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Launch Pad: The Future Of Cinema and Sexuality
This year's theme reflects not only the ongoing mission of our organization to provide a place of origin (Launch Pad) and initial exposure for makers, but also our excitement about premiering the work of many makers whose careers will blast-off after our Festival. MIX is not only launching filmmakers, but film festivals into the future. We are re-examining how a festival functions as an "event" for filmmakers and not just a marketing tool or a community "film series" (which doesn't focus on innovative curation or providing the best exposure for filmmakers). Our focus is also on programming that challenges conventional readings of the work, and to avoid stereotypical interpretations of the works and their possible "queer" meanings. To give it some added fuel, we restructured our programming process. This year, for the first time, we added a Screening Committee to work with the Programming Committee in reviewing the abundance of independent submissions. We are very grateful to all of our committee members for their generosity and dedication. In the mid-'90s, MIX responded to the increase in feature film production by spotlighting the work of film and video makers working in the short format. As the visibility (and viability) of short film has increased via web-based distribution, many of the makers MIX has championed have flourished. In keeping with our mission to be the leading venue for the innovative gay and lesbian cinema, we are pleased to inaugurate the Innovations Feature Series, highlighting cutting-edge feature length work by MIX alumni. These features will challenge your notions of what "gay and lesbian" films can look like and address. Along with the newly established MIX Innovators Award (presented in the spring) and new committee structure, this series marks a new phase in programming and presentation for MIX. The MIX Festival, with it's long history of a diverse view of the impact of sexuality on our culture, is initiating change not only in queer media making and presentation, but also in queer sexuality. At MIX we are promoting the concept that there is a direct relationship between the future of cinema and the future of sexuality. The practice of translating forbidden pleasures into new realms of experience has been a dominant theme in the arts. The latest advances in digital technology are breaking down images into binary code while sexuality is being broken down into genetic codes. We would like to examine the implied notions behind a culture in which humans are fabricated genetically and films are projected digitally, to find what impact it will have on queer sexual identity. Audiences will witness the future of sex and cinema in our digital media side-bar series ACCESS. MIX 2000's programming of experimental moving images addresses the hazardous realities and relentless erotic visual energies being released as we emerge into a twenty-first century existence.
Rajendra Roy Anie
S8 Stanley As MIX launches into its 14th edition, it is important to reflect on how much the festival has developed in the past five years. This exciting growth would not be possible without the generous and strategic support of our sponsors. MIX has been fortunate to work with sponsors who understand MIX's vital role as not only the longest running lesbian and gay film festival in New York City but also as a nexus of queer artistic innovation. Together, they have provided the support MIX needs to maintain our artistic integrity. I would like to acklowedge the specific dedication of several sponsors this year. The support and guidance from Sivan Schlecter and Samuel Morales at The Advocate over the past four years has been vital to MIX's growth. Mike Gilberto at KBA deserves a huge thank you for his crucial support over the past three years. Special thanks also goes to Jenni Olson at Popcornq.com and Paul Schindler at LGNY for their community support.
Jonathon Aubry
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