Today marks the start of the International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival – so ring up your posse and head downtown for Friday’s Centerpiece screening.  This year’s womyn’s flick, Affinity, is adapted from a fave grrrl bodice-ripper author.  As the catalog blurbs, “Set in London’s glorious Victorian Era, this haunting and absolutely splendid adaptation of Sarah Waters’ novel follows an upper-middle-class woman who goes to great lengths to be with a female prisoner with whom she falls in love.”   Alas, once more, the premiere womyn’s film nite looks foreboding for hopes of  a happy ending for lesbian romance.  Look for yourself at:

http://www.phillyfests.com/piglff/2008/film-details.cfm?c=202&id=7895

Yes, the cinematography is stunningly lush, with cool-blue grey tones defining the “haunting mood”.  And the characters and camerawork come close to Merchant Ivory production values.  But isn’t this selection a little retro?  A little celluloid closet?   The review for Affinity is full of maudlin words like “tale of forbidden love”, “unlocking her true feelings” and “haunting conclusion”.   Despite the fine acting and intriguing plot, I left Affinity with a grumble in the tummy.

Let’s all shout in UNISON — pick a women’s Centerpiece screening that has happy, healthy lesbians!!!  This is the day of Curves, LOGO and a decade past Ellen.  Two years ago the Centerpiece womyn’s film ended off course with the lesbian schoolteacher in the back of a f****** police car for boffing a student!  Personally, I would rather see a film with “lesser” production values and a womyn-loving positive ending for the Centerpiece selection. 

As the georgeous, willowy Heather announces before each screening, the festival committee views over 200 films — these are the best of what is submitted.  So the real issue becomes how do womyn increase their presence and power in film-making?  How do we create the media world that we want to live in?  That is a great issue to bring up at the Panel Discussion “Out, Proud AND in the Film Industry”.  Show up at 2pm on Saturday, July 12 at William Way Center to raise your Philly Grrrl voice. 

Adn where do we find such a critter?  Me, I long for more movies like “Nina’s Heavenly Delites”.  This tasty morsel from last year’s line-up was a Philly Grrl’s answer to “Like Water For Chocolate”.  ”Delites”  featured a lush British-Asian curry chef, Nina,  cooking up some spicy fare and even steamier romance for her new gal-pal.  The storyline grabbed you too with a high family drama as she fights for control of her deceased father’s restaurant  and the excitement of the annual Glasgow Curry Competition.  Kudos to director Pratibha Parmar for leading by example for womyn in film. 

What are your picks from the festival lineup?  This year, I am looking forward to U People, Searching for Sandeep, Delightful Dykes and the ever popular Laughing Matters.   Write on in and let’s create some buzz around Philly Dyke Films . . .

Greetings from Philly Grrrl and welcome to Philly Dyke Films.  I am an avid fan of the Philadelphia International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, having volunteered for the last few years.  Loved the movies, the parties and the community around seeing ourselves up on the big screen.  This year, I wanted to do some freelance writing about the great grrrls who create film for womyn and those who like to watch.  So log in and join the buzz about Philly Dyke Films.