(OUTview AMERICA) MK INTER-views Mark Strano, Star and Writer of TIGER ORANGE, Now on DVD!

Wolfe

by MK Scott

Wolfe Video's gay drama TIGER ORANGE is available TODAY! After premiering at Outfest in 2014 (winning the Grand Jury award for best actor) and completing a successful and award-winning festival tour, this heartfelt small town drama is being released by Wolfe Video in celebration of 2015 summer gay pride events and festivals. I saw this at the 2014 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival last fall and was one of the good ones. The script was unique and the performances were incredible about 2 Gay Brothers that couldn't be more different than Night and Day. Frankie Valenti aka former adult star Johnny Hazzard plays the Out and Proud and Aggressive brother, while Mark Strano plays the submissive Gay, but traditional brother playing it straight in a small town that he feels content and a responsibility to carry on the Family legacy. I chatted with Strano who shares more insight on the story and its characters. 

(OUTscene TV) MK's EXCLUSIVE sitdown with Alec Mapa at SLGFF14 about 'Baby Daddy'

(c) WANG

by MK Scott

My association with Alec Mapa goes back 7 years and it had been over a year since I last saw him in-person. When I heard Alec was going to be a guest and show his documentary/Concert film Baby Daddy at SLGFF, I jumped at the chance to bring my camera man, Zheng to Seattle's NW Film Forum as shared some laughs and the importance of Fatherhood.

The film,  Alec Mapa: Baby Daddy, based on Mapa's titular one-man show, which covers much of Mapa's personal life, including his decision (along with husband Jamie Hebert) to adopt a child. You’ll laugh and even cry as “America’s Gaysian Sweetheart” mixes life stories with his signature brand of sass.

First, take a look at the Trailer!

(SLGFF 2014) WRAP UP: The Best, Good, Fair and Worst Films, according to MK!

by MK Scott

Now that the 2014 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival is over I could now reveal my Picks for the Best, Good, Fair, and Bad films coming to a Film Fest, Theater or DVD in the coming year.

The Circle is a Oscar Pre--Nominee

BEST
Narrative: 
The CIRCLE (Switzerland)-Part Narrative and Part Documentary you get full story of 2 lovers that met in a secret society in 1950's Switzerland and are treated like Criminals during a Murder Investigation. BEAUTIFUL!

Pride (Special Event)-Not Part of the Fest, this was a Preview a week before the Opening and one of the Best films regarding 1980's Britain, since Kinky Boots and Billy Elliott. Watch this will be adapted into a Broadway Musical at some point. This film will make you jump for JOY!

DOC: 
Limited Partnership (USA)- Back in 1975, Colorado started issuing Marriage Licenses to same sex couples and  Tony Sullivan (native from Australia) marries (Filipino-American) Richard Adams, but as the First Bi-National Couple, they are called the F-Word by INS and are forced to leave the country together or apart. They choose to fight and were only parted by death, Bring the tissues, It is EMOTIONAL!

Regarding Susan Sontag (USA) -The Lesbian version of last year's hit, BIG JOY: The James Boughton Story.

Back on Board (USA)- Olympic Legend, Greg Louganis is about ready to lose his house and live in a trailer, when he is called upon to be a mentor  for the Olympics to meeting and marrying his true Love and as we see his story unfold during the good and rough times, Louganis shows he is a survivor and a true Hero. Yes, There was a standing ovation. 

SHORTS:
If we Took a Holiday (USA)- Brilliant!
The Disgustings (USA)-Bitchy FUN!
Squared (USA)-Burning down Gaysian Stereotypes!
Cruising Electric (USA)-Nostalgic Fun!
Dinner at 40 (USA)-All Star Fun!
Sex Date (USA)-Unexpected LOVE!
Good Morning (USA)- Too Young to Bang!
Barrio Boy (USA)-A Barber shop Fantasy!

(SLGFF 2014) Audience and Jury WINNERS List!

Jury Awards for Excellence in Filmmaking
Our Awards for Excellence in Filmmaking are chosen by an esteemed panel of jurors and include a cash prize.

Short Film Jury Awards

Best Short Film: DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Directed by Melissa Finell / USAJury statement: "DISASTER PREPAREDNESS is a comedic human relations story with three dimensional characters. It is a metaphorical storm with great writing, acting and sound."

Most Innovative Short: UNICORN

Directed by Rodrigo Bellot / Bolivia

Jury statement: "UNICORN has unique cinematography, sound and lighting. It is a different kind of storyline. An exposé documentary told through an exquisite narrative of a difficult real life event."

