Latest news with #SanFranciscoInternationalLGBTQ+FilmFestival
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Trump Administration's Termination Of Arts Grants Hammers Film Festivals Nationwide: 'We're Sounding The Alarm Bell'
The nonprofit behind the prestigious True/False documentary festival in Columbia, MO got its notice by email last Friday night: your National Endowment for the Arts grant has been terminated. Hours after President Trump announced his intention to eliminate the NEA, grant recipients began receiving word that their funding was being yanked: dance programs, literary festivals, regional theater groups, youth writing workshops, rural arts initiatives, music education programs, museums across the 50 states. Film festivals nationwide, like True/False, are taking a direct hit. More from Deadline Trump Budget Calls For Elimination Of National Endowment For The Arts Documentary Filmmakers Reeling After Trump Administration Kills Humanities Grants 'In Furtherance Of The President's Agenda' Sundance Sets Directors, Screenwriters & Native Lab Fellows For 2025 'We were already in a little bit of a tight situation' budget-wise, says Andrea Luque Káram, executive director of Ragtag Film Society, which puts on True/False. Their grant was for $30,000. 'It's just forcing us to really pivot… There's so many organizations that are impacted by this.' Another case in point: CIFF — the Camden International Film Festival in Maine — a program of the nonprofit Points North Institute. It had been approved for a $45,000 NEA grant. 'We got the termination notice on Friday night,' says Sean Flynn, artistic director and co-founder of Points North Institute. 'Basically [it said], your grant is no longer aligned with the priorities of the administration.' Frameline – the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival – also got word from the NEA last Friday that it was rescinding a $20,000 grant for Fiscal Year 2025. 'The concerted effort to defund identity-centered arts institutions, including LGBTQ+ organizations like Frameline, is nothing short of an attempt to censor our art, control our history, and erase our lived experiences,' Allegra Madsen, Frameline's executive director, said in a statement provided to Deadline. 'We remain committed to uplifting queer and trans artists and their stories. More than ever, our whole community needs to show up and support each other.' True/False, CIFF, and Frameline are speaking out, but a climate of fear is prompting other festivals that received NEA grants to lay low. The Sundance Institute did not respond to inquiries from Deadline about the status of its most recent NEA grant; it has received more than $3.5 million in NEA funding going back to 1998, including $100,000 in Fiscal Year 2024 'to support artistic and professional development resources and incubator labs for independent nonfiction filmmakers.' Similarly, Slamdance declined comment. It received a $30,000 grant in FY 2024 for 'a curated film program featuring creators with visible and non-visible disabilities.' 'I will say on behalf of a lot of film festivals, it's a really scary time,' comments Barbara Twist, executive director of the Film Festival Alliance (FFA), a group that advocates for festivals and champions independent cinema. 'Some individual film festivals aren't able to speak up on behalf of themselves. And so, we're sounding the alarm bell and saying, this is something people need to pay attention to.' FFA has been assembling a database of festivals and other exhibitors that lost NEA grants. 'I've got 35 that I've heard so far that have either been terminated or withdrawn,' notes Twist, 'but I believe that over 90 percent of the grants were either terminated or withdrawn.' Twist declined to cite specific festivals that have lost funding other than those that have chosen to make their situation known publicly. Along with Sundance, the status of NEA grants to many institutions remains uncertain, among them the Austin Film Festival, Montclair Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival and Palm Springs International ShortFest, Seattle International Film Festival, Hawaii International Film Festival, and the New Orleans Film Society which puts on the New Orleans Film Festival. The National Endowment for the Arts was founded in 1965, with a mission to foster and sustain 'an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States.' The cancellation emails sent out last Friday said, 'The NEA is updating its grantmaking policy priorities to focus funding on projects that reflect the nation's rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the President.' The new priorities, per the email: 'elevate the Nation's HBCUs [Historically Black Colleges and Universities] and Hispanic Serving Institutions, celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, foster Al competency, empower houses of worship to serve communities, assist with disaster recovery, foster skilled trade jobs…' The notice told current grantees, 'Your project… unfortunately does not align with these priorities.' That justification rings hollow to Luque Káram, head of the nonprofit behind True/False. 