You Might Like
Russia cancels its only LGBTI film festival
Russia has abruptly cancelled the country’s only LGBTI film festival, only to replace it with a ‘positive, youth-oriented’ alternative.
Organizers of Moscow Premiere received the news days before the 13th edition of the festival was scheduled to kick off on 2 September, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
‘Due the difficult economic conditions, the culture department of Moscow has to limit the use of budgetary resources in 2015 and cancel funding of several events, including Moscow Premiere,’ a letter from city’s culture committee read.
Funding was diverted to the new Youth Festival of Life Affirming Film.
The move comes two years after the introduction of a gay ‘propaganda’ law, which bans the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality to minors.
Moscow Premiere is a week of free screenings of films not given wide release in the country, such as Russia 88 and Winter Journey, a mockumentary about neo-Nazis and a gay-themed debut feature.
Festival head Vyacheslav Shmyrov said it was too late to save this year’s event and that they would not would not affiliate with the new festival for their ‘self-esteem.’
The post Russia cancels its only LGBTI film festival appeared first on Gay Star News.
Darren Wee
www.gaystarnews.com/article/russia-cancels-its-only-lgbti-film-festival/
You Might Like
