Day of Queer Film

>>>Sunday, February 23, 2003, 1:00pm onward

>>>Arts Bldg Screening Room, UC Riverside

>>>FREE to the public (parking $5)

1:00pm - "Girls on Film" - lesbian shorts

Discussion with film-maker Lisa Ginsberg & Power-Up spokesperson John Crabtree-Ireland

Sponsored by Power-Up

• “Sleeping Beauties" - Directed by Jamie Babbit. This modern-day fairy tale stars Radha Mitchell, Rose McGowan, Leisha Hailey, and Clea DuVall. An Official Sundance Selection.
• “Stuck” - Directed by Jamie Babbit. A wry, dark comedy about two octogenarians stuck in a relationship that needs a release. This film won the Grand Prize at the HBO/Planet Out Short Movie Awards and received an Honorable Mention at the Sundance Film Festival.
• “Breaking Up Really Sucks” - Features Alexandra Paul, who plays a lesbian experiencing the thrill of a new relationship… and the disappointment as it falls apart. It’s directed by Jennifer McGlone and written by Pamela S. Busch.
• “Chicken Night” - Written by Deidre Strohm. this film tells the story of a little girl and her mother who cook up much more than that special meal together. It stars Ione Skye and is directed by Lisa Ginsburg.
• “Size ‘Em Up” - Stars Julie Brown and directed by Chris Russo.
• “The Ten Rules (a Lesbian Survival Guide)”  - Features Megan Cavanagh and writer/actress Michelle Paradise. It was directed by Lee Friedlander, who won a 2002 POWER UP directing grant.
• “The Gay Graduate” and “Goodfaigolas” - Part of the “Gay Propaganda” series.
• “MEEP MEEP!” - Written and directed by Jenni Olson, creator of the PlanetOut.com “Popcorn Q” gay movie web site. It was an Official Sundance Selection.
• Running Time: 94 minutes total

3:15pm - "Queen of the Whole Wide World"

Discussion with film-maker Roger Hyde

Warning! This is film is highly contagious. This exceptionally spirited documentary follows the trials and tribulations of the (best) seven contestants who competed for the “Queen of the Whole Wide World” title in Los Angeles (1989), a sort of send-up spoof of the Miss America pageant. It does not matter that Miss Antarctica is supposedly snow blind, that Miss Saudi Arabia has to wear her swimsuit over her clothes or that Miss Norway is a black muscleman. Each contestant is a cutie in her (or his) own particular way. And after all, the proceeds go towards a good cause, to raise a huge bundle for people living with HIV and AIDS.

Director Hyde includes interviews of the contestants, having them talk about first doing drag, their thoughts of the contest, their aspirations and on a more serious note, the effect of AIDS on their lives. Interspersed with these interviews are the preparation sessions. All these are interesting enough. The huge Miss Russia takes ballet lessons; Miss Antarctica trains her sleigh dogs for a glorious exit, Miss France practices the can-can. Hyde finally focuses the film on the actual event showing both the delight and frustrations of the artistes. Best of all, he shows that these queens are also human beings with a big heart (even though they can also turn into major bitches). 105 minutes.

5:15pm - "Queer As F**K" - gay short films

Twisted tales from innovative gay filmmakers make up this collection of sexy and surreal gay shorts. Filled with party-loving plastic dolls, vogueing traffic cops, mad scientists, stuttering sidekicks, and adorable break-dancing foreign exchange students, these award-winning hilarious and provocative films are as queer as a three dollar bill!! Films include: Jeffrey's Hollywood Screen Trick; Shame No More; Soda Pop; The Trey Billings Show as well as bonus films Dirty Baby Does Fire Island and Pyongyang Robogirl. 73 minutes.