Toronto International Queer West Film Festival

Executive Assistant: Michael Paré
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 204 Stn. C Toronto, Ontario M6J 3M9
Email: queerwest.toronto@gmail.com
Phone: 416-551-1709 (Mon to Sun from 8 am to 11 pm)

Toronto's 1st annual International Queer West Film Festival held on June 18, 2008

Coming August 23, 2008 - 1st annual International Queer West Toronto Youth Film Festival

to be followed by - 1st annual International Queer West Toronto Lesbian Film Festival

Exciting times ahead in 2009 for Toronto International Queer West Film Festival

With over 150 queer-themed film and video festivals happening around the world, Canada boasts a diverse crop of its own, including Toronto's Inside Out in May. And with movie events throughout the year from sea to sea in a country renowned for its queer-friendliness, LGBT festivals spotlight innovative work by new directors and rediscover the classics. Metropolitan Toronto’s large, thriving lesbian and gay community and the city’s festival-friendliness make it a natural fit for a new queer film festival in the city's Queer West Village.

A production of Gay West Community Network Inc.(Also know as Queer West) Now governed by a ten member Board of Directors. A not-for-profit centre, that produces performing arts festivals and outreach programming for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, transsexual, questioning and two-spirited (queer community). Connecting queer residents, business and community groups in High Park, Liberty-Parkdale, Davenport, Trinity Bellwoods neighbourhoods in Toronto, Ontario since 2001 Incorporated as a Charity on April 7, 2008.

Thursday June 19 - We had an amazing turn out for our first film festival, Wednesday June 18, over 55 people all ages and genders, showed up to sit in a tiny parking lot, behind a local store. They laughed, clapped, cheered, contemplated the fine selection of videos choosen by our multi- talented Program Manager, Forrest Lightbody. Jolanta Sobolak, managing owner of Good Catch General Store in Parkdale, kept us entertain during various film breaks with 7 or 8 fund-raising raffles, a swag bag of goodies from Fair Trade chocolate bars to Gypsy Playing cards. Good Catch is an unique shop with a little bit of everything - from handmade toys, to works by local artisans and crafters, to jewelry, candles, environmentally-friendly cleaning products and organic food stuffs.

Everyone loved the idea of outdoor film festival. Will we be back at Good Catch next year? Of course bigger and better. We have some photos to share with you and will be posting them soon in our Queer West Fest photo albums and slide show.

Wednesday June 18 - 1st annual Queer West Film & Video Fest @ Good Catch General Store 1556 Queen St. W. Doors at 9 pm show 9:30 PM to 11:15 PM An outdoor private theatre, No reserve seating, first come, first seated, 50 chairs only. Film Break: About 10:10 pm Cover: Donations Accepted and Appreciated. Infoline: 416-551-1709 www.goodcatch.ca Non licensed event. Rating: MA15+ (Not suitable for under 15s, unless they are accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

A truly independent film festival with both local and international filmmakers on the roster. Long time Inside-Out volunteer, Forest Lightbody is in charge of programming and promises, “there will be some films not previously shown publicly in Toronto.”

Guest Speakers June 18
Portrait - Kristyn Dunnion

Two guests speakers will be on hand for Q & A following the videos. Kristyn Dunnion a self described saucy tart, Dunnion is the author of novels Missing Matthew and Mosh Pit. Her short stories are published in numerous collections. She earned a BA in English and Theatre at McGill University, and an MA in English at the University of Guelph. She has written articles and book reviews and has interviewed other authors for radio and print media. She enjoys facilitating workshops for emerging writers of all ages, but especially loves meeting with teens and young adults to talk about reading, writing, and life in general.

BIG BIG SKY a Duuion, demo video for the new speculative fiction novel by Dunnion. Teenaged assassin warrior women complete intensive military training as high-grade biodegradable weapons of the future. Big Big Sky is part anarchist fable, part distopian fiction, and part lesbian love story. The Video Short as produced by Dunnion and Helen Prancic. BIG BIG SKY is published by Red Deer Press, 2008.Purchase your copy at any tonight or t This Ain't The Rosedale Library (Nassau Street, Kensington Market) and Another Story (315 Roncesvalles). .Visit www.kristyndunnion.com Speaking and Q&A at 10:10 pm

Film-maker Robert Thomson, who works at Woody's talking about his two films Shot during the brutal snowstorms of January and February 2008,"Waiting" is Robert Thomson's first attempt at filmmaking. Originally intended to be a black comedy with an all drag cast, the weather prevented "Waiting" from evolving as conceived and, in the end, the weather itself ended up being a character in the film, providing an ideal background for the character's seated frustration and inertia.Mark Rosenbauer's music adds the perfect texture to this moody piece.

