A University tradition continues this weekend when the UO Cultural Forum presents the 11th Annual University of Oregon Queer Film Festival. The event, which addresses varied topics from gay fatherhood in America to drag performance, begins at 8 p.m. Friday and continues through Sunday.
Festival Coordinator Jamie June said filmgoers can expect something a little different from this year’s collection of short and feature-length entries in the event, entitled “Queer Cinema (Re)defined.”
“The centerpiece of this year’s festival is the notion of presenting a broad representation of what queer cinema is,” June said.
She said the festival often reflects the interests of the coordinators. Last year’s coordinator was an international studies major. Consequently, the 2002 festival highlighted films from around the world. June’s plan was to acquire works from the United States that local filmgoers wouldn’t normally get an opportunity to see. In fact, many of the feature films shown this year were produced in the Northwest — a fact June said was not intentional.
In addition to films, the weekend will include panel discussions, along with the Queer Photo Show, which is currently on display in the EMU Aperture Gallery. A reception for the photography exhibit will take place Friday in 180 PLC, following the second screening of “The Business of Fancydancing.”
June said that the festival is likely to appeal to a wide variety of tastes.

“We’re expecting a a diverse crowd,” she said. “I think the general public and younger crowds will find more to enjoy this year.”
For instance, the film “Group,” slated for 6 p.m. on Saturday, is a feature-length mockumentary following 21 weeks of group therapy sessions among eight women. The cast of characters includes a punk rock amputee, a born-again Christian, a sex rocker, a binger, a hypochondriac, a bigot, a “tramp,” an enigmatic woman and their therapist. The film, introduced by directors and producers Marilyn Freeman and Anne de Marcken, features music by cutting-edge rockers such as Sleater-Kinney.
“The Business of Fancydancing,” the directorial debut of poet, playwright and author Sherman Alexie, tells the story of a reunion between two Spokane Reservation friends 16 years after their high school graduation.
June said this movie is likely to defy expectations often associated with the festival. Though the film features a number of gay characters, it is one of the few entries not created by an LGBT filmmaker.
“Most of the films in the festival are produced to advance queer cinema,” June said. “With this film, the emphasis is primarily on the characters as opposed to the identity of those who produced it.”
In addition to the feature-length films, the event will also include a short films program showcasing documentaries, narrative films and animated shorts.
Short Film Jury member Yann Doignon said choosing this year’s entries was time-consuming, yet rewarding. The seven-member jury whittled nearly 60 entries down to the 13 shorts that are featured this year.
The jury already awarded its own prizes to a number of films in the shorts program, but audience members will have an opportunity to vote for their own favorites on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. A selection featured in this portion of the festival includes one of Doignon’s proclaimed personal favorites — “Hot and Bothered: feminist pornography.”
The film, described by Doignon as “amazingly controversial,” addresses the complex issue of female sexuality surrounding pornographic films aimed specifically at women.
Students involved in the event say this year’s festival will provide an important community service. University Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Alliance Co-Director Austin Shaw-Phillips credits the annual festival with opening many eyes to the queer experience.
“Prior festivals have done a lot of justice to address the many facets of queer life,” Shaw-Phillips said. “Anyone interested in being educated about the issues we face should definitely check it out.”
However, Shaw-Phillips said enjoyment of the event doesn’t have to focus entirely on education.
“Quite simply, it’s just an inexpensive way to see some stellar entertainment,” Shaw-Phillips said.