The theme of this year’s festival is EXPOSE
as in to lay open to danger, attack, harm,
to expose oneself to the influence of bad companions,
to uncover or bare to the air, cold,
to present to view; exhibit; display,
to make known, disclose, or reveal,
to reveal or unmask,
to hold up to public reprehension or ridicule.
In the spirit of adventure, non-conformity and unconventionality, EXPOSE is a double bill featuring Queer City Cinema Film Festival (20 years this year!) and Performatorium: Festival of Queer Performance - the newer festival favourite with locals and performers alike. Turning the corner together, the two festivals begin a third decade of presenting innovative queer visions and bodies of work to new audiences in Regina and beyond.
Being exposed to new ideas about the other, about one’s self, and about the world in which we all show and tell. Exposing oneself as an artist, identifying in an honest, vulnerable manner.
Exposing oneself to contemporary film and performance that address death, animal ethics, HIV/AIDS, homophobia, gender, race, politics, power and gentrification.
Exposing oneself to nuanced and experimental visuals that create a place of play, fantasy and delight and that remind us that pleasure informs as well and is something we all appreciate standing, sitting or lying in front of from time to time.
Being exposed to physically demanding, ethically questionable, and spiritually and emotionally raw work.
Exposing oneself to what is happening in the world of contemporary queer film and performance - reflecting what is happening in the world at this culturally and socially troubled moment.
Exposing two festivals, here and now, now together, at the same time in the same place, as a new way of doing things and as such, a new way of seeing things too.
Exposed in the sense of brightness, of darkness, being blinded, illuminated, highlights and shadows, enlightened, feeling our way ahead, towards the...
You are welcome to EXPOSE.
Gary Varro
Executive & Artistic Director
Queer City Cinema/Performatorium