Call for artists and films for GFEST 2012

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GFEST – Gaywise FESTival, the premier annual lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) arts festival in London is looking for submissions for this year’s festival.
‘Queer Art queries..’ is the theme of this year’s festival which will take place in November in venues across London.

Niranjan Kamatkar, artistic director of GFEST said, ‘This year we want to address and question the issues and challenges that our community faces on a daily basis. We hope to encourage artists to work together on exciting, thought provoking and innovative work. We want to query what happens in the queer arts world.’ We are looking for submissions from artists and organisations, with a particular focus on collaboration across art form, age and cultural backgrounds. The festival accepts submissions in three categories: films, visual arts and performance.

The deadline for submissions is Friday 29 June 2012.

Submissions are accepted on: www.gaywisefestival.org.uk

For more information on
GFEST – Gaywise FESTival 2012 please contact: Wise Thoughts / GFEST – Gaywise FESTival
Tel: 020 8889 9555
info@wisethoughts.org
www.wisethoughts.org / www.gaywisefestival.org.uk

Gay Cross Art Festival in London GFEST 2011 Started With A Bang!

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Seed Newsvine

GFEST 2011 Visual arts exhibition at Dreamspace Gallery

GFEST – Gaywise FESTival 2011 started on Monday 7 November with a huge turnout at the Dreamspace Gallery EC1Y 8NA,  in Barbican area of London. The FREE ENTRY exhibition is open to public until 19 November. Mayor of Islington Cllr Phil Kelly attended and  spoke at the private view last night. GFEST is recognised as ‘London’s annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) cross-art festival for all’.

Mayor of Islington talking to festival attendees

GFEST director Niranjan Kamatkar said, “Despite the massive funding crunch this year, I am pleased with the audience turnout and hope people turn up in huge numbers at the rest of the events until 20 November.”
“I am also impressed with the GFEST volunteers help, which is supported by Team London.  GFEST has become a great fun event again this year, showcasing diverse LGBTQ artistic talent,  cool and hip films and performances. We need everyone to turn up at the events to show their support and to make this event successful.” He added.

GFEST 2011 short film screenings at the Prince Charles Cinema on 8, 9 and 10 November showcase a fantastic line-up of shorts and continue to offer a rare chance to watch some of the films on the big screen.
Sensational variety acts at the festival performance events will liven up The Cockpit Theatre in Marylebone on 17, 18 and 19 November.

GFEST 2011 debate at Rich Mix on 15 November looks at the theme of ‘East London: Homophobia / Transphobia’ – Impact on culture and arts. Peter Tatchell has agreed to be one of the key speakers.
GFEST is supported by Team London this year for the volunteers’ involvement.

For full programme and booking information please visit: http://www.gaywisefestival.org.uk

GFEST 2011 In London To Open Next Week On 7 November

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GFEST 2011 is to start the exciting artistic journey next week on the 7th November 2011. Now in its fifth year, GFEST is widely recognised as ‘London’s annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) cross-art festival for all’ . Opening up with an exciting visual arts exhibition at the Dreamspace Gallery on Monday 7 November, it will be an exciting look at the wide scope of gay arts in this country.

A still for GFEST 2011 film

Film makers, provocateurs, drag acts, lesbian hip hop artists, symphonic wind groups, anarcho electro punks and London cabaret scene stars are all participants in GFEST 2011.
GFEST 2011 short film screenings at the Prince Charles Cinema on 8, 9 and 10 November  feature Hong Khaou whose film Spring debuted at Sundance this year, Sydney based director Craig Boreham, Liane Lang and Betsy Kalin amongst others covering trends in lesbian culture, amateur boxing, transition in relationships and teenage secrets. This year the short film screenings also include award winning filmmaker Darius Clark Monroe whose film ‘Slow’ deals with a blind date and the possibility that it might bring, a documentary film by Nola Grace Gaardmand, ‘Home for the Golden Gays’ focusing on refuge for elderly and vulnerable gays in Manila since 1969 and Jason Bradbury’s ‘We Once Were Tide’.

