#INSIDEOUT: OPENING NIGHT PARTY AT MALAPARTE, TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

Now in its 25th year, the Inside Out LGBT Film Festival takes place in Toronto from Thursday, May 21 through Sunday, May 31, 2015. The Festival which is comprised of Events, Parties and Films, gives a voice to an under-represented community in Cinema, promoting, producing and exhibiting Films relevant to the LGBT Community regardless or race, age or ability.

Highlighting this year’s Festival is Opening Night Gala, GRANDMA, directed by Paul Weitz and starring Lily Tomlin, Judy Greer and Laverne Cox, about three generations of Women trying to overcome their demons.  Also in the Galas and Special Presentations Program, FRESNO screens the first Saturday night of the Festival. The Film is    about a group of sisters who help each other stay out of jail after a relapse out of rehab leads to murder. Several years of unresolved issues come to light. Natasha Lyonne, Judy Greer and Aubrey Plaza star. FOURTH MAN OUT is about a guy involved with a tight-knit group of male friends, when accidentally he is outed, which changes the dynamic of their friendship completely. PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL MONOGAMIST closes the Festival with a distinct Canadian flavour, having been filmed in Toronto. It centers on a TV Producer who breaks-up with her Girlfriend, with her sights set on a Barista, only to meet the disapproval of her Family and Friends.

Other Special Guests include: Drag Queen Jinkx Monsoon, MMA Star Fallon Fox, Tab Hunter and several more.

We had the pleasure of attending the Festival’s Opening Night Party held at luxurious Malaparte at TIFF Bell Lightbox, soaking-in the fun, following the Premiere of GRANDMA. Guests enjoyed live re-enactments of iconic LGBT Films like Brokeback Mountain, snacked on Lobster Sliders, Cauliflower Tacos, Rainbow Popcorn and Macarons, among other things, while listening to spinning of Producer and DJ JD Samson of influencial Electroclash Trio, Le Tigre.  Silent Auctions were bountiful with items ranging from Sex Toys to Liquor to Experiences.

James Fanizza also was the proud recipient of the Inside Out Harold Greenberg Fund Short to Feature Award, which saw him win a prize of $10k which will help him transition his Short Film You Are Free into a Feature Film.

See some Snaps from the night:

Thematic rainbow-coloured/flavoured Popcorn at the opening night party for @InsideOutTO. #InsideOut #InsideOut2015

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on May 21, 2015 at 9:37pm PDT

Cowboys re-enacting #BrokebackMountain at the #InsideOut2015 opening night party. @InsideOutTO #InsideOut

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on May 21, 2015 at 9:36pm PDT

Best view in the City at Malaparte, @TIFF_Net Bell Lightbox. #InsideOut2015 #InsideOut @InsideOutTO A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on May 21, 2015 at 9:18pm PDT

A little late to the Party, but so happy to see my Cousins Sue and Wesley at the official opening night party for @InsideOutTO! #InsideOut #InsideOut2015

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on May 21, 2015 at 9:15pm PDT

NBD. Just partying with Icon #JDSamson of #LeTigre, who spins at the @InsideOutTO opening night party! #InsideOut2015 #InsideOut A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on May 21, 2015 at 9:37pm PDT

To learn more about Inside Out, click here.

 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)