Apr 18, 2017

Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival, the largest event of its kind in Canada, announced today the 2017 Opening Night Gala and the Women’s Gala. The festival will open with the Canadian Premiere of God’s Own Country, following its success at the Sundance Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival. The Women’s Gala, taking place opening weekend, will be the Canadian Premiere of Signature Move, co-written, produced and starring Pakistani-Canadian comedian Fawzia Mirza. Celebrating its 27th year, the 11-day festival takes place May 25 to June 4, 2017.  

“As an international leader in the presentation of queer cinema, we are pleased to showcase films with varied perspectives on love and identity from around the globe,” said Andria Wilson, Inside Out’s Executive Director.
 
“I am honoured that the Canadian’s premiere of God's Own Country will open this year’s festival,” said director/writer, Francis Lee. “As a story of hope, love and being true to yourself I can't wait to share it with Canadian audiences.”
 
Opening Night Gala
God’s Own Country – Canadian Premiere
Director: Francis Lee
Sundance Film Festival 2017
Berlin International Film Festival 2017
Screens Thursday, May 25 2017
 

Francis Lee’s debut feature is a sensual, contemporary tale of emotional awakening set against the backdrop of God’s own country, the farming hills of Yorkshire. After giving up college to work on his family’s farm, Johnny numbs the daily frustration of life by binge drinking at the local pub and having casual sex with strangers. As lambing season approaches, his father recruits Gheorghe, a skilled and handsome migrant worker. Johnny suddenly finds himself having to deal with unfamiliar emotions, and discovers that being isolated in the rural countryside with Gheorghe may actually be his best education. God’s Own Country is a haunting meditation on life and love that is at once intimate and enduring.
 
“Inside Out heads for greener pastures as we present the Canadian Premiere of the Sundance favourite God’s Own Country,” said Andrew Murphy, Director of Programming. “This intimate portrait of shepherding love in the Yorkshire countryside is a perfect way to set the tone for what lies ahead over the Festival’s 11 days.”
 
*The Inside Out Opening Gala Party follows the screening of God’s Own Country at Malaparte (TIFF Bell Lightbox, 6^th floor, 350 King Street West). Featuring two of Toronto’s hottest DJs, Lucie Tic (@LucieTic) and Ace Dillinger (@Ace_Dillinger), this will prepare audiences for the upcoming 11 days festivities. Cover is $15. Free with your God’s Own Country screening and party ticket. Presented by RBC Royal Bank.
 
The Women’s Gala
SIGNATURE MOVE – Canadian Premiere
Director: Jennifer Reeder
Urdu, Spanish, and English with English subtitles
SXSW Film Festival 2017
Screens Saturday, May 27 2017
 

Zaynab (Fawzia Mirza from the webseries Her Story) lives with her widowed TV-obsessed mother (Shabana Azmi) but takes great pains to hide everything from her, including her love of wrestling and her sexuality. Alma (Sari Sanchez), on the other hand, gives Zaynab’s routine a much-needed shakeup, and what starts as a casual affair begins to deepen. Zaynab’s discomfort with her sexuality and her dysfunctional relationship with her mother, however, threaten to drive the young women apart.  

“Our Women’s Gala steps into the ring with the Canadian Premiere of Signature Move, the hilarious wrestling romantic comedy co-written and starring Canuck comedian Fawzia Mirza,” said Andrew Murphy. “You’ll be laughing and crying whilst in a headlock in this fantastic story of diversity, love, TV-obsessed mothers, and Lucha-style wrestling.”
 
*Following the Canadian Premiere of Signature Move Inside Out will host a the Signature Groove party at Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West) with special guests the League of Lady Wrestlers and DJs Cozmic Cat (@djcozmic, Cherrybomb) and Wei Back (Brown Rice, Regretro). Cover is $10 general public/$8 members. Free with your Signature Movescreening and party ticket. With Support from the Gladstone Hotel, the League of Lady Wrestlers, and HER.

The Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival celebrates 27 years of showcasing the most diverse, powerful and entertaining work in LGBT cinema from Canada and around the world. Early Bird ticket packages are now on sale at insideout.ca. Ticket packages are on sale now at insideout.ca.
 
Additional programming announcements are forthcoming, with the full festival line-up unveiled on Friday, May 5.