Art work from Simon Croft

Together they cover a variety of themes ranging from discrimination and migration to gender ambiguity and homophobia across the world via one night stands and young people’s issues around sexuality!
The festival organisers are delighted to have a wide range of  artists taking part in this year’s visual arts exhibition including Jason C Woodson, Boa Swindler, Gozra Lozano, Sadie Hennessy, Deric Ch’ng , Eloquent Graffiti, Paul Chisholm, Marta Kochanek, Simon Croft, Peter A Leigh and Jan Morley amongst others.
The topical and lively debate: East London – Homophobia & Transphobia, a culture and arts perspective is on 15 November at Rich Mix in the trendy Shoreditch and Bethnal Green area.
GFEST 2011 performance artists also cover a wide range taking in the political agitation of electro punk of Ste McCabe, the Pink Singers and V G Lee who gives us her take on lesbian life in the slow lane.

Holestar

EvOn is a young lesbian rapper giving her unique spin on urban, hip-hop and soul music and GFEST 2011 also sees the return of Marcus Reeves who will be performing a selection of songs from his first decade of solo performance and his forthcoming debut album. These and many more performance events will all take place at The Cockpit Theatre in Marylebone on 17, 18 and 19 November.
GFEST 2011 arts events, debates, parties and workshops run from 7 to 20 November at venues across London.
for full programme and booking information please visit: http://www.gaywisefestival.org.uk
—
GFEST – Gaywise FESTival is the premier LGBTQ annual cross-arts festival in London – a platform for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer artists. It’s produced and organised by arts charity Wise Thoughts. www.gaywisefestival.org.uk/
For more information, photo call and interviews opportunities please contact:  0208 889 9555 / info@wisethoughts.org
Wise Thoughts, established in 1999, creates dynamic arts initiatives such as GFEST and delivers services to help address social justice issues and needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) and Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

Emerging Idenitities In Films Are In Focus at London's Gay Art Festival

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The UK capital awaits the launch of GFEST – Gaywise FESTival 2011 that promises to enthrall film audiences.  For GFEST 2011 film programme info please visit:  http://gaywisefestival.org.uk/filmscreening.php
GFEST 2011 Short Film Screenings will take place at Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BY on Tues 8 / Wed 9 / Thus 10 Nov at 7.15 pm /Box Office: 020 74943654 /  Online: http://princecharlescinema.com

A still from Fighting Chance

The film selection includes short films made by both British and international film makers, which  offers something for everyone and includes a number of London premieres.

GFEST artistic director Niranjan Kamatkar is really excited about the upcoming film screening events, “Everything this year takes you on a narrative journey that is unique, thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable. The films explore race, politics and young people’s sexualities in  contemporary settings. It is a rare chance to watch some of the short films on a big screen.”

This year short film screenings include award winning filmmaker Darius Clark Monroe’s film ‘Slow’ which deals with a blind date and the possibility that it might bring, a documentary film by Nola Grace Gaardmand, ‘Home for the Golden Gays’ focusing on refuge for elderly and vulnerable gays in Manila since 1969 and Jason Bradbury’s ‘We Once Were Tide’ which looks at Anthony and Kyle spending their last night together before Kyle moves away, leaving Anthony to look after his terminally ill mother.

Transition

The festival will also feature Hong Khaou’s  film Spring, debuted at Sundance this year, Sydney based director Craig Boreham, Liane Lang and Betsy Kalin amongst others covering trends in lesbian culture, amateur boxing, transition in relationships and teenage secrets.

Full film events details and information about GFEST 2011 films is available on:
http://www.gaywisefestival.org.uk/filmscreening.php

For more information, please contact: Subodh
Rathod, Wise Thoughts / GFEST Tel: 020 8889 9555
info@wisethoughts.org
www.wisethoughts.org / www.gaywisefestival.org.uk

Filmmaker wants to be known for films that are ‘something fun and colorful with a deep message’

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Seed Newsvine
Tamer Ruggli’s film ‘Cappuccino’ is selected to show at  GFEST – Gaywise FESTival 2011 Film events.  GFEST 2011 Short Film Screenings will take place at Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BY on Tues 8 / Wed 9 / Thus 10 Nov at 7.15 pm / Box Office: 020 74943654 /
Online: http://princecharlescinema.com

We asked Tamer about the film, other film work and creativity in general.

Ramer Ruggli

How do you see your own film or film work? 


“Cappuccino” is a tender, yet somehow cynical look at a young boy’s first crush. I also see it as a story of a mother and her son, coming of age together.

