The OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Miami is back on the scene, kicking off with an eclectic mix of more than 50 internationally acclaimed features, shorts, premieres, and documentaries. The annual festival, which celebrates queer culture, began April 18 and will run until April 28, according to NBC Miami. Festivities include a Latin Spotlight night, free Uber rides for attendees, filmmaker panels, parties, and special events scattered across various Miami venues.
Creating quite the stir, OUTshine kicked off with the opening night film "Turtles" (Les Tortues), a Belgian/Canadian relationship comedy-drama by David Lambert. Screens will light up at Silverspot Cinema Miami until April 24, then the cinematic action will switch to Regal South Beach. This year aims to not only entertain but to weave tighter community threads, with special attention on local filmmakers. These include Hansel Porras Garcia and Chris Molina, among others, who will share their insights in a panel at the festival as reported by NBC Miami.
As reported by the Sun-Sentinel, the OUTshine Film Festival is not just about the films – it's also about recognition. Actress and humanitarian Patricia Velásquez, known for her roles in "The Mummy" and her philanthropic work through the Wayuu Taya Foundation, will be honored with a Vanguard Award. The Festival will also highlight a range of audience favorites such as the Audience Award winner at Sundance "Girl Picture," and a host of North American premieres like "All Our Fears," "Swing Ride," and "What We Know."
To further engage the local LGBTQ+ community, the City of Miami is playing a generous host by offering free Uber rides to facilitate accessibility. This perk is to help get movie buffs to and from Silverspot Cinema. All these inclusive activities are backed by sponsors including Miami Dade County, the City of Miami Beach, and Gilead – a show of earnest support for the vibrant festival, which OUTshine’s organizers describe as "OUTrageous, OUTspoken, and OUTstanding," according to details found at NBC Miami.
The festival is set to close with a bang with "Mascarpone: The Rainbow Cake" (Maschile Plural), drawing the curtains on what promises to be an engaging ten days of cinematic celebration. Film buffs in Miami should ready their popcorn and prepare for a flurry of movie magic, with ticket prices starting at $8 and additional group discounts available. Full details on the film lineup and party schedule are up for grabs at outshinefilm.com, as provided by the Sun-Sentinel.
