The People Acting for Change and Equality will use cinematic arts to spark a conversation about LGBT issues and life in its ninth annual North Louisiana Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Sept. 8-14 at Robinson Film Center in downtown Shreveport.

NLGLFF returns with 11 feature and seven short films, a host of panel discussions, Q&As, reception and more to not only entertain but to engage and educate audiences about the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

“One of the biggest things I look for is, ‘What are the films that are going to start a conversation?’” said Brad Campbell, film festival co-chair.

This year, topics will range from marriage equality to violence against transgender people to legal processes and laws.



“People want to be educated on different topics,” said Moises Serrano, who shares his personal experiences as a Mexican immigrant and gay man in the documentary, "Forbidden: Undocumented and Queer in Rural America."

“Film festivals are a great way to learn new things and experience new narratives and to expand your world a little bit. I definitely advocate for anyone to come out and support the film festival," he said.



The NLGLFF committee also aimed to balance the festival with a mix of movie genres and character types so audience members – whether they be straight allies or LGBT community members — will be able to relate to the stories on the screen.



“It’s so important not just for people in the LGBT community, but for anyone to look up at the screen and see themselves and see something they relate to and can feel something from. I really think we did that this year,” said film festival chair Samantha Ortiz.



The NLGLFF is one of PACE’s annual fundraisers, making it possible for the group to continue advocacy work for LGBT youth and adults in northwest Louisiana. The organization has been a voice for the community and through the film festival, they'll present the unheard stories and different perspectives and bring LGBT issues to light for the public.



“LGBT film festivals are critically necessary to personalize and humanize these issues,” Serrano said.

The festival has a proven track record to bring relevant and hot topic issues to the forefront, spurring actions to be taken in the local community. Prior years spurred local school boards to examine their LGBT-training methods for staff members and address issues of bullying of LGBT students, Campbell said.

And another year, a conflict between a Shreveport city council member against NLGLFF’s showing at the Robinson led to public debate and the passing of a citywide non-discriminatory law by former Mayor Cedric Glover, Campbell said.



For its ninth year, the festival forges on to present a collection of side-splitting comedies, dramatic narratives and heart-wrenching documentaries that will inspire, educate and keep the conversation flowing.

DOCUMENTARIES

“Forbidden: Undocumented and Queer in Rural America,” “Check It” and “The Life and Death of Marsha P. Johnson”



Activist and storyteller Moises Serrano aims to spark a conversation about immigration laws and available resources for LGBT youth in rural communities.



"Forbidden: Undocumented and Queer in Rural America” follows Serrano's personal trials and tribulations as a gay man and Mexican immigrant as he exposes flawed systems and debunks stereotypes.



“'Forbidden' is a conversation starter: It’s a tool and a resource for people who don’t know how to speak about the issues of undocumented immigration,” Serrano said. “'Forbidden' aims at personalizing the issue of undocumented immigration, which is a very controversial issue in itself... (It’s) educating regular Americans about the reality of the immigration system and hopefully breaks down stereotypes and obstacles that surround the undocumented community.”



Serrano will host a Q&A session after the Sept. 10 screening about the filmmaking process, topics and ways the public can get involved on a local level to improve conditions.

Two of the featured documentaries are aimed to raise awareness of the issue of violence against the LGBT community.

“Check It,” follows a black, gay gang in Washington, D.C. that formed as a method of protection for its members.



“They started their own gang and they fight back and protect each other,” Campbell said.



The gang members counter-active response may not have been the best method, Ortiz said, but the documentary provides personal accounts as to why members felt it necessary to survive.



“They don’t know what else to do but ban together and be there for each other," Ortiz said. "Though it may not be the right way of addressing the issues, it’s the only way they feel they have to protect themselves.”



And “The Life and Death of Marsha P. Johnson” re-examines the controversial circumstances of the death of a transgender activist in 1992. Violence against transgender people continues to be an issue, Campbell said. And 25 years later, activist Victoria Cruz takes the audience through her investigation of Johnson’s suspected murder, as well as celebrates her extraordinary life’s accomplishments.



Cruz will host a panel discussion Sept. 12 after the screening of the film.

“I’m most excited about ‘Forbidden’ and ‘The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson’ because both of the panels are very important,” Campbell said. “’Forbidden’ is about undocumented immigrants in the United States and the other about violence against the transgender community. We need to talk about it and this will be a good way to continue that conversation.”

