If you're a film fan, and you're in Britain in March and April, don't miss the BFI London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival the third largest film festival in Britain. This year, it's happening from Thursday 27 March to Thursday 10 April.
Before the festival started, the BFI National Film Theatre screened the world's first serious survey of lesbian and gay cinema in 1977, with a series of 35 features. But it wasn't until 9 years later in 1986, when Mark Finch helped to bring a season to the National Film Theatre called 'Gay's Own Films' and the festival was born.
The London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (LLGFF) presents a strong and eclectic programme of feature films, shorts, aritsts' film and video and experimental work, as well as a whole host of discussions and special events.
The festival attracts filmmakers and fans from all over the world, and in 2007, the LLGFF saw 4 gala screenings – 2 from the USA, 1 from the UK and Nigeria, and 1 from the Philippines. The festival closed with one of these gala screenings – The Picture of Dorian Grey, an exciting modern version of Oscar Wilde's novel.
The 2007 festival also included screenings of old French films, new British films, talks and debates from festival organisers and special guests, and a free 4-day workshop for young gay filmmakers.
But if you're not in Britain (or London) when the festival's happening, don't worry. The LLGFF nationwide tour runs from May to September, bringing highlights from the festival programme to around 40 towns and cities across Britain. For more information and tour dates, visit BFI London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (www.llgff.org.uk).