Cheers, Queers: Unprecedented Collaboration Honors LGBTQ+ Filmmakers and Stories in Park City
By Dolores Quintana
In an exciting collaboration, GLAAD has partnered with renowned LGBTQ+ film festivals, Frameline and NewFest, to present “Cheers, Queers” during the 40th edition of the Sundance Film Festival. This unique event, hosted at the Acura House of Energy at 550 Swede Alley on Friday, January 19, features a groundbreaking panel and party to honor queer cinema and filmmakers.
The “Queer Film is Activism” panel, slated for the event, will showcase notable figures such as Alok Vaid-Menon, filmmaker Alex Hedison, Allegra Madsen of Frameline, David Hatkoff from NewFest, DaShawn Usher of GLAAD, and Natalie Jasmine Harris, director of “Grace.” Moderating the discussion will be Anthony Allen Ramos, Vice President of Communications and Talent at GLAAD. Following the panel, a vibrant mixer will provide an opportunity to toast LGBTQ filmmakers and community members in attendance.
A joint statement from Frameline, GLAAD, and NewFest expressed the importance of creating a dedicated space at the Sundance Film Festival to celebrate queer films and storytellers. The organizations share a commitment to amplifying queer voices and showcasing diverse narratives that highlight the humanity of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Additionally, on January 19, GLAAD’s Alex Schmider, the Producer and Director of Transgender Representation, will participate in the “IMDbPro and Prime Video present: Intentionally Intersectional” panel. Moderated by Latasha Gillespie, this panel will explore authentic and inclusive representation in the entertainment industry. GLAAD and IMDbPro, known for their collaborative efforts, continue to advocate for inclusivity in the industry.
The festivities continue on Monday, with GLAAD events spotlighting transgender storytellers at The Box Theater. This includes a fireside chat with trans director Yance Ford and a filmmaker conversation moderated by Alex Schmider.
The 2024 Sundance Film Festival lineup boasts a diverse array of queer representations, reflecting the commitment to inclusivity in both fiction and documentary projects.
