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OCTOBER 14-16, 2022 AT THE NEON

About Us

The Dayton LGBT Film Festival is in its 17th Year, and we're back in-person at THE NEON... and it's an important time to show our strength in numbers. As the LGBTQ+ community comes under more and more attack these days, finding ways to build community through sharing our stories is valuable.

In addition to 6 different screenings (totaling 13 shorts and 5 features), we will bring back our Opening Night Party (this time at Top of the Market) as well as visiting filmmakers. It's an exciting and strong line-up.

In an effort to continue providing a safe gathering space, we still won't be at maximum capacity this year. Therefore, if ticket sales are swift, it is possible that encore screenings will be added through Oct. 17-20. Stay tuned!

Schedule

Friday, Oct 14

Keep the Cameras Rolling: The Pedro Zamora Way

This is the true story of a pandemic; politics; misunderstanding and prejudice; the impact of the media; and, most importantly, AIDS activist Pedro Zamora - told by people who knew and loved him. Pedro refused to give in to the disease he knew would kill him, demanding throughout his decline and hospitalization that MTV “keep the cameras rolling."

Preceded by INSIDE THE BEAUTY BUBBLE; dir Julia Cheryl Bookout & Cheri Gaulke; 30 min
A year in the life of a flamboyant collector of hair artifacts fighting to keep his salon and roadside attraction as they face a year of lockdowns, protests and societal change.

Opening Night Party

Attendees of KEEP THE CAMERA ROLLING are invited to the OPENING NIGHT PARTY at Top of the Market (32 Webster St).

Saturday, Oct 15

Top Drawer Shorts

F^¢K ‘€M R!GHT B@¢K / DIR. HARRIS DORAN / 13 MIN An aspiring rapper must outwit his vengeful day-job boss.

SPLIT SOLE / DIR. BARNABY BOULTON / 13 MIN Two young men secretly express their feelings for each other through their love of dancing.

WORK / DIR. APRIL MAXEY / 13 MIN Unable to move on from a recent breakup, Gabi impulsively drops into an old job where she runs into a friend from her past.

UNICORN / DIR. MATT PORTER / 14 MIN A bisexual man meets a couple to explore the possibilities of life as a ‘unicorn:’ a drama free, emotionally non-threatening third person in their relationship.

CODE SWITCH / DIR. DAVIS ALEXANDER JAMES & MICHA / 5 MIN A Black trans person navigates the barbershop, illuminating the complexity and dynamism of gender expression.

SMALL CONGRATULATIONS / DIR. JESSIE POSTHUMUS / 6 MIN A queer writer tells the story of joining a women’s community hockey league to gain confidence and access to a community they deeply value.

HOW NOT TO DATE WHILE TRANS / DIR. NYALA MOON / 12 MIN A break-the-fourth-wall, dark comedy that follows the dating life of a Black trans woman.

TANK FAIRY / DIR. ERICH RETTSTADT / 10 MIN The magical Tank Fairy delivers tanks of gas (with plenty of sass) to the home of a lonely dreamer in need of a glittery godmother.

TROY / DIR. MIKE DONAHUE / 16 MIN A darkly comedic tale about the unexpected consequences of unasked-for intimacy..

BLACK AS U R

Do all Black lives matter - or only heterosexual Black lives? This is the question theater and film director Micheal Rice powerfully explores in this deep, necessary dive into the intertwined damage of racism and homophobia within Black communities. Brilliantly weaving together history and contemporary lived experience, Rice revisits gay civil rights icons James Baldwin and Bayard Rustin, interviews preachers and professors, and talks to Black trans youth.

Preceded by CANS CAN’T STAND; dir Matt Nadel & Megan Plotka; 19 min
Since 1982, police have weaponized Louisiana’s Crime Against Nature by Solicitation (CANS) law to terrorize queer/trans Louisianians. This doc follows a group of Black trans women in New Orleans who are fighting to repeal that law.

