Feature

Nonprofit ‘Film Independent’ Celebrates Pride Month

Los Angeles, CA. Film Independent is shining a spotlight on the June celebration of pride month and the LGBTQ+ community. The nonprofit funds creative storytelling to promote diversity, innovation, and unique vision within film. In honor of pride month, Film Independent dedicates its monthly Fiscal Spotlight column to its LGBTQ-related film projects. From taking an in-depth look at asexuality to a commentary on the AIDS epidemic, the funded films that tackle issues faced by the LGBTQ community and include: Anti-Venom for a Snake, Dear Luke, Love, Me, and The Residents of 8265 Oakland Ave.

Dear Luke, Love, Me, written by Mallie McCown, is the first narrative feature of its kind to tell an asexual love story, exploring the nuance of asexuality and the importance of queer-platonic bonds.

In a collaboration between Pride Month and the Black Lives Matter movement, Film Independent spotlights black LGBTQ content creators through its weekly video playlist. Members and nonmembers alike can visit the playlists to learn more about the influential LGBTQ writers, producers, and actors that are helping expand and diversify the film industry.

Film Independent spotlights Orange is the New Black star, Laverne Cox, and her work to change how Hollywood represents transgender people.

For June of 2020 Film Independent partnered with Outfest, another film focussed nonprofit, to launch the United in Pride Fest, which provided members with a digital celebration of Pride Month through queer-themed shorts and online coffee chats with LGBTQ cinema icons. Continuing with their online presence this year, Film Independent has put together a Youtube playlist of “must watch queer films” for all to enjoy.

Here’s a video that highlights some of the recommended films. Film Independent writes, “Celebrate Pride Month 2021 with some (but definitely not all) of our favorite queer film moments of the modern indie era.”

From Film Independent:

Film Independent is the nonprofit arts organization that champions creative independence in visual storytelling and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff and constituents is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a Member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional or a film lover.