On Saturday, February 9, the University of Southern California will hold the 6th Annual Don Thompson LGBT Film Festival at The Ray Stark Family Theatre, which will showcase films by students and alumni pertaining to or created by gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. Last year, the festival hosted an impressive honorary jury which included actor George Takei, director Randal Kleiser, and Laura McGinnis of The Trevor Project, to present the awards for LGBT Awareness and Artistic Merit to the filmmakers.
This year, the USC Lambda LGBT Alumni Association is pleased to host a new film jury that will include managing editor of The Advocate, Neal Broverman, vice president of drama development for Sony Pictures Television, Jason Clodfelter, returning juror Randal Kleiser (Grease and It’s My Party), documentary filmmaker Glenne McElhinney, and director Tina Mabry (Mississippi Damned). Among the films showcased last year at the festival, was Of Truth A Canvas from director Monely Soltani, which followed the journey of two Los Angeles artists through their transition from female to male. The films that will be honored at this year's event have yet not been announced.
The Don Thompson LGBT Film Festival was started six years ago as a small scholarship festival by the Los Angeles running group LA Frontrunners, and has since grown to be the USC Lambda LGBT Alumni Association’s signature annual event. For a full schedule and to purchase tickets, you can visit the festival’s website here.