Top 3: UK Film Festivals This Autumn

<p>You don’t have to live in London to see the best of the new LGBT films these days as literally every week there is a FILM FESTIVAL somewhere up and down the country. Usually run by volunteers on shoe-strung budgets, they not only present some very impressive queer cinema, they also provide great opportunities for our community to come together. Here are just three that are happening this month.</p> <p>By <a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/rogerwalkerdack">Roger Walker-Dack</a> | 5th October 2014</p><p></p><p>THE IRIS PRIZE FESTIVAL. 8th – 12th October</p><p>Cardiff’s International gay and lesbian short film prize supported by The Michael Bishop Foundation is the only short film prize in the world, which allows the winner to make a new film. The Prize is presented annually during the Iris Prize Festival, which takes place in Cardiff, Wales from 8 - 12 October 2014. The full programme includes new feature films, panel sessions, parties and screenings of all 30 short films competing for the Iris Prize.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.irisprize.org/">www.irisprize.org</a></p><p></p><p>TheGayUK’s Top Three Tips for films in the programme (well 4 as naturally it includes THE WAY HE LOOKS) are:-</p><p></p><p>EASTERN BOYS Filmmaker Robin Campilio's disturbing new thriller sharply contrasts two different sides of society in contemporary France with a very chilling effect, will definitely rank as one of the best gay themed movies of this year.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>BOYS This very tender and touching Dutch coming of age story about a confused young boy who wants to fit in with the norm of what he thinks is expected of him has some very neat twists and turns and is not as predictable as it seems at the outset.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>SNAILS IN THE RAIN This rather intriguing Israeli drama about repressed homosexual feelings and desire acutely brings back an era when lust was often hidden and unrequited. Starring a stunning ex international male model and written by one of Israel’s Ambassadors: it’s very homoerotic.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>GLASGAY! FESTIVAL. 20th October – 15th November </p><p>Scotland’s Annual Celebration, now in it’s 21st year. And besides film, covers the whole spectrum of arts and theater as well.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.glasgay.co.uk/">www.glasgay.co.uk</a></p><p></p><p>TheGayUK’s Top Three Tips:-</p><p></p><p>LOVE IS STRANGE This is your chance to preview IRA SACH’S wonderful new romance that US Critics have unanimously claimed is ‘the love story of the year’. With remarkable performances from John Lithgow and Alfred Molina as a devoted mature gay couple, the film serves as a graceful tribute to the beauty of commitment in the face of adversity.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>THE DOG The fascinating true story of JOHN WOJTOWICZ a loud potty-mouthed self-absorbed oddball who robbed a bank to pay for his boyfriend’s sex change and that became the plot of the award winning film DOG DAY AFTERNOON.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>AGE OF CONSENT Charles Lum & Todd Verow’s new documentary: the story of the HOIST, London's first and only Gay Fetish Bar.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>SHROPSHIRE RAINBOW FILM FESTIVAL. 15th – 18th October 2014</p><p>This is their 9th Festival and is held over 3 days and proves that some of the best things in (gay) life sometimes come in small sizes. Locally run it has an is inspired programme that mixes hot new films with some favorite classics.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.rainbowfilmfestival.org.uk/film-festival/">www.rainbowfilmfestival.org.uk/film-festival/</a></p><p></p><p>Here are TheGayUK’s Top Three Tips:-</p><p></p><p>BETTE BOURNE: IT GOES WITH THE SHOES Confession time: we haven’t actually previewed this BUT we are so in awe of this fabulous gay rights icon who campaigned in her high heels and lipstick that we wouldn’t miss it for the world, especially as she will be there for the Q & A afterwards.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>PATRIK 1:5 We never tire of seeing this wonderfully enchanting Swedish comedy about the hunky gay couple who realise that wanting to add the sound of little feet to their family may not work out quite how they imagined.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>FREE FALL One of the very sexiest coming-out stories from Germany which features a couple of hot trainee policemen is already out on DVD but we think this is another 5 Star movie that would look even better seen on the big screen.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p>If you do want to travel further afield and catch some films AND a good tan then the </p><p>FORT LAUDERDALE GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL runs 10th – 19th October</p><p><a href="http://flglff.com/">www.flglff.com/</a></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p>