Sexy, Sassy Films Lead to FabulousÝ Parties at Third Annual Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

From a sultry samba soirÈe to a leisurely ìladies lunchî to pumping dance parties at some of South Beachís hottest clubs, guests at the Third Annual Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival will have ample opportunities to get to know each other, as well as the guest filmmakers, distributors and actors, a little bit better, at a juicy array of special events throughout the 10-day Festival.

ìThe whole point of a film festival is to create a cultural dialogue in the community,î said Festival Director Robert Rosenberg. ìBut you canít get people talking about the films and the issues they raise if theyíre sitting in movies the whole time. Thatís why weíre providing such a wide array of social events, from refined cocktail to high energy club events.î

Parties include:

Showtime Opening Night Gala Thursday, April 26, at 6pm & 9:30pm Pre-screening reception at SUVA, 801 Lincoln Road, with champagne courtesy Southern Wine & Spirits of South Florida and food sampling by SUVA at 6pm, then post-screening VIP dinner party with opening night film Big Eden director Thomas Bechuza and other special guests at Miami Beach home of renowned music producer and composer Desmond Child at 9:30pm. Gala co-chair Sharon Gless, star of televisionís Cagney and Lacey and Showtimeís Queer as Folk and Desmond Child, popular music composer and producer. Food by chef David Calania and wine and champagne compliments Southern Wine & Spirits of South Florida.ÝÝÝÝ Tickets are: Gala ticket: $135 for reception, film screening and VIP dinner; a $50 ticket includes reception and film screening, and a $25 ticket includes film screening only.

Festival Centerpiece, Tuesday, May 1, at 11pm ïÝ Followed by Festival Centerpiece film Kr·mpak (Nico and Dani), is the Festival Centerpiece party at Hotel Nash, 1220 Collins Avenue, 11pm. Hors díoeuvres compliments of Markís South Beach, drinks courtesy of Bacardi and classical sounds by a New World Symphony trio.ÝÝÝÝ Tickets are: $25 for film screening and post-screening party; $15 for film screening only.

Closing Night, Sunday, May 5, at 11pm & 12:30am ïÝ Closing Night film Gaudi Afternoon screening at 9pm. Festival Awards Party at Indian Creek Hotel, 2727 Indian Creek Drive, Miami Beach, 11pm. At the closing night celebration, the Third Annual Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Awards will be announced. Culinary treats compliments by Luna Rossa CafÈ and cocktails by Bacardi. At 12:30am, is the Thatís a Wrap after-party celebration at Salvation, 1771 West Avenue, with music by DJ Abel and Bacardi cocktail bar in private Festival VIP lounge.ÝÝÝÝ Tickets are: $45 for film screening and both Festival Awards and Salvation parties, with VIP entry;Ý $35 for the film screening and Salvation after-party with VIP entry; and $25 ticket for film screening only.

Saturday, April 28, 11:30pm ï Femme Noire, a sexy girl party featuring hot go-go dancers and the sounds of DJ Lazaro Leon.ÝÝÝÝ Tickets are $20, which includes the 9pm screening of The Girl.ÝÝÝÝ N Lounge & Oxygen Bar, 743 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach

Sunday, April 29, at 1pm ï The Ladies Who Lunch at Segafredo, 1040 Lincoln Road, adjacent to the Colony Theatre. A full day complete with two fun and provocative lesbian film programs hosted by filmmaker Barbara Hammer and film critic B. Ruby Rich. Lunch served between the 11am and 3pm screenings; wine courtesy of Southern Wine & Spirits of South Florida.ÝÝÝÝ Tickets are $30 and include 11am screening of History Lessons, 1pm lunch at Segafredo and 3pm ìLethal Lesbiansî program with B. Ruby Rich.

Monday, April 30, 11pm ï Festival Club at Twist, 1057 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach. No admission charge for Festival Club; complimentary cocktails by Bacardi at VIP area with Film Festival ticket stub.

Wednesday, May 2, 9pm ï Festival Club at Laundry Bar, 721 North Lincoln Lane, Miiami Beach. Jazz and blues vocals by South Beach diva, Maryel Epps.ÝÝÝÝ No admission charge for Festival Club; 2-4-1 drinks all night, with Film Festival ticket stub.

Thursday, May 3, 9pm ï Reel Women Reception at Condal & PeÒamil House, 741 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach with director Mary Guzm·n, producer Fontana Butterfield and actress Desi del Valle from Desiís Looking for a New Girl, along with Kaliís Vibe director Shari Carpenter, Stranger Inside director Cheryl Dunye and other surprise guests. Mojitos, cigars and Latin hors díoeuvres, compliments of Condal & PeÒamil and Bacardi USA.ÝÝÝÝ Tickets are $20 and include the 7pm screening of Desiís Looking for a New Girl.

Friday, May 4, 10pm ï Samba Nights, Albion Hotel, 1650 James Avenue, Miami Beach, poolside. Caipirinhas and Batidas served with a sampling of delicious Brazilian food.ÝÝÝÝ Tickets are $20 and include the 7pm screening of Stranger Inside, the 9pm screening of The Confusion of Genders or the 5pm screening of Brasil Mix on Saturday, May 5.ÝÝÝÝ Sponsored by Lambda Brazil Tour Operator and TransBrasil Air Lines

Tickets are $10 for regular screenings and $25 opening and closing night. All parties and special events have additional costs; panels are free.

Purchasing Tickets Through the Festival Office, tickets may be purchased in advance by mail with check, money order or credit card, or by fax, e-mail or phone order with credit card only. For a ticket order form, contact the Festival Office, by phone: 305 534.9924, by e-mail: festivalinfo@the-beach.net or be visiting the Festival's website: www.mglff.com. (Advance ticket orders purchased through the Festival office by mail will not be accepted AFTER APRIL 20.)

Tickets may also be purchased in advance at the Colony Theatre box office, 1040 Lincoln Road on Miami Beach during the hours of noon and 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday, cash only, beginning April 1. Tickets will also be on sale for all screenings and events during the Festival from April 26 through May 5 starting one hour prior to the first screening of the day.

Through TicketMaster, tickets will be available beginning April 1 through TicketMaster outlet locations, or TicketMaster phone charge by calling 305-358-5885 or 954-523-3309.

For more information, visit the Festival's website: www.miamigaylesbianfilm or contact the Festival at 305.534.9924 or by e-mail at festivalinfo@the-beach.net.