Now that 2007 is well underway, we're pleased to announce the 21st London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival dates. The Festival will run from 21 March to 4 April 2007, showing the best in new queer cinema from around the world.

As well as the Opening and Closing Night Gala films in Leicester Square, there will be two weeks of features, short films and a great range of special events at the redeveloped BFI Southbank. Alongside the core Festival, there will also be additional special screenings and handpicked highlights from our recent Times BFI 50th London Film Festival.

This year sees the introduction of films by Black actors, directors and writers, something that we have looked forward to for a very long time, so make sure you go down and show your support.

One of the 'must see' is the Centrepiece Screening of 'Rag Tag'. At last a British Black Gay Film. One that has two strong leads and sense of realism. Raymond/Rag and Tagbo/Tag have a friendship that has endured over many years of separation. As twelve year olds they enjoyed an intimacy that many adults would find threatening. As young men, despite the disapproval of Tag’s religiously driven father, racism, the distractions of troubled heterosexual relationships and shady dealings in Nigeria, Rag and Tag are forced to face the inevitable. Their love is full of promise and truth but neither of them is sure how to embrace it. Set in a London that is totally believable Rag Tag has an edge that echoes Stephen Frears My Beautiful Launderette. As a bonus it is also set in Lagos, which adds a cultural dynamic rarely explored: namely the relationship between British Nigerian and West Indian communities. The film introduces its themes and ideas without banner waving. The two leads are believable and watchable and supported by a strong cast. It’s a story that has a slow burn but one worth persevering with, because by the end, the sum of its parts makes this film amount to a touching life affirming love story. It also boasts some very good looking black guys and the first British Black Gay screen kiss since Isaac Julien’s Passion of Remembrance. Topher Campbell.

Directed by Adaora Nwandu. With Daniel Parsons, Adedamola Adeleja Geoffrey Aymer Tamsin Clarke. UK-Nigeria/98min.

Other black themed films on the offering are:

HOW DO I LOOK
Picking up from where Paris is Burning left off, the new school of Vogue champions play fast and loose with their fierce identity. The role call of participants in this extraordinary testimony to difference read like a who’s who of fabulousness including Kevin Avience, Jose Xtravaganza, Mystery Royale, China Blue, Mann Prodigy, Jasmine Givanchy Blahnik, Jamie Balanciaga and the Legendary Willie Ninja who died in 2006. My favorite line: “Truth cannot change no matter how much they cut it off” is delivered as part of the gritty/glamourus testimonies of trans people of colour; including Tracy Africa the Ervin Penn discovered ‘70’s supermodel, until she was found out. At which point the doors closed. Voguing is arguably one of the most powerful expressions of Black and Latino identity and culture on the planet. Personal. Powerful. Defiant. Informative. Inspirational. Xtraordinary! Ovahness.

Directed by Wolfgang Busch and Kevin Omni. Featuring Peppa Labaija, Willi Ninja, Harmonica Sunbeam. USA/2005/75 mins


BLUEPRINT
African-American cinema has not traditionally embraced the avant-garde. Blueprint is an exception. It depicts an ambling day in New York as Keith prepares to leave. Suddenly and without obvious explanation Nathan appears and sticks to him like toffee. As the day unfolds a strong bond forms between them demonstrating the fragility of youth and the first flushes of love. The two leads are mesmerizing and the way the narrative transpires is brave and fresh. There are Derek Jarman like moments as well as a tempo inspired by Kar Wai Wong’s Happy Together. It is because of this that Kirk-Shannon Butts is definitely a new voice in African-American cinema.

Directed by Kirk Shannon-Butts. With Blake Young Fountain, Damion Lee USA/2006/72mins

NOAH’S ARC
The Boys are back! In Patrik-Ian Polk’s second instalment of the tale of Noah’s search for true love there are enough twists and turns to satisfy any hardened Desperate Housewives fan. We join Noah in episode two.  He has a new man and is trying to get over the Phinest of Phoine men, Wade. Meanwhile, somebody is trying to steal Alex’s boyfriend Trey, and the Professor, Chance is finding married life playing the wife frustrating. By episode 7  things get a bit more serious. Noah is hospitalised and the gloss of beautiful Black Gay LA starts to rub off. Along the way there is a brilliant over the top cameo by Brit actor Jason Steed in an episode written by Brit writer/director Rikki Beadle Blair. Noah’s Arc has become something of an underground classic on bootleg in the UK. Here’s a chance to see series two legit and it’s better than series one. It is definitely one to see with friends. Oh and did I mention that Noah’s wardrobe is just “out-there”. This is pure chocolate. Indulge.