So Damn Easy Going

Joanna exists in a state of constant motion. In truth, she’s doing everything she can to outrun her own emotions and intense ADHD. The only time she’s at peace is in the water, swimming as if her life depends on it. Just as Joanna’s luck would have it, trouble at home and with finances leave her without the prescription that makes her symptoms manageable at exactly the same time an intriguing new girl appears at school.

Preceded by THE SYED FAMILY XMAS EVE GAME NIGHT; dir Fawzia Mirza; 11 min
All cards are on the table when a queer Pakistani Muslim woman brings her Puerto Rican partner home for the first time.

Sunday, Oct 16

Nelly & Nadine

Ravensbrück concentration camp, Christmas Eve 1944: A female inmate is ordered to sing Christmas carols, when a voice calls out “Sing something from Madame Butterfly!” So begins the long-hidden, extraordinary love story of two prisoners from the Resistance: Nelly & Nadine. From the bowels of hell itself, their relationship blossoms and transforms into a deepening love. Now Nelly’s granddaughter Sylvie, keeper of the family archives and its secrets, delves into the past and uncovers a trove of writing, films, and photos that her family has ignored for decades.

Preceded by MONSIEUR LE BUTCH; dir Jude Dry; 12 min
When Jude ends up unexpectedly living at home in their 30s, they must deal with a lovingly opinionated Jewish mother who doesn't quite get the whole “trans thing.”

In From the Side

As a “B Squad” of gay athletes tries to overcome inexperience and push past rivalries to score an elusive win, a secret affair simmers among them. This British drama is a deep dive into rugby—half macho battlefield, half tender brotherhood—but don’t sweat the rules (or “laws,” which even the sport’s fans find impenetrable): the real drama occurs off the field as infidelities, heartbreak, and unimpeded passions rule the day.

Monday, Oct 17

BLACK AS U R - Encore Screening

Do all Black lives matter - or only heterosexual Black lives? This is the question theater and film director Micheal Rice powerfully explores in this deep, necessary dive into the intertwined damage of racism and homophobia within Black communities. Brilliantly weaving together history and contemporary lived experience, Rice revisits gay civil rights icons James Baldwin and Bayard Rustin, interviews preachers and professors, and talks to Black trans youth.

Preceded by CANS CAN’T STAND; dir Matt Nadel & Megan Plotka; 19 min
Since 1982, police have weaponized Louisiana’s Crime Against Nature by Solicitation (CANS) law to terrorize queer/trans Louisianians. This doc follows a group of Black trans women in New Orleans who are fighting to repeal that law.

TICKETS

GET TICKETS

ALL ACCESS Passes Available Sept. 9

SINGLE TICKETS Available Sept. 16.

AVAILABLE NOW

FEST SCHOLARSHIP

Apply for free fest access, couresty of our sponsors.

APPLY NOW

FEST INFO

VENUE

The fest takes place at THE NEON movie theater in downtown Dayton. There are several restaurants located within walking distance of the theater.

Map
PARKING

Free parking is available directly across the street from THE NEON.

ATTEND

Tickets can be purchased online or at THE NEON.

Please arrive before the screening is scheduled to begin. The festival reserves the right to resell any unclaimed tickets or empty seats at the scheduled start time for each screening. Seating will be open this year, and Sponsors and "All Access" passholders will be given the first opportunity to select their seats.

SPONSORS

Thanks to all of our sponsors! Without their assistance, the festival couldn't happen. Costs to produce a festival go well beyond the rental of each film, and their support helps to keep ticket costs low. We encourage you to thank each of our sponsors - both verbally and by supporting their businesses when possible.

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Additional sponsors include:
Ken Byers, Kurt Fleagle & Warren Riffle, Johnny, Kevin Moore & Scott Stoney, Jess Robb, Sue Spiegel & Lisa Hanauer, Chase Whiteside, and Paul Woodie.