How would you describe your own filmmaking process? 


I like to try out things during the shoot. Especially when you work with young, non-professional actors who still have a very natural and spontaneous way to act. I also have the need to feel very close to my actors, make them feel comfortable and gain their trust. Trust may be the most important thing an actor can give you!

Are there any external factors that help you creatively?


I come more from a visual arts background. I paint and draw a lot. I surely start drawing characters and places before I actually start to write. You can draw an idea and it’ll cost you nothing. It’s a good way to figure out if something would work or not. I have a pretty much bizarre family as well with inspiring life stories. That helps a lot to enrich your characters!

How do you look at reinventing yourself or work on reflecting progression in your work?

      
It’s not like I have a lot of films that I can look back to. I can see that I’m definitely fascinated by women and strange situations. I like to make humor about things that are not necessarily funny. Make laugh when you know you shouldn’t. What I know for sure is that I like to create characters that people will remember.

What are the most important themes and elements that feed into your creativity?


Women and sexuality are recurring themes in my films. The characters in my films often feel different and misunderstood. I like to show that beauty they have within, the reason why they feel different.

Can you describe the creative process behind the work and how it works for you?


“Cappuccino” is my graduation project at the film school back here in Switzerland. I had a year to write, shoot and finish the film.

How would you like your work to be known? 


As something fun and colorful with a deep message.

Any single wish?
It starts with a J. and ends with a Moore.

Thank you Tamer and best wishes from GFEST team.

For more information on GFEST – Gaywise FESTival 2011 please contact: Subodh Rathod, Wise Thoughts / GFEST – Gaywise FESTival
Tel: 020 8889 9555
info@wisethoughts.org
www.wisethoughts.org / www.gaywisefestival.org.uk
———————–
GFEST web networks: http://www.wisethoughts.org http://www.gaywisefestival.org.uk http://www.facebook.com/niranjan.kamatkar http://www.gaywisefestival.blogspot.com/ http://twitter.com/gfest http://gaywisefestival.wordpress.com/ http://www.yoursemotionally.com/ http://www.myspace.com/interviewwithapolitician http://www.flickr.com/photos/gfest/ http://www.youtube.com/user/wisethoughts http://uk.linkedin.com/in/niranjankamatkar http://www.myspace.com/gaywisefestiva

All about Feisty, Sarcastic Queer Politics and Feminist Solidarity and with a Good Heart

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Seed Newsvine
Electro-Punk Singer Ste McCabe  is selected to perform at London gay art festival GFEST this November. GFEST – Gaywise FESTival 2011 Performances will take place at The Cockpit (Theatre), Gateforth Street, Marylebone, London, NW8 8EH on Thus 17,  Fri 18  and Sat 19 Nov at 7.30 PM  / Online: http://www.wegottickets.com/f/2991
A chat with Ste reveals much more about his work and creative process.

Ste McCabe

How do you see your own art or artwork?
I see my music as an act of protest for an indiepunk dancefloor.

How would you describe your own practice?
Loud and nasty but with a good heart.

Are there any external factors that help you creatively?
The collective stupidity of the masses is an endless source of inspiration. Watching middle class idiots reading the Daily Mail in cafe’s and discussing it’s casual homophobia and racism as if it is informed fact – that never fails to bring on a song.

How do you look at reinventing yourself or reflect progression in your work?
I don’t! I’m sure my music is getting darker, but that’s just because my boyfriend bought me a synth last Christmas. If he didn’t I’m sure i’d sound exactly the same as I did 2 years ago.


What are the most important themes and elements that feed into your creativity?
Feisty and sarcastic queer politics and feminist solidarity run through most things I write, although at the moment mindless consumerism is a lyrical theme. I wrote a song yesterday which is basically an advertisement for Tesco. They’re everywhere else, so I thought they might as well make it into my setlist too.

Can you describe the creative process behind the work and how it works for you?
Sitting in the bedroom alone, smoking alot of cigarettes and trying to write a line about something/someone that makes me laugh, that’s the general pattern. I write everything alone and perform everything alone, I’m quite a private person so it works for me to do it privately.


How would you like yourself or your work to be known?
I’m not too bothered about how other people see it. If I don’t write and perform regularly I go bonkers and that’s why I do it. As long as some people turn up to gigs and some of those get what I’m doing, no matter how small the audience, I don’t think too much about how I’m thought of.