COMEDY

“Cherry Pop” and “A Very Sordid Wedding”



In “Cherry Pop,” see what happens on a wild and crazy night at a drag club when the matriarch refuses to leave her dressing room and a newcomer faces off against veteran queens who resort to backstabbing antics.

Fans of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will see a familiar face as the award-winning movie stars Caldwell Tidicue — also known as Bob the Drag Queen — who won Season 8 of the reality television show.



“A Very Sordid Wedding” takes a comedic approach to tell the tale of a gay couple who plan to marry in a community not ready to accept it. The film highlights the real issues of marriage equality, bigotry and cultural acceptance.



On Sept. 9, stay after the ”A Very Sordid Wedding” credits roll for a Q&A session with cast members Emerson Collins, Blake McIver Ewing and Ann Walker. Before the screening, hang out with the actors at NLGLFF's special reception and meet and greet — themed as a Texan wedding in light of "A Very Sordid Wedding" — along with Moises Serrano of “Forbidden.” Reception tickets will be required for entry.

DRAMA

“Handsome Devil,” “Signature Move,” “A Date for Mad Mary,” "God's Own Country," “Princess Cyd” and “Rent”



A couple of dramas have topped Ortiz’ list of personal favorites for this year’s festival.



In “Handsome Devil,” an effeminate loner and macho star rugby player are paired together as roommates at their boarding school. The feature film follows the two boys as they find the value of each other’s friendship and are forced to defend it to authorities.



A panel discussion with local LGBT athletes will follow the Sept. 11 screening.



“Handsome Devil” is a fictional story depicting the truth many in the LGBT community deal with on a daily basis, said Ortiz, who’s personally witnessed the conflicts as a soccer player. “There are so many issues athletes face that are behind closed doors—and you don’t get to talk about it, you don’t get to have feelings about it."



LGBT players on team sports aren’t always accepted and the issue is particularly more difficult for men, she said. And even off the field and courts, LGBT athletes sometimes fear the backlash of the public knowing their sexual orientation.



“I’m excited about the potential for the city to start that conversation,” Ortiz said. “I know people who are coaches who say they would love to be on the panel, but they were scared they would lose their job, or scared parents would pull their kids and not let them coach their children. That’s a problem and something we need to talk about and that the city needs to be aware of.”



Ortiz also will be in the audience for the romantic drama/comedy “Signature Move,” which is about Pakistani Muslim lesbian in Chicago who falls in love with a bold, bright Mexican woman. The story follows the main character’s journey to find her identity in life, love and wrestling.



“Signature Move,” along with the dramas “A Date for Mad Mary” and “Princess Cyd,” will be a part of the “Girl’s Night” opening night kickoff, Ortiz said. The evening will include happy hour cocktails specials and themed drinks at RFC's Abby Singer's Bistro.

And on Sept. 10, catch the one-time screening of "God's Own Country" —a tumultuous tale of a sheep farmer who struggles with binge drinking and casual sex and his intense relationship with a migrant worker who comes to work on the farm for the season.



Finally, Ortiz said she is excited for the showing of the Tony Award-winning musical, “Rent.” The classic film will conclude the NLGLFF on Sept. 14 —coined #ThrowbackThursday— and audience members are encouraged to sing-a-long with the hit songs. And afterward, head over to Korner Lounge to take center stage for “Broadway Karaoke."

FEATURE FILMS

Check It (documentary)

Cherry Pop (comedy)

A Date for Mad Mary (drama)

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (documentary)

Handsome Devil (drama)

Forbidden: Undocumented and Queer in Rural America (documentary)

God's Own Country (drama)

Princess Cyd (drama)

Rent (musical)

Signature Move (drama/comedy)

A Very Sordid Wedding (comedy)

SHORTS

(Showing Sept. 13)

After Claudetteia

Bayard and Me

Hookup

I Like Girls

Men Don't Whisper

The News Today

Picture This

If you go

What: 9th annual North Louisiana Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

Presented by PACE

Where: Robinson Film Center, 617 Texas St., downtown Shreveport

When: Sept. 8-14

Cost: $40 festival pass for 5 film screenings; Or individual ticket sales available at the regular RFC ticket prices; RFC, PACE and military discounts will be honored for showtimes. Reception tickets available for $25 at nlglff.org/reception.

Info: For more information about the NLGLFF and to review the full schedule and showtimes, visit nlglff.org.

To learn more about PACE, visit www.pacelouisiana.org or www.facebook.com/pacelouisiana.