GLAAD To Collaborate At Sundance Film Festival

New York, NY, December 29, 2009 - The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today announced an official relationship with the Sundance Institute for a multi-day programmatic event, cineGLAAD, presented by Bud Light and Abreva, which will take place during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

This is the first year that GLAAD will be an Institute Associate, a category of support populated by organizations with mutually aligned missions that nurture independent vision and thought. At select times during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, GLAAD will host cineGLAAD at the Sundance Film Festival’s Filmmaker Lodge located on the second floor of the Elks Building (550 Main Street) in Park City. Through educational panels and networking opportunities, cineGLAAD will celebrate and elevate films with LGBT content and the voices of filmmakers whose storytelling includes the visibility and inclusion of the LGBT community. A list of panels will be available in coming weeks atwww.glaad.org/cineGLAAD.

“LGBT inclusive films and LGBT filmmakers play important roles in bringing images to our culture that educate people about our lives and the diversity of our community” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “cineGLAAD will work to bring these stories to Americans by amplifying the voices of LGBT filmmakers and films with LGBT images at this integral film industry event.”

cineGLAAD will be part of the LGBT presence at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Recognizing the importance of advocating for LGBT images at this major industry event, GLAAD with the help of volunteers and staff, including the founder of Queer Lounge, Ellen Huang, will organize and host panels addressing LGBT issues in film and produce some of the signature elements of the Queer Lounge, including a guide to festival films in Park City by LGBT filmmakers or that include LGBT content.

cineGLAAD will act as a forum to the public and press, creating awareness of LGBT films and filmmakers and a central meeting place for LGBT and LGBT-inclusive professionals to make lasting professional connections.

cineGLAAD will continue the tradition of producing some of the most talked-about LGBT events at major film festivals; attracting celebrities, emerging artists and leaders in the film community. Previous panels have included Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor (cast, I Love Your Phillip Morris), Christine Vachon (producer, Boys Don’t Cry), Rob Epstein (Oscar-winning director, The Times of Harvey Milk), Lee Daniels and Gabby Sidibe (Director and cast of the acclaimed, Precious: Based on the Novel, Push by Sapphire). 

About GLAAD
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org. 

About Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is the premier showcase for U.S. and international independent film, held each January in and around Park City, Utah. Presenting dramatic and documentary feature-length films from emerging and established artists, innovative short films, filmmaker forums and panels, live music performances from solo acts to film composer events, cutting-edge media installations, and engaging community and student programs, the Festival brings together original storytellers. Supported by the non-profit Sundance Institute, the Festival has introduced global audiences to some of the most ground-breaking films of the past two decades, including sex, lies, and videotape, Maria Full of Grace, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, An Inconvenient Truth, Trouble the Water, and Central Station.

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