By Mabel Pais

‘YOUR LOVE,’ queer, non-binary, Canadian-Indian actor/writer/director Sundeep Morrison’s (they/them) four-minute, cinematic love letter to the Queer South Asian elders and their forgotten and unfinished love stories, secures a coveted spot at OUTFEST Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Festival, the largest, most prestigious queer film festival in the world, on Friday, July 21, 2023, as part of its popular shorts programming. For more information, visit outfestla.org.

This follows immediately after the film’s world premiere at Kashish Mumbai Queer Film Festival, the longest-running LGBTQIA+ festival in South Asia, in June (Pride Month), where Morrison was in attendance and was recognized as an emerging Indian filmmaker.

“This feels like the universe conspiring to recognize and reward true love, the kind we see in films, more specifically, our short film,” said Morrison, waving their pride flag high. “I was raised by my maternal grandmother (Biji) and hearing her stories of hope and sacrifice is what inspired me to become a storyteller. Being out and open about your sexuality is a privilege that is not afforded to all. I wanted to share this inter-generational story celebrating queer love, which reinforces the fact that ALL LOVE is timeless.” Watch the trailer vimeo.com/831764119.

Weaving in themes of ageism in the South Asian community, family pressure, and social constructs of what “queer love” should look like, ‘YOUR LOVE’ is especially relevant now because legislation for LGBTQIA+ rights is in limbo and somewhat non-existent in many parts of the world, including India. “Love may be universal, but it is universally under attack when it breaks the binary expectation of society,” said Morrison.

SUNDEEP MORRISON

Learn more about Morrison at sundeepmorrison.com.

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HUMAN FIRST: BACK TO BASICS –  THEME OF NEWARK PRIDE FEST

By Mabel Pais

“HUMAN First: Back to Basics” is the theme of the 18th Annual Newark LGBTQ Pride Festival presented by Newark Pride, Inc. This year, coming to a critical point, the festival is taking place across New Jersey’s largest city, July 10 – 16. Last year’s overturning of Roe v. Wade set a disturbing precedent that put many other constitutional rights and freedoms in jeopardy. Recently, The Supreme Court’s recent decision to grant businesses open to the public the right to deny service to members of a protected class offers yet another devastating blow to the LGBTQ community.

Newark Pride, Inc. President Sharronda Wheeler issued the following statement:

“All throughout our nation, we are seeing legislation being introduced that will once again alienate, oppress, and essentially dehumanize members of the LGBTQIAA+ community. By strengthening the common threads that bind us all together, we will prevail over the forces that seek to divide.”

In line with this year’s theme the organization is calling on all residents, local businesses, non-profits, Civil and Human Rights activists, allies, and LGBTQ resource agencies to stand in solidarity as we head into a week full of informative, empowering, and reflective programs.

Newark Pride, Inc. Founder, June Dowell-Burton, echoed the sentiment stating, “Showing up as our authentic unapologetic selves in spaces, now more than ever, is an act of resistance. We are here and we will not be erased nor censured.”

The City of Newark and the Office of Mayor Ras Baraka hosted the annual Progressive Pride Flag Raising Ceremony on Monday, July 10, 2023 at 6:00 PM inside the Newark City Hall Rotunda (920 Broad St).

The week-long festivities will wrap with the annual Pride Parade that will begin at Lincoln Park, down Broad Street, onward to NJPAC on Sunday, July 16th from 11 AM until 1 PM, right before the park festival at NJPAC Chambers Plaza with featured appearances by CeCe Peniston and DJ Qua.

For more information about Newark Pride Week activities and events, visit linktr.ee/NewarkPrideFestival or email info@newarkpride.org. Learn more about Newark Pride, Inc. @ newarkpride.org.

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REELABILITIES HONORS DISABILITY PRIDE WITH STREAM LAUNCH

By Mabel Pais

The ReelAbilities Film Festival, starting Tuesday, July 11 has launched a pioneering streaming service, showcasing films by and about people with disabilities or “other” abilities.

Honoring Disability Pride Month and the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, ReelAbilities Film Festival is thrilled to announce the highly-anticipated launch of ReelAbilitiesStream.org, a groundbreaking, accessible streaming platform dedicated to films that celebrate and explore the lives and experiences of people with disabilities. This innovative platform will offer a vast collection of films, drawing from the remarkable repertoire showcased at previous editions of the festival.

With its official launch on July 11th, ReelAbilitiesStream.org will become the largest online hub for disability-themed films and ahead of the 33rd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, providing an unparalleled opportunity to appreciate and embrace these powerful stories with full accessibility.

REELABILITIES STREAM

Isaac Zablocki, the Director and Co-Founder of ReelAbilities Film Festival, expressed his enthusiasm for the launch: “Over the past fifteen years, our festival has amassed an incredible collection of films that deserve wider recognition. Unfortunately, many of these exceptional works have not been given the attention they deserve. With ReelAbilitiesStream.org, we are proud to establish the most comprehensive platform, amplifying these voices and providing a well-deserved spotlight for these highly demanded films.”

ReelAbilitiesStream.org will feature an array of over 50 captivating films that encapsulate the diverse experiences within the disability community. Some of the highlighted films available on the platform include Tribeca Film Festival’s award winning ‘Keep the Change,’ a comedy following a program of young adults on the autistic spectrum, and the Hungarian Academy Award nominated ‘Kills on Wheels’ about wheelchair users who team up with a hitman. Also featured in the catalog are celebrated short films, including 4 Quarters of Silence, about a deaf high school football team; and Jmaxx and the Universal Language about an autistic young man who expresses himself through dance.

PRICING

Streaming is available on a pay-per-view model, nominally priced per film. For additional information about ReelAbilities’ new streaming site, visit www.reelabilitiesstream.org. To learn more about ReelAbilities Film Festival, visit www.reelabilities.org.

(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Entertainment, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, Spirituality, and Business)