GUEST POST: Brian Whisenant, LGBTQ Programmer for Oxford Film Festival, Talks About Film Festival Life and the Fest’s 19th Year
One of the greatest gifts from becoming the lead programmer for Oxford Film Festival this year was getting to know Brian Whisenant, so when he said he was going to write about the films he chose, I asked if we could create a bridge to his website and call it a guest post.
Reading this piece made me a little emotional. When I started Women Texas Film Festival, my heart was in the LGBTQ programming. When I moved over to OXFF, much of the reason I said yes was that Melanie Addington, with Brian, created a history of memorable LGBTQ film curation.
Every minute working with Brian was a delight. His excitement for the filmmakers, their films, and the LGBTQ community is a reminder of why we do film festivals. The power of film is not just about representation. It is, in many ways, the closest we can come to understanding experiences far from our own while also finding out that we are not alone. My favorite moment in a festival is when I hear someone say “I finally got to see me on screen.” I know, thanks to Brian’s programming, many people will walk out of theaters saying exactly that.
So please hit this link and check out the amazing films at Oxford Film Festival this week! And the last word here goes to Brian from the article: “…[T]o the LGBTQ community of Oxford and beyond, I hope that I might have had a small part in helping you feel seen. Cinema absolutely has the power to do that.”
