The Queer Sundance Movie Poster Show (1985-2007)

Throughout the run of Queer Lounge, the second floor has been packed with incredible movie posters of LGBT films which have screened at Sundance during the last two decades. Curated by Jenni Olson (author, The Queer Movie Poster Book) and Ellen Huang (founder and program director of Queer Lounge), the posters reflect the great range of gay cinema.

Highlights included the key art of classics like Desert Hearts (1985) and Parting Glances (1986) to recent favorites like Saving Face (2005) and this year's Pariah.

Ellen Tells All!

We are pleased to offer an interview with Ellen Huang, Queer Lounge's founder and program director for GLAAD. Learn how Queer Lounge got its start and what Ellen thinks is the best part of the Lounge in '08. You may be surprised by her answer!

Rex Lee: Sundance and Beyond

Our friend Rex Lee from HBO's Entourage has made the rounds at Sundance the past few days, presenting the nominations for the GLAAD Media Awards, and telling his own "When I Knew" story at a Queer Lounge panel based on the book and HBO documentary.

Today we are releasing our latest Be an Ally & a Friend PSA and it just so happens to star -- drum roll please -- Mr. Rex Lee. While it may seem like I am wearing a crush on Rex on my sleeve, the PSA has long been on our calendar to release in recognition of Lunar New Year.

The PSA will make its broadcast television premiere on Thursday, February 7, on ImaginAsian TV (iaTV) and AZN Television in honor of the Chinese New Year, which is the largest Lunar New Year celebration within the East Asian community. But you don't have to wait until then and can see it here...

Calling all filmmakers: You CAN distribute films yourselves!

As many burgeoning filmmakers know, figuring out how to distribute your finished product can be difficult, terrifying and/or frustrating. Queer Lounge hosted a strong panel today filled with experts from all areas of the spectrum, ready to answer the toughest of questions from the audience, many of whom were filmmakers and distributers themselves.

Two indie directors, Maurice Jamal (Dirty Laundry) and Hunter Weeks (10mph) were on hand to share their own experiences with self-distribution. Leslie Nuccio (Cafe Press) and Maria Lynn (Wolfe Video) were available to discuss marketing. There was even a representative from YouTube, George Strompolos, to talk about the option of having an entire original film posted on the site and even ad revenue sharing opportunities. Frameline's Michael Lumpkin moderated the panel.

Maurice Jamal described how he self-distributed and promoted his two films, Ski Trip and Dirty Laundry.

He also gave some advice to young filmmakers on how to market their work.

The Advocate joins Queer Lounge for a frank discussion

It may have been snowing outside, but the temperature inside Queer Lounge was raised by its sixth and final panel, "Gay Filmmakers and Sexual Provocation," presented by The Advocate. Out directors Bruce LaBruce (Otto; or Up with Dead People), Isaac Julien (Derek) and Lesli Klainberg (Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema) joined moderator Kyle Buchanan (film critic for The Advocate) for a lively discussion of sexuality in lesbian and gay cinema.  Check out some highlights below! 

Bruce LaBruce talks about his early days in filmmaking:

Isaac Julien discusses Derek Jarman's 1976 film Sebastiane. 

Lesli Klainberg examines how film has changed since the '90s.

EXCLUSIVE: An Interview with Oscar-Nominated Cynthia Wade

Just hours after receiving word that she had been nominated for an Oscar for her short doc Freeheld, director-producer Cynthia Wade joined me at the Queer Lounge in Park City for her first sit-down interview.

As GLAAD's Entertainment Media Director, I have been following the path of this film since seeing its premiere here at Sundance once year ago, encouraging everyone to see it who has the opportunity. The moving story of Laurel Hester has the capacity to change hearts and minds and, as you'll hear from Cynthia, is doing just that. With the Oscar nod, Freeheld is poised to reach an even larger audience during this election year with its important message.

As a married mother of two, Cynthia has gone above and beyond in taking a stand for LGBT equality and carrying on Laurel Hester's legacy. She is quickly becoming one of our strongest straight allies, and for that, we are extremely grateful.

Oscar Nod Goes to Freeheld

Woke up this morning in Park City to the great news that the documentary short Freeheld, from Cynthia Wade and Vanessa Roth, has picked up an Oscar nomination in the Best Documentary Short Subject category. The film chronicles the final days of police detective Laurel Hester as she fights to transfer her pension benefits to her domestic partner before she dies. It was one year ago that Freeheld premiered here at Sundance (it won the festival's Special Jury Prize), and wherever it has been shown on its path to Oscar gold, it has moved audiences to tears. The filmmakers did an emotional interview of Hester speaking about the film, shot six weeks before her death.

Also nominated in the same Oscar category is a short doc that is currently showing here at Sundance: La Corona (The Crown), about a unique beauty pageant in a women's prison in Bogota.