Exclusive | Sundance 2009

Sundance, the fairy godfather of independent film festivals, hits the streets and screens of Utah's Park City, January 15-25, 2009, for its 25th year.

Sundance has showcased many a gay- and lesbian-themed cinematic spectacular, from Tarnation to D.E.B.S., and beams positive and provocative stories of the LGBT community out loud on the Sundance Channel during the month of June.

While the festival itself is known as being a springboard for gay and lesbian filmmakers, there's been an extra bounce to the step of the creative community since 2004 when Queer Lounge (608 Main Street) launched. Both a hub and a haven for LGBT filmmakers, queer-friendly film professionals, and festival attendees, the Absolut Queer Lounge is the place where queer filmmakers get their voices heard from January 15-21.

Comprising a hospitality suite, information center for films with queer content or of queer creation, and an event space that hosts parties, panels, and press conferences, the Queer Lounge has quickly become the essential place to relax and lounge with your own kind at Sundance. This nonprofit support center saw visits from more than 4,000 festival attendees in prior years, and it distributed some 3,000 programs highlighting the extensive queer contributions to Sundance.

1/15: Sundance Opening Night Screening

1/15: Sundance Opening Night Party

1/16: Thank GLAAD It?s Friday
Held at the Queer Lounge space, this LGBT meet and greet cocktail hour is a hot ticket.

1/16: Salt Lake City Screening

1/16: Salt Lake City Gala

1/18: Regent Media?s Queer Brunch
The premiere and signature LGBT event for the Sundance film festival.

1/19: Men Magazine Presents Sindance: The Ultimate Pajama Party
A sizzling hot after-hours pajama party celebrating Reese Rideout, Unzipped's Man of the Year.

1/23: Sundance Closing Film

1/24: Sundance Awards Ceremony

1/24: Sundance Awards Night Party

Part One | Part Two