'The reason given is also kind of raising eyebrows because I don't think we are outside of that agenda,' she said. 'I think we do very rich artistic work and do a great job of showing so many points of view and cultures through our programming year-round.' Only a few weeks ago, the Trump administration gutted the National Endowment for the Humanities, which supports cultural institutions, universities, museums, and individual documentary filmmakers. And before that, Pres. Trump booted out half the board of trustees of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and had himself named chair. Seeing that writing on the wall, some festivals made sure to spend the money from their current grants before the termination letters went out. But going forward, they may be out of luck. 'With the funding going low again it's really hard sometimes to make a case to even stay open from a numbers perspective — not from our mission perspective,' comments Ragtag's Luque Káram. 'I think we have all the reasons and the commitment and the willingness and the passion to stay open and to continue to live our values through our day-to-day programming.' The NEA grant terminations come as Pres. Trump threatens to impose a 100 percent tariff on movies produced outside the U.S., declaring Hollywood was 'dying a very fast death' because other countries have lured productions abroad through lucrative financial incentives. In a social media post, he called that situation a 'National Security threat.' But it might strike some as contradictory to profess alarm for the wellbeing of the movie business while simultaneously defunding film festivals. 'From my understanding, DOGE showed up and within a week these letters were sent out. So that doesn't seem to me like there's a lot of time put into assessing whether or not a project actually meets the goals or the priorities [of the administration],' says the Film Festival Alliance's Twist. 'It also is clarifying for Americans that the government is exercising this level of ideological control over us. This is art, right? That's the whole point of art. It's interpretive.' The grant cancellation emails gave impacted organizations 7 calendar days to file an appeal (that window closes today). But on Monday, NEA staff reportedly began exiting the endowment, including all 10 directors in charge of overseeing grant categories. 'Now that a lot of the directors of the NEA have stepped down, who's even there to read the appeals?' questions Twist. 'There's no information about how the appeal will be judged. It's simply, 'You may appeal this determination if you believe your project meets a new priority. You email grants@ and provide documentation.' No, 'We'll follow up in 30 days.' Nothing.' The Trump administration's sudden claim to want to 'elevate the Nation's HBCUs' as part of the redefined NEA mission may sound implausible given its open hostility to DEI – diversity, equity and inclusion. 'To me, the withdrawals of funding feel more capricious,' observes Twist. 'This is 'as prioritized by the president.' It aligns with the general vision that we're getting out of the White House, which is that a handful of people have a really specific idea of what they think America should look like, and they are using all the tools of power at hand to make it so.' Best of Deadline All The Songs In Netflix's 'Forever': From Tyler The Creator To SZA 'Poker Face' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Arrive On Peacock? The Fox News To White House Pipeline: TV Personalities Who Joined The Trump Administration
San Francisco Chronicle
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
How Frameline is asking ‘allies to show up' for trans and nonbinary movie fans
Facing adversity, Frameline is going on the offensive. Amid anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and drastic cuts to arts funding in just the first 100 days of the second Trump administration, the organizer of the nation's oldest and largest queer film festival is forging new partnerships and innovating at the grass roots level. One standout is a unique pay-it-forward campaign to provide free tickets to transgender and nonbinary attendees to a documentary that's ripped from today's headlines. 'We're asking our audience and allies to show up and take real, tangible action,' said Frameline Executive Director Allegra Madsen. 