Armed with a new camera and a lifetime of cinematic longing, Thomson followed up "Waiting" with "Waking Up," which he considers his next logical step in the process of spiritual awakening. Shot in May and early June of 2008, this short film is a collage of moods and images,and reflects a more hands-off approach to life and filmmaking. "Waking Up" is about awareness and stillness. Visit Robert Thomson's web site: roberthomson.com Speaking and Q&A at 11:15 pm

Our Hereos
The Gay West Community Network Inc, organizers would like to thank The AIDS Committee of Toronto for loan of projector, Good Catch General Store for location, set-up and technical help. The Consumer Group of Environics Research for supplying festival-goers with 50 bottles of the new Vitamin Water.(which quickly ran out) West Side Stories Video for screening room and both Inside Out Film Festival and WSSV for ideas on film selection and the many dedicated neighbourhood Volunteers that work so tirelessly to put the Festival together, Our Sponsors that make it possible, the Filmmakers for their art, and the Audience for supporting us!

Our Vision
To become one of the top ten queer screen events internationally by:

Attracting broad and diverse audiences.
Quality, innovative and dynamic program of events.
Inspiring filmmakers and filmmaking.
Stimulating debate and discussion of queer issues.
Increasing our professionalism, while maintaining our sense of fun and personal approach.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide a voice for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons by presenting films and videos that not only represent the diversity of the GLBT community. But provide innovative, diverse, accessible, quality screen events which promote/stimulate, educate, enlighten, support queer cultures and entertain us all.

Our Brand Values

Fun
Diversity
Integrity
Quality

Artistic and Corporate Objectives

Our artistic and corporate objectives are:

To continue to improve the quality of films shown at the Festival.
To provide a unique and innovative environment for screen culture.
To increase the diversity of film content.
To include foreign language films.
To continue to increase audience size to the full capacity of our venues.
To increase the diversity and age range of our audience.
To make the Festival more accessible.
To create a Festival that is exciting, intellectual and populist.

Gay West Community Network Inc. presents the 1st annual International Queer West Toronto Youth Film Festival

Saturday August 23 - 1st Annual Queer Youth Movie Night @ Good Catch General Store Michael and Forrest fresh from the Queer West Film Festival in June are planning another Exposure Night for Saturday evening August 23rd on "Queer Youth" with a possible tie with the Parkdale Youth Festival on the same day.

A truly independent film night with both local and international filmmakers on the roster. Long time Inside- Out volunteer, Forest Lightbody is in charge of programming and promises, “there will be some queer youth film short's, not previously shown publicly in Toronto.”

Volunteers
Volunteers remain crucial to providing the leadership and hard work of organizing, producing, and operating Queer West Fest. Queer West needs a large pool of dedicated and highly-skilled volunteers to help at our Outdoor Movie Nights

Film Collective
Festival founder: Michael Paré (Toronto queer rights activist and founder Gay West Community Network Inc.) arranges location, and has some say in pretty much every administrative and technical aspect. He relies on a small army of enthusiastic volunteers to get the ship ready for sailing. Programming and technical manager Forrest Lightbody (www.myspace.com/themockstar ), picks the movies by underground local auteurs and director's cuts. Organized the guest speakers, scheduling and is our projectionist and then has final say on videos selected. Office: gaywest_toronto@yahoo.ca or call 416-551-1709 Website: queerwestfilmfest

Location
Saturday August 23rd., Good Catch General Store, 1556 Queen St. W. Doors at 8:30 pm show 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM An outdoor private theatre, No reserve seating, first come, first seated, 50 chairs only. Film Break: About 10:10 pm Cover: Donations Accepted and Appreciated. Infoline: 416-551-1709 www.goodcatch.ca Non licensed event. Tons of great swag door prizes

Festival Office: gaywest_toronto@yahoo.ca or Call 416-551-1709 (ext 2) anytime