Line-Up for Annual CineKink Film Festival Announced

NEW YORK—CineKink NYC returns for its 16th annual appearance April 3-7, bringing with it a specially-curated program of films and videos that celebrate and explore a wide diversity of sexuality. Billing itself as "the kinky film festival," the event is presented by CineKink, an organization dedicated to the recognition and encouragement of sex-positive and kink-friendly depictions in film and television. Works featured at CineKink NYC will range from documentary to drama, comedy to experimental, mildly spicy to quite explicit—and everything in between. In addition to screenings, plans for the festival also include a short film competition, presentations, audience choice awards, a fundraising kick-off gala and a concluding "AfterGlow" play party. “It’s stunning how sex-positive filmmaking has evolved in the years we've been presenting the festival,” said Lisa Vandever, co-founder and director of CineKink. “We had such amazing works to choose from this season, from the countless alumni filmmakers we’ve showcased over the years, and from many newcomers. It’s a pleasure to offer such a rich and diverse festival line-up.” The CineKink NYC festivities commence Wednesday, April 3, at 8 PM, with a fundraising kick-off extravaganza to be held at M1-5 Lounge (52 Walker Street, NYC). The festival then moves to Anthology Film Archives (32 Second Avenue, NYC) from Thursday, April 4, through Saturday, April 6, with several different film programs scheduled for each day. A filmmaking workshop, an awards celebration and an AfterGlow play party at Bowery Bliss complete the festival's run on Sunday, April 7. The schedule is as follows:   Wednesday, April 3 The CineKink festivities get going with the annual CineKink Kick-Off Gala, taking place at 8 p.m., a pansexual celebration that includes burlesque performances, sexy “sensation stations” for the kink-curious, a raffle of sex-positive swag, and some decadent cinematic morsels.   Thursday, April 4 First up, at 7 p.m. the documentary The Artist & The Pervert takes an intimate look at the complicated relationship between a world-renowned composer and his “slave” wife. Then, at 9:20 p.m., a collection of lusty shorts, Hotels & Hook-Ups, explores libidinous pursuit, from a back-alley tumble to a high-thread count rendezvous.   Friday, April 5 At 7 p.m., a set of masterful shorts, In The Dark, cruises through dungeons, parks and porn booths, exploring a bit of Leather pride and history along the way. At 9:20 p.m., a sexy round-up of queer and feminist works, Taking Flight, travels to such magical places as a Brooklyn flat, a Berlin dungeon, a Nordic forest and the very gates of Heaven.    Saturday, April 6 Kicking off at 1 p.m., thee shorts program Work It! profiles the passion—and work—that goes into making sex-positivity one’s mission and business. At 3 p.m., a love letter to the movies, the documentary Sickies Making Films, is an engaging, historical look at society’s urge to censor films. At 5 p.m., CineKink's annual showcase Bring It! features a dazzling array of talent from today’s adult cinema, each representing a wide range of genres and visual styles, all stepping up with a hot sampling of their recent endeavors. At 7:45 p.m., the romantic comedy Two In The Bush: A Love Story, a wise and witty look at the world of bisexuality and polyamory, asks us to consider what risks are worth taking for love. And at 10 p.m., Sweet Spot is a kinky collection of shorts that poke and play with the dynamics of scratching just that very particular itch.   Sunday, April 7 For those inspired to take on creating their own erotic cinema, an afternoon workshop, From Fantasy to Film: Design Your Own Porn Film, with CineKink alumni filmmaker and special guest Jennifer Lyon Bell will take place 2-5 p.m. CineKink NYC concludes the evening at 7 p.m. with the CineKink Awards Celebration, including presentation of the annual festival awards, to be followed at 9 p.m. by the CineKink AfterGlow Praty, one last chance to mingle with like-minded festival-goers and enjoy a few additional screenings, this time in a relaxed, play-party setting. The location for all Sunday events is Bowery Bliss, a club located on the Lower East Side; exact address will be provided upon advance RSVP/purchase. For more information on CineKink, visit CineKink.com. The complete schedule, including screenings, can be found at CineKink.com/programs-and-events/nyc/cinekink-nyc-2019. Tickets to CineKink NYC screenings are $14; $11/students & seniors; $10/CineKink members. Admission for parties and workshops varies. A limited number of CineKink NYC All-Access Passes, covering admission to all screenings and parties, are available for $105; $85 for students/seniors; $75 for CineKink members. Tickets and passes may be purchased via Elevent at GoElevent.com/CineKink/e/Search.