Get 'Wicked Queer' @ Boston Film Fest

Wicked Queer: The Boston LGBT Film Festival is proud to announce the program for the 32nd Edition! With films from over 20 countries and more than 40 programs across 11 days. New England's largest celebration of queer cinema has something for everyone.

A new web look and a new name mark Boston's LGBT Film Festival as it returns for its 32nd year. Rebranded "Wicked Queer," the annual film festival takes over Boston and Cambridge screens starting on March 31 at the Institute of Contemporary Art and running through April 10 with some 120 films from over 20 countries.

For tickets to this event and a full festival schedule, visit the festivals newly designed website at http://www.wickedqueer.org.

The opening night attraction is "Viva," the Sundance hit set in contemporary Havana about a gay hairdresser who wants to be a drag performer attempting to reconcile with his hostile dad. When the film premiered last September at the Telluride Film Festival, the Hollywood Reporter wrote: "One of the audience favorites at this year's festival was an Irish-Cuban movie, 'Viva,' that is a genuine crowd-pleaser likely to find an appreciative American audience."

The screening will be followed by an opening night reception at EMPIRE restaurant and lounge.

The following night (April 1) is Wicked Queer's Cambridge opening at the Brattle Theatre: "That's Not Us," a romantic comedy that follows three twenty-something couples as they travel to a beach house to enjoy the last days of summer that aren't as serene as they seem to be. Following the screening is a reception to follow at PARSNIP restaurant and lounge in Harvard Square.

Below are some highlights of our narrative program:

"Spa Night," the Sundance hit about a young Asian American man discovering his sexuality and cultural identity at a LA spa.

"Paris 05:59," the provocative French drama that won the audience award for gay films at the recent Berlin Film Festival that follows what happens after two men hook up at a Paris sex club.

The New England premiere of "S&M Sally," a comedy about sex, love, and the most important question of all -- who's on top?

The Italian drama "Arianna," which explores a teenage girl's quest to understand her sexual identity.

The North American premiere of "Desire Will Set You Free" -- a freewheeling, nocturnal journey through Berlin underground and queer scene.

From Mexico comes "I Promise You Anarchy," a dark story that looks at the volatile relationship between two young skateboarders and the criminal scheme they become involved in.

The coming-out-drama "First Girl I Loved," another Sundance hit, in which lesbian Latina high-schooler in Los Angeles falls in love with a young woman even deeper in the closet than she is.

From France is "Summertime," a period drama about a young lesbian courting feminist politics in Paris in the 1970s.

A hit at this year's SlamDance Film Festival, "Hunky D�ry" tells the story of a glam-rocker whose life is up-ended when he's forced to take custody of his 11-year old son.

Once again, we bring you the best in contemporary documentary films:

"Major," the doc that explores the life and campaigns of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a formerly incarcerated black transgender elder and activist who has been fighting for the rights of trans women of color for over 40 years.

In "Uncle Howard," filmmaker Aaron Brookner reclaims the legacy of his late uncle, promising filmmaker Howard Brookner, who died of AIDS in the early 1980s, discovering a memorable archive of New York cultural life in the process.

"Fursonas" looks at the cultural phenomenon known as "Furries," in which people dress in anthropomorphic full-body costumes and role play, many of whom turn out to be gay.

"Reel in the Closet" is Stu Maddox's latest doc in which LGBTs reconnect with their cultural past through archival footage.

"Danny Says" chronicles the life of rock music publicist Danny Fields and his crucial role in shaping the careers of such talents as The Doors, Cream, Lou Reed, Nico, Judy Collins and the Ramones.

The films will screen at such venues as Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, The Bright Family Screening Room at the Paramount Theatre, and the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square, Cambridge.

Check out Wicked Queer's redesigned website (www.wickedqueer.org) for details for information about the schedule and special events.

Wicked Queer: The Boston LGBT Film Festival is proudly sponsored by SHOWTIME and operates in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The Institute of Contemporary Art, The Brattle Theatre, and Arts Emerson.