Fort Lauderdale Second Annual Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

From October 7 through 10 Fort Lauderdale will host the second annual Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Fifteen films of interest to the gay community have been selected. The festival opens with a not-so-ordinary costume drama, "The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister," which recounts the extraordinary life of Anne Lister, 1791-1840. Lister is touted as the first modern lesbian, who was aware of her identity and did not let Victorian norms prevent her from living her life honestly.

Other films include "The Four-Faced Liar," about a set of friends living in Greenwich Village. It focuses on roommates and friends Trip and Bridget, who both spend a good amount of time talking about chasing women and their sexual exploits. When the decidedly less Bohemian Molly and David meet them at their favorite bar, named the Four-Faced Liar, Molly and Bridget start a clandestine romance, despite Molly's plans to marry David.

"Is it Just Me," follows what happens when an average - although very good looking - guy, Blaine, discovers he accidentally sent a picture of his sexy, go-go boy roommate, Cameron to his romantic hopeful. Blaine convinces Cameron to stand in for him until he can clear up the little accident. Will Cameron play nice? You'll have to watch the movie to find out!

"Off and Running," is a touching documentary about an African-American girl, Avery, who was adopted early in her childhood by a Jewish lesbian couple. As she grows older Avery wishes to learn more about her identity and decides to contact her birth mother for answers. This journey of adolescent self-discovery has been praised by Roise O'Donnell.

Other titles are "Baby Jane," an ode, not really a remake of the similarly-named Betty Davis and Joan Crawford mid-1960s gay cult classic. Interesting Florida connection - openly gay actor Vincent de Paul who was discovered on South Beach by the late Versace has a key role in the film. Interesting gay Hollywood angle - Billy Clift, the director, is the nephew of gay icon Montgomery Clift. As the Davis and Crawford characters are played by men in drag, not women, this will surely fulfill all your campy dreams.

Of course, what film festival would be complete without a kickoff party! So keep your calendar open for the Grand Opening of the 2010 Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, which will take place at The Manor on Wilton Drive on October 7.

For more information, films, and show times, please visit FLGLFF.com and TheManorComplex.com