aGLIFF 24 Preview: Majestic Steers, Queers and Cancerpants

The Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival (aGLIFF) is 24 years old next week and is bigger than ever. This year, festival movis are screening at three different venues -- Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, Violet Crown Cinema and the Paramount Theatre -- not to mention all the parties and special events.

Looking over the schedule, I'm again having to make tough decisions about what to see. The lineup includes a number of topical documentaries as well as enticing narratives, including a selection of international titles. Even in writing this preview, it was hard to choose titles, especially since Texas is definitely represented.

aGLIFF's Centerpiece Film Mangus! should fill the Paramount quite a bit just on the plot -- a boy who longs to star in his school's production of "Jesus Christ Spectacular." But the cast is guaranteed to draw a crowd too, as it includes none other than John Waters, Heather Matarazzo and the outrageous Jennifer Coolidge. And the best part?  It was filmed here in Texas (just north of Dallas).

But wait, there's more. Mangus! is followed by the third annual Majestic Party with emcee Tom Lenk (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel), who is also bringing his Nerdgasm show to the Highball during aGLIFF. Lenk was a chronic scene-stealer in the Buffyverse, so I imagine all these shows will be packed, especially considering it's Austin Pride weekend. Lenk is also the writer and star of the short Hello Caller (pictured above), a SXSW Midnight Shorts selection that returns to Austin for aGLIFF, screening before both Mangus! and Judas Kiss. 

The evocatively titled film Cancerpants was filmed here in Austin. Cancerpants (pictured at right) is a documentary about a young woman who battles cancer with the help of her partner and with a title like that, I fully expect to laugh as much as cry. Opening-night film The Lulu Sessions may not be an Austin or Texas film, but it's excellent counterpoint programming, about a cancer researcher who faces the irony of her own cancer.

Longhorns is an 80s sex romp that combines fratboys, beers and 'steers and queers' cliches, which sounds rather fun.  Set here in the Hill Country, it's filmed partly in Austin.

In addition, two shorts at aGLIFF this year have Austin connections. 33 Teeth is one of two shorts screening with Cancerpants. 33 Teeth was filmed here in Austin by Evan Roberts, a UT film grad student. Playing as part of the My Queer Movie Competition is Green Family Elbow, which was made in California by Austinite Zach Green.

I know I'm going to see the Austin films, but outside of those, my personal pick of the festival is This Is What Love In Action Looks Like, which will be presented along with a selection from the Queer Youth Media Project (QYMP). One of the most chilling anti-gay phenomenon has been the "straighten-out" programs, where teens have been brainwashed to act and think "straight." In 2005, a boy who was being sent to one such program wrote about it on MySpace, spurring local protests and gaining international attention. QYMP is a satellite program of aGLIFF in partnership with Out Youth. 

This Is What Love In Action Looks Like is considered "youth friendly" -- but it's not the only programming for younger audiences. aGLIFF is continuing its tradition of family friendly fare with The Muppet Movie on Sunday specifically for kids (and the kids-at-heart). And don't be surprised if the Alamo tradition of offering a cereal bar menu option is available, because what goes better with pigs and frogs in love than cereal (and there's always brunch with mimosas for the grownups).

There are so many promising titles being offered this year, I'm resisting the urge to list all of them. For those who like music there's the documentary Riot Acts: Flaunting Gender Deviance in Music Performance and the musical comedy Leading Ladies.  The international titles include Tierra Madre and Three Veils "for the gals." For the guys, there are War Stories, which brings new meaning for a young man who lost his father in the Gulf War, and Holding Hands, a documentary about a Sydney couple who deal with the aftermath of a hate crime. But you can read more at the aGLIFF website, or just take a chance at the festival.

The programming is again clearly identified by type (narrative or documentary, shorts program or feature) as well as by the overall target group (For the Guys, For the Gals, Gender Queer, Ally Friendly, Family Friend, etc.) to help festivalgoers decide which films they want to see. Despite the fact that aGLIFF does categorize the films, it's a very inclusive festival, one that welcomes everyone regardless of their orientation/identity, or their familiarity with LGBTQI issues. Between the documentaries and the narratives, you will likely leave aGLIFF just as enlightened as you are entertained. 

aGLIFF 24 runs September 6 through September 11, 2011. Fore information check out the aGLIFF website and social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.