The Cultural Forum’s 12th Annual University of Oregon Queer Film Festival kicks off Friday at 7 p.m. with the Argentinean film “Suddenly.”
This year’s festival is centered around themes of international queer perspectives and the role film has played in shaping queer history. Films from across the country will be shown alongside fare from countries such as Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Documentaries also make up a fair amount of the festival’s scheduled showings. The 1978 film “Word is Out” — considered the first film made by and about gays — will show alongside the 2002 release “Hope Along the Wind: The Story of Harry Hay,” about the founding of the first successful gay rights organization.
Other highlights include “A.K.A.,” a drama that is split into three simultaneously playing frames; “Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin,” about the openly gay civil rights activist; and “Dangerous Living: Coming Out in the Developing World,” about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender struggles in countries south of the equator.
“This year I was looking for films that transcend boundaries,” Queer Film Festival Coordinator Douglas Hopper said. “I wanted films that pushed the envelope, as far as form and content go.”
Hopper, who selects all the feature-length films for the festival, believes the University’s festival has a special place among other festivals of its type.
“It’s important that it takes place in an academic environment,” Hopper said. “It makes the kinds of films we can select a little more flexible.”
One of the highlights of the festival is its short film competitions. The first competition features films selected by a special jury comprised of students and community members. The second allows the audience to select the best from a group of shorts.
One of the short films that was selected by the jury is “Love Life,” by director Nanci Gaglio. Gaglio will be appearing at the University to present her film. Her first short film, the B-movie parody “Pussies from Outta Space,” will be showing at the audience choice competition.
“My films seem to do pretty well on college campuses,” Gaglio said. “I think it’s because I don’t fit into any particular genre. Mainstream gay and lesbian festivals have a hard time with films that don’t fit into a box.”
With sponsorship from a number of campus organizations — including the School of Journalism and Communication and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Alliance — as well as lower ticket prices than in previous years, the festival promises to be a popular event.
“I think it’s a good chance to see a broad view of queer media,” LGBTQA Co-Director Jason Wicklund said. “You know, something that isn’t ‘Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.’”
The Queer Film Festival will run from Friday through Sunday with the showings at 180 Prince Lucien Campbell Hall. Tickets for the entire festival are $5 for students and $7 for the general public.