Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival to Run Oct. 2-10

The Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (TIGLFF) is thrilled to announce the lineup of films for the 26th annual celebration of the year's best LGBTQ films from around the world. The program of nearly 90 narrative features, documentaries and shorts runs October 2-10, 2015. This year, the festival is even more accessible to the entire Tampa Bay area, as films will be playing in 11 venues in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties, including The Palladium Theatre, Freefall Theater, Sundial Muvico, Studio Movie Grill, Villagio Cinemas and the Museum of Fine Arts. According to the festival committee, this year's line-up is the best in years, featuring well-known stars and breakout performances. New films by world renowned directors, extraordinary women's features and riveting documentaries highlight the schedule. The beautiful Palladium Theater will be the opening night host on October 2 at 8 PM with a free screening of Kiss Me, Kill Me starring Van Hansis and Gale Harold. On Saturday, October 3, Lea DeLaria (Big Boo of Orange Is the New Black) will be at the Palladium for one show only starting at 6 PM. Not only is she an award-winning actor, comic, writer and in-your-face activist, DeLaria has performed her blend of jazz and soul at some of the most prestigious performance venues in the world.  Some events/films are free, and the entire festival is free for those under 18 and during age appropriate films. Some of the festival's featured events include an opening night film and after-party at the Palladium Cabaret with Casper Andreas and others; a free screening of the Susan Sarandon-produced Deep Run at the Museum of Fine Art in St. Petersburg on Saturday, October 3 at 11 AM; an outdoor screening of The Wiz at the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum on Thursday, October 8 at 8 PM; a beachside party/rooftop shorts party at the Zamora Hotel on Friday, October 9 at 10:30 PM; and a free screening and panel discussion of Reel in the Closet, featuring queer history archives and personal photos and home movies, at Catherine Hickman Hall on Saturday, October 10 at Noon. Centerpiece screenings will include the drama Summer Of Sangaile and the documentary From This Day Forward. In all, the festival will feature 87 films, 35 features and 52 shorts from over 25 countries. For ticket information, venues and film schedule, click here.