The 16th Out Takes Film Festival Opens in Auckland

The 16th Out Takes Film Festival Opens in Auckland Tonight

The drinks have been chilled, prizes organized and selection of films ready to begin as the highly anticipated Out Takes: A Reel Queer Film Festival opens in Auckland’s Rialto Cinema at 7pm tonight. The evening is MC’d by the legendary Steven Oates, with two headlining films followed by an official After Party at The Lumsden bar in Newmarket.

As well as a great Opening Night film selection there is also the chance for ticket holders to win great prizes like luxury accommodation packages, DVice packs, Shingle Peak wine and more.

But it’s the Opening Night films that herald the most anticipation and set the tone for the rest of the festival. The first of these is ‘An Englishman in New York’ an award-winning film following the life of Quentin Crisp, a character in the London gay scene who moves to New York and finds celebrity in an off-Broadway show, before falling out with the gay community after a vocal misstep. Preceded by short film ‘Gayby’ where a gay man and a straight woman decide to make a baby the 'old-fashioned way'. Cue one incredibly awkward sex scene.

The other feature film in Auckland’s Opening Night is ‘And Then Came Lola’ a light-hearted romp through the streets of San Francisco. We follow Lola, a talented but distracted photographer as she tries to get an important document to her girlfriend as well as save her from the arms of another woman. Then we rewind and watch it unfold all over again with different endings as Lola has three chances to get it right. Preceded by short film ‘The Sheep and The Ranch Hand where a binge eating, ranch hand-dreaming heroine takes a provocatively edgy romp through fantastical greener pastures.

Simon Fulton, Chief Programmer for the Out Takes Film Festival is delighted with the Opening Night film selection and says, “We chose the two opening films for their wide appeal and unique story telling; great quality films to toast the start of the festival and get people excited about the rest of the schedule.”

The festival also features the New Zealand premiere of a selection of locally made films. Fiona Jackson will be attending the screening of her documentary ‘An Evening with Richard O’Brien’ and local filmmaker Christopher Banks will be speaking before his award-winning short film ‘Communication’. Kylie Plunkett’s short film ‘Evelyn Everyone’ is also premiering at Out Takes.

“This year’s line up of films is fantastically varied and we’re pleased to be showcasing local talent as well” says Simon Fulton, “And with all the side events and parties happening throughout out the week it really is a great celebration of queer films and the people that produce them.”

Tickets to the Opening Night are almost sold out with the remainder available from the Rialto Cinema throughout the day.

For more information on the Out Takes: A Reel Queer Film Festival, programme information or side events visit www.outtakes.org.nz.

Auckland Out Takes Film Festival Event Information: May 27th – June 3rd at Rialto Cinema; 167-169 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland.

Ticket prices; Opening Night $20.00, Adult $16.00, Students $14.00, Senior Citizen $10.00, Six Trip $84.00. Tickets can be brought online at www.rialto.co.nz
or from the venue.

Official supporting bars throughout the Out Takes Films Film Festival are; The Lumsden - Corner of Broadway and Khyber Pass Rd, Newmarket offering Opening Night drinks specials. Candy Bar - Above Navel & Family on K’ Rd offering a free cocktail with Out Takes ticket stubs.

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