Any single wish
For cats to take over the world. Miaow!

Thank You Ste and best wishes from GFEST 2011 team.

For more information on GFEST – Gaywise FESTival 2011 please contact: Subodh Rathod, Wise Thoughts / GFEST – Gaywise FESTival
Tel: 020 8889 9555
info@wisethoughts.org
www.wisethoughts.org / www.gaywisefestival.org.uk
———————–
GFEST web networks: http://www.wisethoughts.org http://www.gaywisefestival.org.uk http://www.facebook.com/niranjan.kamatkar http://www.gaywisefestival.blogspot.com/ http://twitter.com/gfest http://gaywisefestival.wordpress.com/ http://www.yoursemotionally.com/ http://www.myspace.com/interviewwithapolitician http://www.flickr.com/photos/gfest/ http://www.youtube.com/user/wisethoughts http://uk.linkedin.com/in/niranjankamatkar http://www.myspace.com/gaywisefestival

Artist behind ‘I Am NOT An Abomination’ Wishes For Peace on Earth

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Seed Newsvine
Paul Chisholm is one of the selected GFEST 2011 artists. He is to showcase art work ‘I Am Not An Abomination’ at GFEST – Gaywise FESTival 2011 visual arts exhibition. GFEST 2011 Visual Arts Exhibition will take place at Dreamspace Gallery , 1-3 Dufferin Street, London, EC1Y 8NA (press buzzer to enter) during Mon 7 Nov to Sat 19 Nov 9am to 5:30pm, Sat: 10am to 5pm (Sunday Closed) ENTRY FREE

We interviewed Paul to find more about himself & his practice.

I am NOT an abomination badges - endless supply

How do you see your own art or artwork?
Life for humans is far from perfect one may say we are living in Hell and are far from the pure and perfect world some would like us to believe we are living… 
I see my art work as a reflection on the unease, misunderstanding, human emotion and life’s un- ending cycles of enlightenment and regression that faces society.  

How would you describe your own practice?
My sculptures are at first glance playful and childlike but with further investigation each work has serious undertones of a world struggling to deal with its own conflicts and contradictions.

 

Paul Chisholm

Are there any external factors that help you creatively?
No man is an island or so the saying goes, no emotion is new, external factors are the magic and ephemeral nature of life its self. How can one not be both in awe and just a little scared by the World in which we live? 


How do you look at reinventing yourself or reflect progression in your work?
Reflection and reinvention are a continual cycle of creation, contemplation, procrastination and critical thinking and through these reflections my work develops into a deeper understanding of how my Art can communicate its message. 

What are the most important themes and elements that feed into your creativity?
My sexuality has of late feed deeply into my practice my work deals with Stigma, prejudice, sexuality and Living with HIV in a post 80’s /90’s crisis. However my work still holds a strong sense of whimsicality. Art should be thought provoking and challenging juxtaposed with humor, after all humor is one of the most powerful tools and Artists has to engage his the viewer. 

Can you describe the creative process behind the work and how it works for you?
The creative process is a complex web of connections, which evolve with time, and at its boiling point the concepts become reality through a variety of channels. It works for me through a sprinkle of chance, a dash of ingenuity and a whole lot of passion.  

How would you like yourself or your work to be known?
I would like my work to be known as a catalyst for change even if that change only occurs in a single person I’ve done a good job! 

Any single wish?
Peace on Earth 

Many thanks Paul and best wishes from GFEST team.
For more information on GFEST – Gaywise FESTival 2011 please contact: Subodh Rathod, Wise Thoughts / GFEST – Gaywise FESTival
Tel: 020 8889 9555
info@wisethoughts.org
www.wisethoughts.org / www.gaywisefestival.org.uk
———————–
GFEST web networks: http://www.wisethoughts.org http://www.gaywisefestival.org.uk http://www.facebook.com/niranjan.kamatkar http://www.gaywisefestival.blogspot.com/ http://twitter.com/gfest http://gaywisefestival.wordpress.com/ http://www.yoursemotionally.com/ http://www.myspace.com/interviewwithapolitician http://www.flickr.com/photos/gfest/ http://www.youtube.com/user/wisethoughts http://uk.linkedin.com/in/niranjankamatkar http://www.myspace.com/gaywisefestival