QFest 2019: Houston’s International LGBTQ Film Festival Returns July 24–31

By Megan Smith

There’s something magical about the first time you connect with a queer character on screen. For me, it was Spencer Carlin in South of Nowhere (shout out to 2005!). Seeing someone who looks like you, loves like you, and is navigating similar struggles can be life altering—even life saving. The leadership behind QFest, Houston’s international LGBTQ film festival, understands the need for such representation. This July 24–31, the festival celebrates its 23rd year with an extended, eight-day lineup of more than 15 features and an expanded slate of shorts that will bring both new revelations and nostalgic feels to audiences. “The goal this year is to truly explore the meaning of our mission with an international slate of films that touch upon the many lives that exist in our community,” says Kristian Salinas, QFest executive director.

The festival’s Opening Night kicks off with a screening of Jennie Livingston’s seminal 1990 film, Paris Is Burning, at Rice Cinema. The documentary, which showcases the Harlem Ball Scene of the mid-1980s to early 1990s, exposed audiences to the world of house mothers, queer chosen family, realness, and throwing shade long before more modern representations such as Pose. “This film is a landmark,” Salinas says. “It revealed a segment of our community that no one outside of that community knew existed. As a result, that culture has influenced everything we have now. It’s one of the best documentaries ever made about anything queer.” Salinas also encourages festival goers to stick around after the screening for a free afterparty in the Rice Cinema Gallery. This celebration of community, presented by Spectrum South, will feature live music, food and drinks, and performances by local queer artists.

The celebration continues Thursday night at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, with a special presentation of Cassandro, the Exotico! (2018). At the center of this documentary is Cassandro, a native of El Paso, Texas, and a life-long, openly gay lucha libre star—one of very few in a sport dominated by machismo culture. Known for his eccentric drag, acrobatics, and iconic pompadour, Cassandro “exudes resilience of all kinds—from the physical power to level his opponents, to an ability to revisit past trauma and cope with the scars of a body pushed to its limits.” The powerhouse luchador will be in attendance at the screening and will participate in a Q&A following the film. “Being Hispanic, being a migrant, being gay—it’s not often that we have documentaries about people from those backgrounds,” Salinas says. “Cassandro is also in recovery, and that’s something he’s very proud of. He’s a really kind, wonderful person, and is always there for the outsider.”

The feeling of being an outsider, of being the other, has long united queer folks on and off screen. For this year’s festival, QFest aims to highlight the longevity of this shared experience with numerous revival screenings, including a Friday night screening of Tongues Untied (1989), followed by Angel (1984) on Sunday. Salinas shares that the inclusion of Tongues United in this year’s fest signifies a true homecoming for the film. “This was really the first film to deal directly with the impact of AIDS on Black, gay men,” he explains. “It was originally intended for broadcast on Houston PBS, but there was a ‘community outcry’ from conservatives and religious activists who demanded it not be shown. So, it was pulled from Houston broadcast and, as a result, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston decided it was going to try and show it. They worked with SWAMP, DiverseWorks, and the Community Artists Collective to bring the film to Houston, where it was screened to a sold-out audience.” The film now returns to MFAH for a 30th anniversary screening. A panel discussion, led by MFAH film curator Marian Luntz, will follow.

Despite its outrageous storyline, Angel exemplifies the concept of chosen family, Salinas says. The film centers around Molly, a teenage honor student at a ritzy Beverly Hills private school. Come to find out, Molly pays her exorbitant tuition rates by moonlighting as a Hollywood Boulevard prostitute named Angel. “The reason she does it is she doesn’t have any family,” Salinas says. “She lives with outcasts in Hollywood who protect her—drag queens and prostitutes. When her fellow prostitutes start getting killed, they band together. This is a story about chosen family, but it’s also just a great example of sleazeploitation. We don’t see movies like this anymore. [QFest presents the opportunity] to see the film in 35mm—which has never before been projected. It’s recreating the experience of seeing it in the theater for the first time.”

The festival comes to a close on Wednesday, July 31, with a screening of Why Can’t I Be Me? Around You (2019) from director Harrod Blank. Blank, who is heavily involved in the art-car scene, was inspired after breaking down near Albuquerque. Stranded, the only mechanic around capable of fixing the car was Rusty Tidenberg, a local trans woman who, at the time, had only recently started her transition. Blank, inspired by her story, films Tidenberg for the next eight years. “This film is a great representation of queer life in a small town,” Salinas says. “That’s not often seen.” Salinas adds that both Blank and Tidenberg will be in attendance at the screening.

For the second year in a row, Closing Night will also feature the festival’s juried awards, including best picture, best performer, the John Steven Kellett Freedom of Vision Award, an audience award, and an award presented by the Houston Film Critic Society.

Looking ahead, Salinas emphasizes that future QFest programming would not be possible without the significant grant the festival will receive over the next three years from the John Steven Kellett Foundation. “This funding will ensure that QFest reaches a major milestone,” Salinas says. “It will carry us into our 25th year.”

For ticket information and to view QFest 2019’s full film lineup, visit q-fest.com. Click here to RSVP to the festival’s Opening Night screening and afterparty, presented by Spectrum South.