The 7th In&Out Meetings, the gay and lesbian film festival of Nice & Cannes, will take place from April 30 to May 9. And we clearly announce, this year “In&Out is COMING OUT.”
The choice of this theme is both a playful gesture and a great opportunity to address issues that are important to us. There is, of course, the obvious: how does cinema tackle this crucial moment of publicly embracing one’s homosexuality? But it’s possible to broaden the perspective. How can a gay and lesbian film festival uphold its “unique” theme without contradiction while remaining open to the widest audience? Or, how can the notion of “Gay and Lesbian Cultures” claim itself without fearing to close off the access to universality for the artists and works that comprise it?
In this way, In&Out — which is always asked to be “more open” — literally makes its coming out by shedding a queer light on the themes it tackles, reaffirming its desire to offer visibility to LGBT cultures in all their diversity, including their controversial aspects such as pornography.
Other themes will enrich a programming rich with 33 feature films and 3 short film sessions. Echoing 2014, homophobia remains very present in the work of many filmmakers, many of whom are looking towards Eastern Europe. Canada and Italy are also highlighted with a selection of the best recent national productions, Quebec short films, or a theatrical adaptation of the cult series “Le Coeur a ses raisons.”
For the first time this year, the festival has an official competition and awards, the “Esperluettes,” to honor the best films of our selection. The jury will be made up of film professionals and queer artists: director Emilie JOUVET; Xavier HERAUD, journalist at Yagg; Didier ROTH-BETTONI, author notably of Homosexuality in Cinema, and Dana Osi, Vice-President of the LGBT Center Côte d’Azur.
For some, the number 7 is a sign of luck and truth. What great prospects for this new edition!
Benoit Arnulf,
Artistic Director
See the festival website: https://www.inoutfestival.fr
