Through indie films and conversations, a not-so-new film series is back and ready for a successful run now that proper licenses are secured.
The LGBT and Women’s Centers are partnering up to bring back the “Queer Women in Film” series Wednesday.
The series had an unsuccessful run last year after licenses were not obtained for the films the centers wanted to show. To solve this issue, they are working with Alden Library and making sure a staff member is present, said Delfin Bautista, director of the LGBT Center.
The series kicks off with the film Searching 4 Sandeep, a movie following Sydneysider Poppy Stockell, who is not out to her parents, and her search through an online relationship for Sandeep Virdi. There will be a discussion portion following each film.
Other films in the series include Orchids: My Intersex Adventure, Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines and Passionate Politics: The Life and Work of Charlotte Bunch.
Sarah Jenkins, program coordinator for the LGBT and Women’s Centers, said she is excited to share these films but also show that while queer individuals can connect with straight media, the reverse can be the same.
“I’d like to hope that some folks can get the same kind of enjoyment out of this ‘Queer Women in Film’ series, finding that they can still identify with these people that don’t necessarily look or act exactly like them,” Jenkins said.
Bautista said they have not seen any of the films yet, but are looking forward to watching and wants to see a dialogue started around the films and also sees this as a way to connect both centers as resources for all.
“(It’s) an effort to diversify our programming and in years past both the Women’s Center and the LGBT Center were seen as exclusive spaces,” Bautista said. “Queer women were not welcome in the Women’s Center as well as the LGBT Center and so it’s an effort to start changing that narrative, that both centers engage women of all identities and non-women and the LGBT Center engages people in all genders and sexes.”