Series Created by Patrik-Ian Polk
Directed by Sheldon Larry, Mina Shum, Laurie Lynd.
With Darryl Stephens, Douglas Spearman, Christian Vincent, Rodney Chester Jensen Atwood Raz B Gregory Keith, Wilson Cruz. USA/2006/6 x 22 mins


INGE BLACKMAN RETROSPECTIVE`
Inge Blackman is a lone voice in British filmmaking. A self styled Black Lesbian and Caribbean storyteller. Inge’s films are about memory, identity and autobiography. Her often moving and graceful compositions seek to evoke the imagination in response to a desire to represent sexuality and identity. Here we have a very committed filmmaker and it shows in her work. Inge is also aware of here place within the filmmaking traditions of art house film and gallery based work. The films shown here are an example of the core of that tradition and are consciously made to add a Black Queer perspective.

The screenings are followed by a Q and A with the Filmmaker


PARDISE LOST
The filmmaker travels back to Trinidad to discover the roots of her sexuality and how it is placed in West Indian culture. An insightful and enlightening experience.

Inge Blackman UK/2003 /25mins



BD WOMEN
Images of Butch and Femme are interplayed between the testimonies of Black British Lesbians. Inge dramatises the idea of desire here in a film reminiscent of Isaac Julien’s Looking For Langston.

Inge Blackman UK/1994/20mins


LEGACY
A brave, revealing essay of one woman’s relationship with her mother.  Inge uses ancient rituals to reconnect with the memories of her childhood. This is a beautiful moving and inspiring testimony.

Inge Blackman UK/2006/17mins

DIRTY LAUNDRY
Following on from the popular and sassy Ski Trip two years ago, here comes Maurice Jamal’s laugh-a-minute second feature Dirty Laundry. Successful Black gay city boy Patrick is called back to the bosom of his Southern family home. With no sight or sound of the prodigal son for ten years, a few major details of his life have slipped by his clan (the cut boyfriend in tow tends to give at least one away). Greeted with the open, gossipy arms of his larger-than-life noisy neighbours and pulled out of bed for an hilarious trip to church, resist as he might, Anthony has no choice but to bit the bullet of his past. Shout to God, shake your knees, an awesome gospel soundtrack propels this film through acutely observed and hilarious scenes. You’ll be down on your knees or dancing on the ceiling. TC

Director: Maurice Jamal. With Rockmond Dunbar, Loretta Divine, Jenifer Lewis, Terri J Vaughn. USA/2006/107 mins


BLACK BEAULAHS
If you are a beulah, you are fabulous in South African Black slang. Fanney Tsimong here gives room to three testimonies of lives lived fighting stereotypes and celebrating difference. This is a glimpse of South Africa that few see and certainly sheds light on of the most vibrant Black nations on earth. TC

Directed by Fanney Tsimong. South Africa, 2006, 52mins

To buy your tickets for these and other films in the festival, visit www.llgff.org.uk

Name:  The 21st London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
Web: http://www.llgff.org.uk
Address: National Film Theatre, South Bank, London
Dates:     Running from Wed 21st Mar 2007 until Wed 4th Apr 2007
Times:     Variable
Pricing: Variable
Phone:     020 7255 1444

Travel:    
Euro star - 6 minute walk to the South East
Waterloo Underground - 6 minute walk to the South East
Waterloo Railway Station - 6 minute walk to the South East
Waterloo East Railway Station - 6 minute walk to the South East
Embankment Underground - 7 minute walk to the North West

Parking:    
Coin Street NCP - 5 minute walk to the East
Q-Park Waterloo A - 6 minute walk to the South East
St Martins Lane Hotel NCP - 13 minute walk to the North West
Trafalgar Masterpark - 14 minute walk to the West
Upper St Martins Lane NCP - 15 minute walk to the North West