'Freelancers Anonymous' opens 36th Reeling LGBTQ Film Fest on Thursday
Wed. September 19, 2018 3:34 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
Chicago, IL -
The 36th edition of Reeling — the world's second-oldest LGBTQ film festival — will launch its presentation of 31 features and 19 shorts with a party and screening of Freelancers Anonymous at the Davis Theater in the Lincoln Square neighborhood on Thursday, Sept. 20.
"This year's programming has a strong historical bent, with films ranging from portrayals of literary figures from the 1800s to reflections on LGBTQ culture of the 1970s and '80s; but the festival also embraces the 'now' as we present diverse contemporary stories and introduce the work of new and emerging artists who may be sharing their first films with our audience," said festival founder Brenda Webb.
The Chicago-based Freelancers Anonymous, a lesbian-centric screwball comedy, opens the festival. The film, which focuses on a woman who quits her dead-end job and tries to refocus her life while at the same time managing her relationship with her demanding fiancé, stars Lisa Cordileone and Natasha Negovanlis and was directed by Sonia Sebastion.
A pair of cast members from Freelancers Anonymous will be on hand to celebrate the premiere at the Davis Theater: Lisa Cordileone (Easy Abby) who plays Billie; and Natasha Negovanlis, (Almost Adults) who plays Billie's fiancée, Gayle.
Other special guests appearances appearing at the festival include Rupert Everett (Another Country; My Best Friend's Wedding), actor-turned-director of the Oscar Wilde biopic The Happy Prince, on Thursday, September 27 at 7:00 p.m.
Scud — the renowned LGBT filmmaker from Hong Kong — will attend the North American Premiere premier of his film, Adonis, on Tuesday September 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Other high-profile Reeling titles include Mapplethorpe, a drama about the controversial but groundbreaking artist that stars Matt Smith (The Crown; Dr. Who), and Studio 54, a documentary that features that nightclub's co-owner Ian Schrager in conversation about what really went on behind the scenes behind one of the most infamous velvet ropes in history.
A locally produced documentary, The Queens, charts the production of the 2011 Miss Continental beauty pageant and stemmed from an initial attempt at producing a reality series based on the show, which has long been associated with Chicago's Baton Show Lounge.
Related: Former Chicagoan Danny Bernardo brings 'Jerky' to Midwest premiere at Reeling
All of the films in the lineup, which runs through September 30, are Chicago premieres.
Principal festival venues include Landmark's Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Clark St.; Davis Theater, 4614 N. Lincoln Ave; and Chicago Filmmakers' headquarters, 5720 N. Ridge Ave. For a complete schedule and ticket information click here.
"This year's programming has a strong historical bent, with films ranging from portrayals of literary figures from the 1800s to reflections on LGBTQ culture of the 1970s and '80s; but the festival also embraces the 'now' as we present diverse contemporary stories and introduce the work of new and emerging artists who may be sharing their first films with our audience," said festival founder Brenda Webb.
The Chicago-based Freelancers Anonymous, a lesbian-centric screwball comedy, opens the festival. The film, which focuses on a woman who quits her dead-end job and tries to refocus her life while at the same time managing her relationship with her demanding fiancé, stars Lisa Cordileone and Natasha Negovanlis and was directed by Sonia Sebastion.
A pair of cast members from Freelancers Anonymous will be on hand to celebrate the premiere at the Davis Theater: Lisa Cordileone (Easy Abby) who plays Billie; and Natasha Negovanlis, (Almost Adults) who plays Billie's fiancée, Gayle.
Other special guests appearances appearing at the festival include Rupert Everett (Another Country; My Best Friend's Wedding), actor-turned-director of the Oscar Wilde biopic The Happy Prince, on Thursday, September 27 at 7:00 p.m.
Scud — the renowned LGBT filmmaker from Hong Kong — will attend the North American Premiere premier of his film, Adonis, on Tuesday September 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Other high-profile Reeling titles include Mapplethorpe, a drama about the controversial but groundbreaking artist that stars Matt Smith (The Crown; Dr. Who), and Studio 54, a documentary that features that nightclub's co-owner Ian Schrager in conversation about what really went on behind the scenes behind one of the most infamous velvet ropes in history.
A locally produced documentary, The Queens, charts the production of the 2011 Miss Continental beauty pageant and stemmed from an initial attempt at producing a reality series based on the show, which has long been associated with Chicago's Baton Show Lounge.
Related: Former Chicagoan Danny Bernardo brings 'Jerky' to Midwest premiere at Reeling
All of the films in the lineup, which runs through September 30, are Chicago premieres.
Principal festival venues include Landmark's Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Clark St.; Davis Theater, 4614 N. Lincoln Ave; and Chicago Filmmakers' headquarters, 5720 N. Ridge Ave. For a complete schedule and ticket information click here.