The Spirit of Maui Film Festival Embraces LGBTQ Community - Screening LGBTQ Block Friday June, 17, 2016

    MAUI, HI, June 15, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Maui Film Festival is taking place Wednesday, June 15-19. Now in it's 17th year, the Maui Film Festival is one of the top film festivals in the world, attracting a diverse array of filmmakers and fans alike.

The festival features both small, independent titles, as well as larger releases, including the opening night film, Captain Fantastic, starring Viggo Mortensen, which will be screening under the stars at the Celestial Cinema - a magical, outdoor amphitheatre-like setting at the world-renowned Wailea Gold & Emerald golf course. Screenings will also be taking place at the Castle Theatre at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center in Kihei.

Honoree attendees at this year's festival include Bryan Cranston, Viola Davis, Michael B. Jordan, Kelly Rohrback and Wyatt Russell. Cranston and Davis will be receiving Navigator Awards, Jordan is being bestowed with a Rainmaker Award and Rohrback and Russell are each being recognized with a Rising Star award.

Both the Navigator and Rainmaker awards reflect Maui Film Festival's mission statement: "Maui film festival is built upon the belief that great filmmaking is pure alchemy. When filmmakers choose to tell compassionate, life-affirming stories, they can turn darkness into light. It is this belief in the power of creativity to enlighten, as well as entertain, that is the guiding principle that gives the Maui Film Festival its character, its energy and its Soul."

In light of the recent, tragic events in Orlando, Florida, this mission is more profound than ever. An LGBTQ-affirming screening block will be taking place Friday, June 17, 9:30 pm at the Castle Theatre (Maui Arts and Cultural Center), and will include the feature documentary Strike A Pose. Directed by Ester Gould and Reijer Zwaan, Strike A Pose is a poignant account of the behind-the-scenes experience of gay male dancers during Madonna's 1991 Blonde Ambition Tour, "Truth or Dare".

The feature will be preceded by two short films: The Twisted Slipper, directed by Angie Nolan, is about a young barista who must conceal his true self while toiling for his evil stepmother in her coffee shop. From Bee Nest Films, a husband and wife team (Shannon Beeby and Ryan Jonze) hailing from Orlando, Florida, is the short film RSVP, which is an allegory representing hope in the future of religious organizations becoming affirming of the LGBTQ community. From RSVP writer/director, Shannon Beeby:

"I implore faith communities to take a long honest look at themselves and understand their complicity in this climate of hatred. When people of faith pass judgement and declare a whole population of people as "less than", very dangerous seeds are being planted. I think there are many more people of faith who appreciate this than the 'social media comments section' would lead you to believe. It is time for them to speak out against the rhetoric of judgement and usher in a new era when using God to justify feelings of superiority, hatred and bigotry is no longer tolerated."

For a complete list of screenings and special events, visit www.mauifilmfestival.com

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