OUTwatch – Wine Country’s LGBTQI Film Festival will happen Friday, June 9 through Sunday, June 11 as part of Sonoma County Pride’s Calendar of Events. After a three-year pandemic pause, OUTwatchreturns to showcase three entertaining narrative films and two thought-provoking documentaries. Rialto Cinemas in Sebastopol will again play host to the festival. 

The schedule is: Friday, June 9, 7 p.m. Maybe Someday During a cross-country trip, Jay, a 40-something photographer, ponders her life after her separation from her wife but a stop in her hometown sees the return of her high school crush and her gay bestie who keeps her laughing.  Saturday, June 10, 4 p.m. WildhoodWhen Link discovers his Mi’kmaw mother may still be alive, he leaves his toxic home life with his brother and on the way they meet Pasmay, a Two Spirited, pow wow dancer with whom Link finds love and community.  Saturday, June 10, 7 p.m.  Commitment to Life The true story of the fight against HIV/AIDS in early 1980s Los Angeles when an intrepid group of people living with HIV/AIDS, doctors, movie stars, studio moguls and activists changed the course of the epidemic and saved lives. Sunday, June 11, 4 p.m.  UnsettledThis documentary reveals the untold stories of LGBT refugees and asylum seekers from Africa and the Middle East who have fled intense persecution from their home countries and who are resettling in the United States.  Sunday, June 11, 7 p.m. Big Boys In this utterly charming coming-of-age comedy, a teenage boy experiences a sexual awakening when he falls for his cousin’s straight, bearish boyfriend while on a camping trip and the two find themselves lost in the woods.  

OUTwatch believes the very act of inviting an audience to watch a film builds community and inhibits the isolation too many of us experience.  Since 2019, OUTwatch has brought together LGBTQI businesses, non-profits, social groups, and artists to highlight our collective consciousness as well as our diversity. It is important for all of us who are part of the LGBTQI Community, as well as the community at large, to both see positive images of ourselves and explore the myriad of challenges we still face. 

If you would like more information or to schedule an interview with co-producers Gary Carnivele, Jody Laine and Shad Reinstein, contact Gary at 707-225-1302 or garycarnivele@gmail.com   

OUTwatch is appreciative of the support of our Film Festival Sponsors:  Sonoma County Pride and Abacus.  Also, our Film Sponsors:Fastsigns;Queer Asylum Accompaniment; Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival; Kinna Crock Law.