The 9th Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival ended July 22nd with a new attendance record – attracting 26,665 people from around the country.
The 2003 Film Festival offered 13 days of 115 individual screenings of 53 features, 14 documentaries, and 66 shorts from 24 countries, plus four special presentations and 20 parties, forums and other events. The festival gave five world premieres, one North American premiere and seven East Coast premieres of feature films, beginning with the world premiere of C. Jay Cox’s “LATTER DAYS” on Opening Night.
Eighteen screenings of 14 films sold out during the festival. The biggest ticket-seller was P.J. Hogan’s “UNCONDITIONAL LOVE,” a star-studded farce led by Kathy Bates and Rupert Everett that attracted 1,212 festival-goers at three screenings. In second place came “LATTER DAYS,” with 910 at two screenings, followed by Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey’s “PARTY MONSTER,” with 853 at two screenings, including Closing Night.
The Jury Competition winners were:
Best Feature Film (Gay Male): “BULGARIAN LOVERS,” by Eloy de la Iglesia (Spain) ^ Best Feature Film (Lesbian): “LILY FESTIVAL,” by Sachi Hamano (Japan) ^ Kodak Award for Best Documentary: “SISTERS IN CINEMA,” by Yvonne Welbon (US) ^ Best Short Film (Gay Male): “STAND BY,” by Tony Osso (US) ^ Best Short Film (Lesbian): D.E.B.S., by Angela Robinson (US)
The Audience Award winners were:
Best Feature Film (Gay Male): “LATTER DAYS,” by C. Jay Cox (US) ^ Best Feature Film (Lesbian): “APRIL’S SHOWER,” by Trish Doolan (US) ^ Best Documentary: Tie – BROTHER OUTSIDER: The Life of Bayard Rustin, by Bennett Singer and Nancy Kates (US); and “NO SECRET ANYMORE: The Times of Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon,” by Joan E Biren (JEB) (US) ^ Best Short Film (Gay Male): “TOUCHED,” by Mike Lemon (US) ^ Best Short Film (Lesbian): “THE TEN RULES,” by Lee Friedlander (US)
For more post fest info, visit the Philadelphia Film Festival website.
