The 34th Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival gets underway in Hartford later this week. After last year’s all-virtual festival due to COVID concerns, this year’s event will be a hybrid of virtual and in-person screenings at Trinity College’s Cinestudio.
This year’s festival will present more than 100 features, documentaries and short films. All of the films touch on some aspect of LGBTQ life. This year’s short films, for example, are presented together based on their subject matter, such as short films that focus on older gay characters, transgender characters or gay teens.
Shane Engstrom, co-director of the festival, said that while last year’s all-virtual festival attracted lots of new fans from outside Connecticut, it will be great to be back at Cinestudio.
“Traditionally, if you go to the local cineplex, you may go with a few friends, but you are not in the larger community celebrating a film together,” said Engstrom. “So, it is a unique opportunity to be among your community with the giant screen at Cinestudio. It’s a totally unique experience, and people really enjoy it, so we’re happy to be back in person.”
As in years past, the festival includes works by Connecticut filmmakers, like the short film 2 Dollars by Hartford native Robin Cloud, about a frustrated queer artist who must find ways to cope with a horrible day job.
The festival begins Friday night and runs through June 13. For a rundown of the films and to purchase tickets, go to outfilmct.org.
