Preview: N.C. Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

For the 16th year, the N.C. Gay & Lesbian Film Festival returns to Durham’s historic Carolina Theatre, Aug. 11-14. The event, one of the premier LGBT film festivals across the nation and in the South, brings together nearly three dozen short and feature-length films with LGBT themes.

The festival will also present their annual Plaza Party on Aug. 13. Sponsored by the LGBT Center of Raleigh, the event begins at 8 p.m. at the plaza in front of the Carolina Theatre. Admission is $15. A preview of some of this year’s films are below.

August

Making its premiere this year at the Seattle International Film Festival, “August” was also an official selection at this year’s Frameline at Outfest. “August” is an expansion of the award-winning short “Postmortem” and tells the story of two former lovers who, after a painful break up years ago, reunite in Los Angeles, reigniting their former passions at the same time. Written and directed by Eldar Rapaport, it stars Murray Bartlett (pictured), Daniel Dugan, Adrian Gonzalex, Hillary Banks, Bernhard Forcher, Brad Standley and Mike Vaughn.

Bite Marks

“Straight horror gets bent! 82 Minutes of inappropriate behavior,” the makers of “Bite Marks” exclaim. The feature-length film is a comedy and plays on the recently-popular vampire movie trend. Written and directed by Mark Bessenger, the film stars Windham Beacham, Benjamin Lutz, David Alanson, Stephen Geoffreys, Krystal Main, John Werskey, Jon Gale, Phillip Henry Christopher, Racheal Rivera and Miranda Downey.

Circumstance

This Iranian, lesbian drama, follows Atafeh, a young girl who dreams of fame. She and her best friend, Shireen, explore the Tehran underground scene. Her brother, Mehran, has just returned from drug rehab and vengefully disapproves of his sister’s and Shireen’s nascent relationship. Starring Nikohl Boosheri, Sarah Kazemy, and Reza Sixo Safai. Written and directed by Maryam Keshavarz.

Hollywood to Dollywood

Featuring 15 classic Dolly Parton songs, this documentary follows the story of twin brothers Gary and Larry Lane as they embark on a cross-country journey to get a film script into the hands of the legendary Dolly Parton. Featuring appearances by Leslie Jordan, Chad Allen, Beth Grant, Dustin Lance Black, Ann Walker, and maybe even Dolly herself!

Private Romeo

An official selection at Outfest 2011, “Private Romeo” is a modern-day, gay adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic “Romeo and Juliet.” Based at an isolated military academy, the film incorporates original “Romeo and Juliet” text and YouTube videos. Written and directed by Alan Brown. Starring Hale Appelman, Charlie Barnett, Adam Barrie, Chris Bresky, Matt Doyle, Sean Hudock, Bobby Moreno and Seth Numrich. (Below, Film still.)