I love it when the Queer Film Festival pushes the envelope. A couple years ago, we were treated to Reflection / Refraction, taken up by the Queer Arts Festival this year. Last night things got really meta when eight filmmakers and creators (mostly local) got up for eight Pechakucha-style presentations on queer cinema and how it represents and affects queer lives.
From Adam Goldman (creator of The Outs) and Isolde N. Baron going over the movies and TV shows that molded them into the fabulous queens they are today, to Aerlyn Weisman discussing some of the lesbian / bi leading ladies of Hollywood’s Golden Age, to Gwen Haworth showing how representations of trans people have been changing over the years, to Emma Kivisild a.k.a. Lizard Jones of the Kiss and Tell collective and Peggy Thompson talking about how their respective film and art projects have affected their lives, there was an awesome diversity of people and perspectives.
And the reminder that yes, movies matter. They shape culture and individual minds, but likewise film is not a static medium; even Hollywood evolves, and individual filmmakers can make a difference. We are all shaping our culture, influencing other tender young minds. Where will we be in a generation? If these speakers are any indication, it should be pretty kickass.