Hot and buttered

It’s that time of year again: time for the fabulousness of the sixth annual Inside Out Ottawa LGBT Film Festival.

This year, movie lovers can look forward to a few changes, says Andrew Murphy, the new director of programming: the 2012 edition of Inside Out will offer more screenings — from 13 last year to 15 this year — and there will be free programming dedicated to youth and families.

“We have a free family screening on the Sunday afternoon — we’re showing the classic Annie. That should be a lot of fun,” Murphy says. “As well, we’re offering a student matinee on the Friday afternoon . . . We’re working with the Youth Services Bureau as well as Jer’s Vision to put together a bit of a discussion to follow the film.”

The movie, Mosquita y Mari, is a coming-of-age story that premiered at Sundance — to great acclaim — and has been featured at dozens of film festivals throughout the past year. The screening is free to youth 15 to 25 who RSVP in advance to Diana Khong at diana@insideout.ca.

“This film did really well in Sundance, and it’s great that we’re able to bring it here,” says Loresa Novy, Inside Out’s Ottawa coordinator.

There are a slew of lauded films in the lineup, including the opening-night feature: Rosser Goodman’s romantic comedy Love or Whatever, which is its Canadian premiere.

“Should be quite a crowd pleaser,” Murphy says. “Rosser, the director, she’s confirmed to come and present the film and do a Q&A with us after.”

Other great selections include Thom Fitzgerald’s Cloudburst (starring Olympia Dukakis); David France’s documentary on HIV activism, How to Survive a Plague; and Campbell X’s Stud Life.

“It’s about a love affair between a [femme] and a stud,” Murphy says. “Audiences really responded to it here in Toronto, and it’s been doing well on the festival circuit. It’s great also to have films about people of colour. Often, in LGBT films, that can be lacking. There are so many films out there that are focused on the gay man. Or sort of cliché stories.”

Another notable selection in the lineup this year is a homegrown film by two Canadian directors, Dominique Cardona and Laurie Colbert, called Margarita.

Inside Out is always looking for volunteers. Anyone who is interested can email Loresa Novy at ottawa@insideout.ca. There will be an Inside Out volunteer orientation and signup at SAW Gallery on Tuesday, Nov 6 at 6:30pm.