Some cancel, some postpone, others wait and see. LGBTQ film festivals in New England are responding to social distancing requirements brought on by COVID-19 like all major gatherings across the country, and pretty much around the world.
The 22nd annual Provincetown International Film Festival, which had been slated for June 17–21, was forced to cancel, though its organizers say they are “working on reimagining some of the exciting programs we had planned. We hope to present programming later this year.” Go to provincetownfilm.org.
Boston’s 36th annual Wicked Queer festival, scheduled to open today, April 2, and run through the 12th, has been indefinitely postponed. Look for updates at wickedqueer.org.
The 21st annual Providence LGBTQ Film Festival is still scheduled for August 4–9, with screenings to be “spread across the city,” based at RISD’s Metcalf Auditorium and its Filmmaker Lounge at the Hotel Providence. You can check their website for updates.
Meanwhile, for the first time in 15 years, the Vermont Bear Film Festival, which was slated for August 20–23, has been canceled. However no cancellation yet for the 15th annual Cineslam: Vermont’s LGBTQ Short Film Festival on June 20, but better check the website as we get closer to it.
And in Connecticut, Out Film CT announced today it’s postponing its 33rd annual event from May/June to October 2–10. “While we hope that by our June dates we will be beyond the recommended self-isolation period, we know that people may not be comfortable with large gatherings by that time,” said Festival Director Shane Engstom in a press release.
“Some festivals have chosen to ‘go digital’, but we feel very strongly about the value of sharing the moviegoing experience as a community. We look forward to bringing the community together again in the fall. Moving the screenings to October also allows us to align our festival with LGBTQ History Month for the first time ever,” Engstrom said.
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