'With resources and support for LGBTQ+ people drying up, queer people have to show up for each other and, in particular, trans folks. When I think of using the past as a roadmap for navigating the challenges ahead, it's clear that community care, in all its forms, is the answer.' Sam Feder's documentary 'Heightened Scrutiny,' which focuses on American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Chase Strangio — the first openly trans person to argue before the Supreme Court, is scheduled to make its California premiere on June 20 at the American Conservatory Theater's 1,000-seat Toni Rembe Theater, Frameline told the Chronicle on Wednesday, April 30. It is the First Friday screening at the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, considered almost a second opening night film, followed by the First Friday party at Charmaine's, the Proper Hotel's rooftop bar on Market Street. Frameline patrons who buy a ticket for 'Heightened Scrutiny' and/or the party to purchase tickets on behalf of trans or nonbinary attendees. Tickets are available now at A recipient of Frameline's 2025 Completion Fund Grant, 'Heightened Scrutiny' focuses on Strangio's high-stakes legal battle to overturn Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The Supreme Court's decision on the case, United States v. Skrmetti, is expected to be handed down during the June 18-28 festival. 'As a community, we are bearing witness,' Frameline said in a statement. 'No matter the results, we need to be in a room together. Feder's timely documentary not only provides an opportunity to gather in the same space, it also gives us a moment to show up for each other.' Feder shared he was inspired to make films by attending Frameline in the early 2000s. 'I made my first feature in 2006, and since then my films have been indebted to the bold, sometimes risky, choices and craft that I witnessed at the festival,' Feder said. 'Our goal is to use 'Heightened Scrutiny' in solidarity with, and for coalition building among, all movements of oppressed peoples. Our team is so grateful for Frameline's support at a time when LGBTQ+ rights are so viciously under attack.' This season, Frameline is also partnering with the California Film Institute to preview a selection of five films at the Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael from June 13-15, the weekend before the festival begins. Titles include Elena Oxman's San Francisco-filmed 'Outerlands,' which just closed the 68th San Francisco International Film Festival on Sunday, April 27. Olivia Colman and John Lithgow, as both festivals' opening night film. The full festival lineup will be announced at a later date.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Frameline To Host California Premiere Of ‘Heightened Scrutiny' As Trump Administration Sharpens Assault On Trans Rights
President Trump's first 100 days in office have been marked by a concerted effort to stigmatize trans people and deny them rights. A week after re-entering the White House he issued an executive order banning transgendered people from enlisting or serving in the U.S. military (last month, a federal judge blocked that order, declaring it 'soaked in animus'). In January, Trump also signed an executive order 'directing federal agencies to withhold funds from medical providers and institutions that provide gender-affirming medical treatments for people under 19,' according to the ACLU, which is suing to overturn that directive. On his very first day back in the Oval, Trump signed an executive order that has prompted the State Department to stop issuing passports with accurate sex designations for transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people. The ACLU is suing to overturn that directive as well. More from Deadline Director Sam Feder's 'Heightened Scrutiny' Follows Supreme Court Battle For Trans Rights Led By History-Making Chase Strangio — Sundance Studio At Sundance, Ayo Edebiri, Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Russell Tovey & More Talk Need For LGBTQ Representation Amid Trump 2.0: 'We Have To Stay Visible' Eriq La Salle To Direct First Episode Of CBS' 'FBI' Offshoot Series 'CIA' Starring Tom Ellis For these reasons and more, the new documentary Heightened Scrutiny arrives at a critical moment. Today, Frameline – the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival – announced it will host the California premiere of Sam Feder's film at the 49th edition of the festival. The documentary, which centers on ACLU civil rights lawyer Chase Strangio's legal battle against anti-trans laws, features appearances from Oscar-nominated actor and activist Elliot Page; drag queen, artist, and activist Miss Peppermint; journalist and editor Phillip Picardi; and Emmy winner and activist Laverne Cox (who also serves as executive producer). 'Heightened Scrutiny also explores how uninformed media narratives impact the public's understanding of trans rights,' according to a release. The premiere will take place June 20, the first Friday of Frameline49. The festival runs June 18-28, a highlight of Pride Month. 