Documentary Film Jury Awards

Best Documentary Feature: OUT IN THE NIGHT

Directed by Blair Dorosh-Walther, Produced by Giovanna Chesler, USA

Jury statement: "OUT IN THE NIGHT emphasizes the dire need for justice and elicits an urgent call for equality in our systemically biased judicial system. And even more, it implores us all to reflect on how we challenge the criminalization of black bodies, especially queer black bodies, in America."

OUT IN THE NIGHT

(SLGFF 2014) What's at the Fest this FINAL Weekend?

The 2014 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Fest Concludes @ AMC Pacific Place, Here are our suggestions!

Fri, 10/17:

7:00p: Match (with Special Guest, Matthew Lillard)

9:45p: Eat with Me 



SAT, 10/18:

12:15p: The Muppet Movie 

1:00p: In with the OUT


3:00p: SHORTS: Real Queer Youth

4:30p: The Circle

7:00p: Xenia

9:45p: The Dark Place

SUN, 10/19:

12:30p: Honest Liar

2:45p: SHORTS: Family Ties

6:30p: CLOSING: Life Partners

(SLGFF 2014) INTER-view: MK chats with Director, Patrk-Ian Polk about 'Blackbird', Isaiah Washington, and any more Noah's Arc(?)!

Polk poses w/ Julian Walker, Star of 'Blackbird"  

by MK Scott

This Past Sunday was the Seattle Screening of Patrik-Ian Polk's latest, Blackbird, a story about a teen that wrestles with coming out and his love for God. His Parents are played by Oscar Winner, Mo'nique and Isaiah Washington (Yes, Grey's Anatomy) and set in Polk's Hometown of Hattiesburg,  Mississippi. I was able to chat with Patrik on various topics related to the Film as well what's ahead with his LOGO's Noah's Arc.

(SLGFF 2014) What's at the Fest this week?

The 2014 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Fest Continues, Here are our suggestions!

MON, 10/13:


7:00p: Rosie @ EGY

9:30p: Power Play SHORTS @ EGY

TUES, 10/14:

7:00p: I Feel Like Disco @ EGY
          Trans Shorts @ NWFF 

9:15p: Never @ EGY
          The Way He Looks @ NWFF


WED, 10/15:

7:00p: Appropriate Behavior @ EGY
          Tough Love Shorts @ NWFF       

9:15p: Something Must Break @ EGY
          Queens and Cowboys @ NWFF 

Yes, Alec is coming and so are we!

 THURS, 10/16:

5:00p: Alec Mapa: Baby Daddy @ NWFF

7:00p: 52 Tuesdays @ EGY
           Chance Encounters Shorts @ NWFF

9:30p: A Reunion @ EGY

(SLGFF 2014) What's at the Fest this weekend?

The 2014 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Fest has begun, Here are our suggestions!

SAT, 10/11:

12:30p: Limited Partnership @ EGY

2:30p: Silent Youth @ NWFF

7:00p: Tiger Orange @ EGY

9:15p: Club King @ EGY

11:30p; Lyle @ EGY

SUN, 10/12:

2:30p: Boy Shorts @ EGY
          Regarding Susan Sontag @ NWFF

7:00p: Blackbird @ EGY

9:30p: 10 Year Plan  @ EGY

(SLGFF 2014) EXCLUSIVE INTER-view: MK's 8 Questions plus 1 BURNING for Greg Louganis, the subject of Back on Board!

lgbtqnation.com

by MK Scott

The Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival opened this past Thursday, with Greg Louganis' Documentary, Back on Board: Greg Louganis. In attendence was Greg Louganis and I had Brief moment with the Olympic Diving Gold Medalist and Gay/AIDS Activist. 

MK: In the Film, it focuses on your rise to Fame, but also some of your darkest moments, what is like to Re-live That?

GREG: Very cathartic.


MK: Do you still think about (your abusive late BF) Jim?

GREG: Not really.


MK: In the film, you show you are a True survivor of Bullying, do have any advice to young people going through that?

GREG: A Letter to My 16-Year-Old Self

MK: It came full circle at the London Games, when became a mentor, Do you feel that you are finally going in the right path, and Will you be part of Rio Games in 2016?

GREG: I hope so.


MK: With Tom Daly and Matthew Mitchum coming OUT, what do you think of the progress from the last 25 to 30 years?

GREG: Yes.