The 6th Annual San Francisco Black LGBT Film Festival, February 16, 2007

The 6th Annual San Francisco Black LGBT Film Festival, February 16-18, 2007, announced by the Black Coalition on AIDS (BCA)

"The San Francisco Black LGBT Film Festival gives voice to [the] black LGBT community." - San Francisco Chronicle, 2004

San Francisco, CA, January 23, 2007 - The 6th Annual San Francisco Black LGBT Film Festival starts Friday, February 16th and continues through Sunday, February 18, 2007 [www.bcoa.org or www.myspace.com/sffestival]. The film festival is a community project of the Black Coalition on AIDS, which is dedicated to building a healthy Black Community for all.

This year’s festival includes a three-day multi-layered event that begins with an Opening Night Gala at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on Friday, February 16th at 7:30 p.m. The Gala’s host is 2007’s Mr. Gay San Francisco, John Weber (www.myspace.com/mrgaysanfrancisco) and Hostess, Miss Gay San Francisco, Mercedez Munro (www.myspace.com/mercedezmunro). The rhythms and beats will be directed by the legendary “Minister of Sound,” DJ David Harness (Taboo/Fag Fridays/Super Soul Sundayz/ www.davidharness.com), and director Wolfgang Birsch’s new film, “How do I Look?”, will make it’s exclusive San Francisco debut at the Opening Night Gala. This film picks up where “Paris is Burning” left off and is an intimate look at NYC’s underground ball culture and fashion.

The SF Black LGBT Film Festival continues with all day film screenings at the African-American Arts and Culture Complex in San Francisco from 12:00 noon to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 17th. Francis Broome, Co-Producer of the festival says, “this year’s festival will provide a better-rounded line-up with films such as “Keith & Greg”, “Black Aura on an Angel,” “The Believers,” and “The Aggressives,” thus giving voice to the diversity within our community. I am excited and proud of this year’s line-up and think the community will be pleased as well.” Also in the line-up of features, shorts, and documentaries will be a Special Feature screening of “Pick up the Mic”.

"Pick up the Mic,” a fast-paced, raw, revealing and unapologetic look at queer rappers and the underground music movement as it explodes into the unyielding mainstream hip-hop culture. “Pick up the Mic” artist JenRo (myspace.com/jenrorap) will make a special appearance at the Saturday’s event along with a few surprises.

Sunday, February 18th, the Festival’s final day ends on a note of “giving back” with a Charity Basketball Game and Community Brunch held at the Everett Middle School in San Francisco, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., as the SF Rockdogs (reigning Gay Games Gold Medalist), take center court. This event is positioned to be unprecedented with Mr. Gay SF, John W. serving as Celebrity Sports Announcer and the LGBTQ Youth of Everett Middle School as partial beneficiaries.

This is a community-driven volunteer event! Anyone [all races, backgrounds, ages, ethnic/religious backgrounds, gender, sexuality, etc. accepted] interested in volunteering during the Festival may contact Adam Mehis, Volunteer Recruiter at blaquespectrum@gmail.com or 415.615.9945 X 102. Perks of volunteering will be discussed at that time.

The SF Black LGBT Film Fest [www.myspace.com/sffestival] debuted as the first film festival of its kind on November 6, 2001. Since then, it has screened hundreds of short and full length films, educated and entertained thousands of people from all over the world, and has generated thousands of dollars for Black HIV/AIDS prevention and services in San Francisco .

The Black Coalition on AIDS, Inc. [BCA / www.bcoa.org] was founded in 1986 by a group of Black men and women — straight and gay, old and young — witnessing the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS in their community.

General Inquiries & Media:

Jonathan Batiste / ev_coordinator@bcoa.org / 415.615.9945 Ext. 102

Sponsorship & Donations:

Alfred McGugin / clientservices@bcoa.org / 415.615.9945 Ext. 120

Films & Ticket Info:

Francis Broome / 3mvmanager@bcoa.org / 415.615.9945 Ext. 114

Volunteer Opportunities:

Adam Mehis / blaquespectrum@gmail.com / 415.615.9945 Ext. 102

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Official Website: http://www.myspace.com/sffestival