PRISM 34
AGLIFF’S ANNUAL LGBTQ+ FILM FESTIVAL
Austin, TX • August 26 - September 6, 2021
aGLIFF ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO IN-PERSON EVENTS AND SCREENINGS FOR PRISM 34
Austin’s oldest film festival, aGLIFF (All Genders, Lifestyles, and Identities Film Festival) announces the official program selections for PRISM 34 running August 26 – September 6, 2021 in hybrid form, both in-person and online.
A statement from aGLIFF Artistic Director Bears Rebecca Fonté and Interim Board President Todd Hogan-Sanchez:
Our team has been monitoring the evolving circumstances surrounding rising COVID-19 cases over the past couple of weeks. We have spoken with our venues, our sponsors, and some of our members and are making some changes to this year’s PRISM 34 Film Festival as a precaution to keep our community safe.
To better manage the festival, keeping health and safety top of mind, we are making some adjustments to streamline in-person screenings to one location with the exception of our closing night outdoor drive-in. This will enable us to better manage capacity and limit large gatherings. What does this mean? It means the festival is still happening – we just have some new ways and options to attend!
Fortunately, we decided early in this process to remain committed to a strong virtual program for this year’s festival. You can expect all the same excitement and connection we delivered last year – including virtual events like DJ Mel’s Living Room Dance Party, The Big Queer Quiz Thing, aGLIFF’s Virtual Happy Hour with Dixie Longate, and others. Plus, almost our entire program of over 90 films playing this year’s festival will be available to badge holders and ticket buyers anywhere in the United States.
Oh! And we’re still planning an outrageous time for our closing weekend Drive-In & Drag event featuring a screening of Sh*t & Champagne including a live talkback with D’Arcy Drollinger and a grand drag show finale hosted by Austin drag icon Nadine Hughes at Pioneer Farms on Sunday, September 5 at 6:00 pm.
We are all heartbroken that we’ve had to alter our plans for a grand in-person festival experience this year. But we remain committed to making these remarkable films and events available to our entire community, at home or at the theatre. We humbly ask for your continued support of the festival and organization during these trying times. You can help us ensure that LGBTQ+ stories continue to be told on film by donating now at agliff.org/donate.
The Opening Night screening of the North American premiere of Blitzed: The 80s Blitz Kids Story and Queer Black Voices screenings will now take place at the Galaxy Theatres Austin and will also be added to the virtual lineup along with additional films including Centerpiece filmBoulevard! A Hollywood Story. Legacy Honoree Madeleine Olnek’s 2011 feature Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same willmove to a virtual screening only with a live Q&A.
Selected films originally offered as in-person only may also now be available for virtual screenings. Please check a list of films available along with the full schedule at agliff.org.
PRISM 34 Opening Night Film - BLITZED: The 80s Blitz Kids Story | August 26, 2021 at The Galaxy Theatre in Austin, Texas
Directed by Bruce Ashley and Michael Donald with music by Rusty Egan, BLITZED tells the untold story of a cultural revolution, spawned from a grimy West End club, its lavish trendsetters and a protoDJ who cultivated the sound of the New Romantic Movement (and paid the price for it) and how he and key arbiters influenced and seeded generations of artists, synth poppers and fashionistas with the sound, style, and sexuality of the 80s. (more about BLITZED)
JOIN US & GUARANTEE YOUR SEAT AT OPENING NIGHT!
Becoming an aGLIFF member for as low as $25/month will guarantee your seat at opening night and give you the BEST access to PRISM 34. Festival badges will give you the next best thing for $95 now until July 31st.
aGLIFF ANNOUNCES THE CENTERPIECE AND FIRST FIVE FILMS FOR PRISM 34
Madeleine Olnek named aGLIFF 2021 Legacy Honoree and America’s favorite Tupperware lady Dixie Longate hosts a virtual Happy Hour
Boulevard! A Hollywood Story will make a Southwest Premiere as the Centerpiece Film for PRISM 34. Written and directed by aGLIFF alumni Jeffrey Schwarz (Tab Hunter Confidential, I Am Divine), Boulevard! looks into the strange but true story of Gloria Swanson and the FIRST Musical version of Sunset Boulevard.
“I cannot wait to screen Boulevard! A Hollywood Story at this year's PRISM 34 and look forward to sharing this strange but true story with Austin's movie lovers. If you're into classic Hollywood, bigger-than-life screen divas, Broadway musicals, or 1950s gay romance - then this is the movie for you!” said Boulevard! director Jeffrey Schwarz, “Thank you aGLIFF for getting Gloria Swanson back up on the big screen where she belongs.”
Honoring the work of past aGLIFF filmmakers, this year’s Legacy Honoree will be director Madeleine Olnek. To celebrate her work, Olnek’s 2011 feature Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same will screen this year at PRISM 34. Additional films announced at this time are Invisible, Beyto, Leading Ladies, and Queerdom and are all Southwest Premieres.
Austin’s oldest film festival and premiere LGBTQ+ film fest, aGLIFF announces PRISM 34 will take place August 26–September 6, 2021 virtually and in-person. The Board of Directors and new Artistic Director Bears Rebecca Fonté have decided to move forward in planning the 34th annual event as a hybrid festival for 2021, with both in-person screenings and events and virtual offerings. Opening night, closing night, and several screenings each of two weekends will be in-person at various venues all over Austin.
This year the festival will open the North American Premiere of “BLITZED: The 80s Blitz Kids Story” at The Galaxy Theatre in Austin on August 26, 2021.
aGLIFF Memberships are available and offer priority access to PRISM 34. Members have the capability to reserve tickets before general on sale, priority seating to in person events, and additional perks like admission to “Queer Spectrum,” aGLIFF’s monthly community screening series, and other member’s only exclusives and special events throughout the year.
Remember: Members will get first access to tickets, Badge holders will get priority access and General admission tickets will not be available until August 19.
attend the fest
agliff MEMBERSHIP
aGLIFF is encouraging fans to consider membership to support the organization’s year-round programming. Memberships include festival badges and an array of other perks depending on the level and range in price from $300 to $2500 and can be paid up front or in monthly installments.
Members will have first access to reserving tickets for individual films and events upon purchase.
festival badges
Early bird festival badges are available through the end of July for just $95; regular price badges available at $125 beginning August 1. Student/Educator Badges are available for $50. Contact Todd Hogan-Sanchez at todd.hogan@agliff.org first for access code. All badges include a PRISM 34 commemorative t-shirt and cover access to all virtual festival content for one household and access to free tickets to all in-person events as available, one ticket per badge. BUT REMEMBER, memberships get the best access (and first access to pull tickets).
Single tickets will be $12, plus applicable service fees and will be available one week before the festival.
Purchase your badge below!