miami, call 877-766-8156 or visit outshinefilm.com. A full schedule of parties and special events will be available at outshinefilm.com/events.