'I first went to Frameline in the early 2000s and was immediately inspired to be a filmmaker. With this catalyst, I made my first feature in 2006, and since then my films have been indebted to the bold, sometimes risky, choices and craft that I witnessed at the festival,' Feder said in a statement. 'Our goal is to use Heightened Scrutiny in solidarity with, and for coalition building among, all movements of oppressed peoples. Our team is so grateful for Frameline's support at a time when LGBTQ+ rights are so viciously under attack.' Frameline49 announced a unique Pay-It-Forward initiative in conjunction with the premiere of Heightened Scrutiny. 'Members of the queer community and allies will be able to purchase tickets on behalf of others, ensuring that no trans or nonbinary attendees will have to pay to watch the film or be in community.' 'We're asking our audience and allies to show up and take real, tangible action,' commented Allegra Madsen, Frameline's executive director. 'Paired with the First Friday Party, Heightened Scrutiny really captures the spirit of Frameline49 by centering on both queer resilience and joy. With resources and support for LGBTQ+ people drying up, queer people have to show up for each other and, in particular, trans folks. When I think of using the past as a roadmap for navigating the challenges ahead, it's clear that community care, in all its forms, is the answer.' Last year, Strangio – the heart of the documentary – became the first openly trans person to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. That case — United States v. Skrmetti – centers on the state of Tennessee's ban on transgender medical care for people under the age of 18, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy. Strangio, a staff attorney for the ACLU, argued the law violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. A decision from the conservative-dominated court could be handed down in June. 'The 14th Amendment is one of the Reconstruction amendments,' Strangio told Deadline at the Sundance Film Festival, where Heightened Scrutiny held its world premiere. 'We have the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments that come to the Constitution after the end, the formal end, or the supposed end to chattel slavery. And the purpose of these amendments is to bestow rights on everyone. And you can see increasingly how there are incursions into that. The overturning of Roe v. Wade; we can see within the 24 hours of coming into office, President Trump decides that he's going to end birthright citizenship. That is a bedrock in the text of the 14th Amendment. And this, too, is a question about whether or not equal protection of the law is going to mean equal protection for everyone.' Strangio added, 'If the court says that states can attack trans people, take away our healthcare with really no justification at all, then that is going to come for everyone — the right to contraception, the right to marriage equality.' The documentary – a recipient of Frameline's 2025 Completion Fund Grant — will screen at the American Conservatory Theater's (ACT) Toni Rembe Theater on June 20. The screening will be followed by Frameline49's First Friday Party at Charmaine's (the Proper Hotel's rooftop bar on Market Street). 'This is an up-to-the-minute documentary that's unfolding in real time,' Madsen, Frameline's ED, added. 'Regardless of the outcome of this case, it's important that we have space to be in community with one another — to show that no matter what queer joy is an unstoppable force.' Additional information on Frameline49's screening of Sam Feder's film:DIR Sam Feder 2025 USA 89 min A salient document of our current moment, Disclosure director Sam Feder's Sundance standoutcenters on ACLU attorney Chase Strangio, the first out trans person to argue before the Supreme Court. While Strangio fights a high-stakes legal battle to overturn Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth (United States v. Skrmetti), he and other leading activists, like Laverne Cox and Elliot Page, examine how media bias influences the public's perception of trans rights. Pay-It-Forward + Ticketing Info An actively unfolding case, United States v. Skrmetti's decision will likely be announced during Frameline49. As a community, we are bearing witness. No matter the results, we need to be in a room together. Feder's timely documentary not only provides an opportunity to gather in the same space, it also gives us a moment to show up for each other. When you buy a ticket to the screening of Heightened Scrutiny and/or the First Friday Party, you can participate in our Pay-It-Forward initiative by purchasing tickets for others. Our goal is that no trans or nonbinary person will pay to see the film and be in community. Note: Trans or nonbinary attendees must still reserve a space to see the film by selecting the complimentary ticket option and completing the standard checkout process. 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