Faridah Gbadamosi

Co-Founders/Co-Directors Ben McCarthy and Megan Garbayo got it right with OUTstream Film Fest when it came to seeking inclusion with their debut virtual LGBTQIA+ film festival

By John Wildman 6 years ago

To quote McCarthy when the OUTstream Film Fest was first announced, “We have created OUTstream Film Fest to bring people together all across the country, of any sexual identity, to view these films, which we feel will entertain, touch, enlighten, and affect all audiences. Thanks to COVID-19, everyone in the world has received a stark reminder that we are all together and similar in many more ways than we are not. We believe this has the potential to bring people together virtually via this shared event – because art offers a rich opportunity to connect us all.”  He then added, “OUTstream Film Fest could reach people that want to have an understanding about LGBTQIA+ people or appreciation for queer cinema. It’s all about inclusivity. Films are made to tell someone’s unique story and if it’s only being seen by people that have “lived” that story, then it’s not reaching everyone that could legitimately connect with and be touched by that story.”

Lela Meadow-Conner, Film Festival Alliance Executive Director: Teaming with Full Spectrum Features to put together first Film Festival Leadership Lab

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“As the Alliance has quickly grown over the last few years, and serves as North America’s only professional affiliation for those who work within the film festival industry, we realized there was a need to cultivate our industry’s future leadership beyond our regular professional development activities.,” said Lela Meadow-Conner, FFA Executive Director. “We’ve been fortunate to engage with wonderful partners including Full Spectrum Features and Stephen Bárczay Sloan, Founder of the Humane Leadership Institute, to execute the program.”