Are you looking for an interesting and purposeful way to build relationships with each other and with gay people? Perhaps it might be interesting and useful to go to an LGBT film festival together. With hundreds of films presented and thousands of people coming to the screenings, gay and lesbian film festivals are a unique chance to watch remarkable queer movies, communicate with like-minded people, and enjoy the feeling of unity and openness. So, this article will be focused on discussing what is special about LGBT film festivals and giving some recommendations on how to enjoy the experience as a couple.
What Are LGBT Film Festivals?
LGBT film festivals are events usually lasting for several days that are aimed at the screening of films which are created by us; lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender people and other queer individuals or which are dedicated to the subject. They are also referred to as gay or queer film festivals and occur in cities across the globe, with the events ranging from small-scale local events to large international events.
The festivals usually entail the following elements: a list of promising features and documentaries, short films, and LGBTQ+ classics, among others, with performances and works focusing on the queer community and artists. However, what people fail to realize is that, in addition to screening movies, LGBTQ+ film festivals are lively cultural events inclusive of post-screening discussions with directors, dancing, art, performances from drag queens, discussions, and interactions, and even more fun and mingling.
The first gay film festival was Frameline, which started in San Francisco back in 1977. There are now over six hundred festivals that take place every year that are exclusively gay and lesbian-themed, running the gamut from London to Mumbai to Melbourne. Some of the major events are Outfest in Los Angeles, NewFest in New York, Reeling in Chicago, and a host of others.
Why Attend an LGBT Film Festival With Your Partner?
For gay couples, attending an LGBT film festival together can be an incredibly fun, meaningful bonding experience. Here are some of the top reasons to go:
See Your Experiences and Identities Reflected on Screen
LGBT film festivals are one of the most valuable because it is inspiring to watch queer lives and queer love portrayed in such a realistic manner. For those who consume largely queer creative works, such a celebration is important for bringing visibility to a population that is often underrepresented in the mainstream media.
As queer people, it is a powerful experience to be in the theater, side by side with your partner and other members of the Queer community, and see queer characters find love, navigate issues that we all can relate to, and triumph in the face of adversity. The feelings of joy or surprise that can be obtained from watching a funny clip or being shocked by a twist in a movie make memorable moments and invite further discussion in the couple.
Discover Exciting New Queer Films and Filmmakers
LGBT film festivals are also where one can find the most emerging, experimental and avant-garde films for lesbians and gays. In addition to gay and lesbian dramas and comedies, recent queer cinema hits, and art-house essentials, it also offers a wealth of edgy new material from young directors that you won’t find elsewhere.
For couples who are huge fans of movies, festivals are an opportunity to be fans together of new talents, unfamiliar independent movies and the most daring and significant LGBTQ+ movies of the year. You and your significant other can make your own lineup, discuss afterwards, and potentially even run into some of these directors and actors at Q&As and other social events.
Connect With Your Local LGBTQ+ Community
Thus, going to your local LGBT film festival is an excellent way for couples to get connected to the queer population of your city. While most of the festivals are popular among the young and relatively diverse, the attendees are often from a diverse background of LGBTQ+ people, which allows people to meet people from different backgrounds and add new friends to their list.
It also helps to have a friend to sit with and strike up conversations with the other people at the festival: in line for tickets and snacks or just waiting for the next movie to start. And those idle conversations can result in new friend connections, business referrals, or a sense of connection to the queer community where you live.
Many festivals also feature other formats that can be associated with a community, such as town hall meetings, book clubs, speed dating, and panel discussions on issues that affect queer people in the specific locality. These are good to attend with a partner because they can lead to good discussions that will open up your partner and help you discover what you have in common in terms of interests and what you can do together as a couple.
Image Source: artsandculture
Get Glammed Up for Fabulous Festival Parties
Of course, LGBT film festivals are not a mere reflection of the high-brow cultural analysis — they are a lot of fun! The afterparties and special events are excellent opportunities for couples to make an effort and go out together.
Festival parties can be as simple as cocktail parties, as flamboyant as drag shows, or as wild as night-long dance parties with international DJs. No matter which scene, it is always fun to put on a costume, get on the dance floor and mingle with fellow festival attendees, the filmmakers and the stars.
This is particularly fulfilling to couples because it provides an opportunity for them to literally let their hair down in a non-judgmental queer environment. Also, getting up the following morning to discuss the highlights of the night is just as thrilling. Just don’t overdo it —some film festivals last for weeks, and afterparties can give you quite the hangover.
Tips for LGBT Film Festival Couples
Ready to attend an LGBT film festival with your partner? Here are some tips to help you make the most of it:
- Plan ahead: Buy tickets in advance: for popular films, their showings can be very quickly sold out. Select the places that are extremely important, and then make your schedule together.
- Keep an open mind: Do not stick to what you like and are familiar with; try new films and attend different events. I always wonder what new shows and movies I will end up loving!
- Stash some snacks: The queues can be long, and the screenings are very closely packed, so do not forget to carry some snacks and a water bottle along with you in order to ward off hunger pangs and dehydration.
- Go with the flow: Plan for some unpredictability in your day. One of the most memorable conversations at the festival is the one that was chosen spontaneously.
- Respect the space: As for many LGBTQ+ people, festivals are significant, special, and safe places where one can be seen. Always acknowledge the feelings and personal space of the other person.
- Debrief and integrate: Ensure you have the time to discuss the films with your partner. What did it make you think or feel? What kind of talks did they encourage? Think about how you both could incorporate these lessons and inspirations into your life together.
Come Out and Celebrate at an LGBT Film Festival
For gay couples, LGBT film festivals offer so much more than just two hours in the dark. They are fests, cultural parades, platforms for queer artists and activism, and fun arenas to be fabulous and fabulous in all colors. So gather the companion, get some popcorn, and let the gay-crying begin: let’s embrace the cinema of queer tales. In those special moments of queer bonding/ affirmation, one might just be swept off their feet all over again.
