Pantalla Abierta: Gay and Lesbian Latin Filmmaking

Post-Franco Spain has witnessed a cultural explosion, one that has included both cinema as well as gay and lesbian life.Ý From the highly popular films of Pedro AlmodÛvar, always campy if only sometimes specifically gay, to Festival favorites Amor de Hombre and Perdona bonita, pero Lucas me querÌa a mi, Spanish films have been a major part of the international gay film scene.Ý Lesbian and gay work from Latin America has been much more limited, and has usually appeared in the form of shorts and experimental work, though there are occasional features like this year's Plata quemada from Argentina and the hugely popular Fresa y chocolate from Cuba.Ý U.S. Latino and Latina films with gay and lesbian themes have also been mostly shorter works as well, with this Festival's Desi's Looking for a New GirlÝ a notable exception.Ý What are the differences and similarities in social, artistic and economic situations across the three continents that generate Latin films?Ý Who are the audiences, here and abroad, for these kinds of productions?Ý Is there a particularly Latin gay and lesbian cinematic voice that is different than the other gay films produced in the United States?Ý These questions and more will be addressed by an exciting and diverse panel of film professionals from around the world, including moderator Juan Mendez, long-time movie critic in both Spanish and English and former Film Editor for Latina magazine; Desi del Valle, director of Frameline's lesbian and gay film distribution program and star of Desi's Looking for a New Girl; AndrÈ Fischer, director of MIX Brasil, Festival of Sexual Diversity (a.k.a. the Brazilian gay and lesbian film festival); Mary Guzm·n, filmmaker and director of Desi's Looking for a New Girl; Juan Luis Iborra, director of this year's Spanish film Km. 0., and previous Festival award-winner Amor de hombre; Marcelo PiÒeyro, the renowned Argentine director of this year's Plata quemada.

5:00 PM Panel free and open to the public