In the Press

West County Film Fest to Feature Great Queer Films and More
GaySonoma.com - October 25, 2007
Written By: Gary Carnivale

The West County Film Society will offer two days of independent features, documentaries, and shorts, some of which were produced locally. The West County Film Festival happens Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28 at the Sebastopol Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St. in Sebastopol. Selections will be screened on four of the venues upstairs screens.

The categories include: American Indies; World Cinema; Documentary Features; Narrative Shorts Program; Animated Shorts Program; Documentary Shorts Program; Student Shorts Program; and 3-D Shorts Program. Many features are paired with a short film. The various shorts programs include at least three different films.

The West County Film Society's mission is to bring independent film and media art to Sonoma County. Through monthly screenings, discussion panels, guest lecturers and a yearly independent film festival they will teach both a technical appreciation for filmmaking, as well as a discerning knowledge of history, theory and aesthetics. Attendees will leave with not just a respect for filmmaking, but with an understanding of how film both reflects and inspires our daily lives.

A weekend pass for all the films is $125; $100 for students and seniors. Individual films and programs are $10; $8 for students and seniors. Tickets and passes are now available online at www.westcountyfilmsociety.org.

On Saturday night, the West County Film Society will be hosting a Gala Party at the Sebastopol Brewing Company. The event is being sponsored by the pub and RedRum of Petaluma, and will begin at 9PM. Festival patrons and filmmakers will have access to "happy hour" prices all night on beer and free finger food, including chicken satay, Mediterranean pita pizzas and vegetable crudite. They will also be serving a special RedRum Festival Cocktail free of charge to weekend passholders, filmmakers and sponsors. The gala will begin at 9PM and run 'til they turn the lights out on us! So come out and enjoy good music, drinks, company and conversation.

The Management Team includes: Sonya Yonash, Executive Director; Liz Riederer, Co-Director; Tiffany Naiman, Program Director; Liz Faolain, Media Liaison; and Kerry Connors, Venue Manager. The Board of Directors consists of: Rich Yonash, President; Ed Davis, Vice President; Carol Frick, Treasurer; and Patrick Fanning, Secretary. Film Industry Advisors include: David Paterson; Erin Anderson; Harry Cheney; Larry Greenberg; Patricia Meyer; and Steve Anderson.

The West County Film Festival's queer highlights include:

Full Grown Men, a film by director David Munro which stars openly gay actor Alan Cummings and gay icon Debbie Harry. Featuring an amazing cast including Matt McGrath, Judah Friedlander, Amy Sedaris, Joie Lee and many others, Full Grown Men is the beautiful, funny and sad story of Alby Cutrera, a hopelessly adolescent man whose wife kicks him out with an ultimatum: "Don't come back 'til you grow up!" Rather than do some much-needed soul searching, however, Alby goes looking for his childhood best friend to take a road trip to the one place on earth he knows will make no adult demands: Diggityland. His friend Elias has grown up, however, and he remembers a less rosey version of their childhood. Namely, one full of taunts and humiliation as Alby's fall guy. Full Grown Men had its premiere at the Tribecca Film Festival and New York Magazine called it "a lovely, bewitching film with a lot on its mind." A film not to be missed. The film will be screened Saturday at 5:30PM and Sunday at Noon.

Freeheld by director Cynthia Wade was the winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Freeheld is an amazing and poignant film documenting one woman's struggle for justice. Lieutenant Laurel Hester is dying of cancer, and all she wants to do is leave her pension benefits to her life partner, Stacie, so Stacie can afford to keep their home. Laurel is told no, as they are not husband and wife. After spending a lifetime fighting for justice for other people, Laurel - a veteran New Jersey detective - launches a final battle for justice. Knuckle-biting and dramatic, Freeheld chronicles a dying policewoman's bitter fight to provide for the love of her life. The film will be screened as part of the Documantary Shorts Program on Saturday at 12:30PM and Sunday at 5:30PM.

Between screenings, pop into the Fat Cat VIP Lounge, located in the West stairwell of Sebastopol Cinemas, for some great eats. The lounge will be open from 1PM to 8PM both Saturday and Sunday of the film festival, and will be available to weekend passholders, filmmakers and sponsors.

Fat Cat Culinary will be serving delectable West County "snack bar" themed hors d'oeuvres between films for the late-afternoon and evening screenings. Come on by, take a break and get a nibble in the VIP Lounge's relaxed atmosphere.

The menu includes: "Popcorn" Ceviche - Lime Marinated Fish and Shrimp with Heirloom Popcorn; Satay Chicken "Peanut Butter Cups" - Chicken with Spicy Peanut Satay Sauce in Lettuce Cups; Not Yo' Regular Movie "Nachos" - Blue Corn Tortilla Chips, Redwood Hill Goat Cheddar and Chipotle Salsa; and West County Movie "Dogs" - Pacific Market Sausage on Artisan Baguette with Fig Mostarda.

Balletto Vineyards will be on hand serving tastings of some of their most tantalizing wines. Come relax on a lounge, enjoy a nip, and let Judy tell you about this family-owned winery and the incredible flavors coming out of their small-production vineyard. Get recipe ideas or join their wine-of-the-month club!

Wines being served: '05 Zinfandel; '06 Gewurztraminer; '06 Pinot Gris; '06 Pinot Noir; and '05 Chardonnay.

Delectable pastries and 100% organic, shade-grown, fair trade coffee by Taylor Maid Farms will also be available all day.