Austin’s oldest film festival and premiere LGBTQ+ film fest of the Southwest, aGLIFF, announces the 36th annual festival PRISM 36, taking place in-person August 23–27, 2023, in Austin, TX. The yearly event is in-person throughout the city, with screenings, events, Q&As, and more. aGLIFF will additionally offer a virtual component from August 28 – September 4, 2023, after the in-person festival. The PRISM 36 virtual festival will not be a full lineup but will include select titles playing in person.
The Opening Night film is Glitter & Doom in the Southwest Premiere at the festival. Director: Tom Gustafson | Writer: Cory Krueckberg
Set to the tunes of queer icons the Indigo Girls (who make cameos as well), this whirlwind musical tale between a dour young emo singer-songwriter (Alan Cammish) and the impulsive circus dreamer Glitter (Alex Diaz) explodes from the streets of Mexico City like a big sparkly, rainbow firework. With both boys struggling to make it to stardom despite their meddling mothers and the distractions of a surreal Baz Luhrmann-like cityscape, there’s no need to ‘Get Out the Map’ to romance. Cast: Ming-Na Wen, Missi Pyle, Tig Notaro, Peppermint, Beth Malone, Kate Pierson. US | 2023 | 115 minutes | English |
This year’s Narrative Centerpiece “Our Son” starring Billy Porter and Luke Evans, has been called a modern-day gay version of Robert Benton’s 1979 Kramer vs. Kramer because it portrays the heartbreaking reality that with marriage equality for LGBTQ+ couples, there also comes the heartbreaking realities of divorce.
Closing Feature: “The Mattachine Family” will wrap up this year’s five-day festival with a touching story about parenthood, chosen family, and feeling lost in love. With performances by an all-star cast including Nico Tortorella, Juan Pablo Di Pace, and Emily Hampshire, the film explores the highs and lows of queer foster parenting.
PRISM 36: Regular price badges are available now. An aGLIFF membership is open now. Festival badges are on sale at agliff.org/badges. A limited number of single tickets for the opening night film are available for $25, including the opening night screening, live Q&A, the opening night reception with light bites, and a complimentary drink ticket. All other single tickets start at $15, plus applicable service fees, and will be on sale based on availability. More information on the films and the festival can be found at agliff.org/prism.
The organization’s mission is to create positive and visible film programs relevant to the lives of LGBTQIA+ identified people, to educate the community about LGBTQIA+ issues, to produce and promote the best in LGBTQIA+ community-building events, and to support and partner with other organizations to enlighten the public. The organization was named the 2022 Nonprofit of the Year by the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
Source: aGLIFF