INSIDE OUT OPENS WITH AWARD WINNING THE WAY HE LOOKS Also premiering at the festival is Ira Sachs’ LOVE IS STRANGE and the International Focus programme this year features Latin America Festival runs May 22 to June 1, 2014 Public tickets on sale May 8 at www.insideout.ca (April 15, 2014 – Toronto, ON) Executive Director Scott Ferguson and Director of Programming Andrew Murphy are pleased to announce that Daniel Ribeiro’s critically acclaimed debut feature THE WAY HE LOOKS will open the 24th annual LGBT Film Festival on May 22, 2014. Winner of the Teddy Award for Best Feature Film at the 2014 Berlin International Film Festival, THE WAY HE LOOKS is a tender and captivating coming-of-age story about Leonardo, a blind teenage boy falling in love with his new classmate, Gabriel. THE WAY HE LOOKS will have its Canadian premiere at Inside Out. “When I saw THE WAY HE LOOKS at this year’s Berlin Film Festival, I knew that I wanted to bring it to Toronto audiences,” said Andrew Murphy, Director of Programming. “Daniel Ribeiro has made a compelling, heart-warming debut that soars above the usual coming of age story and we are thrilled to open the Festival with it.” Inside Out also announce its Centrepiece Gala, Ira Sachs’ LOVE IS STRANGE starring John Lithgow, Alfred Molina and Marisa Tomei, and this year’s International Focus on Latin America. “Our International Focus offers a fascinating look at features and shorts from Latin America,” said Ferguson. “The scope and range of these films truly reflects the diversity, courage and extraordinary artistry of the filmmakers from Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Venezuela and Brazil.” Inside Out is pleased to welcome RBC Royal Bank as the Festival’s returning Presenting Sponsor. Screenings for the 2014 Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival will take place at TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King St. W). Tickets will be available on May 6 to members, May 8 to public. Visit www.insideout.ca for more information. Opening Night THE WAY HE LOOKS (Hoje eu quero voltar sozinho) Daniel Ribeiro (Brazil) Canadian premiere Leonardo is a blind teenager struggling to break free from his well-meaning friends and family. At home, his over-protective mother doesn’t trust him to be on his own. His wisecracking best friend, Giovana, attentively looks out for him even though Leo’s blithely unaware of the torch she carries. When new student Gabriel arrives at school, he befriends Leonardo and Giovana and the trio become inseparable. Leo gravitates towards Gabriel, excited to be friends with someone who acts differently from everyone else. Meanwhile, Giovana begins to feel jealous that she is no longer the sole caretaker to her BFF. Centrepiece Gala LOVE IS STRANGE Ira Sachs (USA) Canadian premiere After 39 years together, Ben (John Lithgow) and George (Alfred Molina) finally tie the knot in a quiet ceremony attended by family and friends in lower Manhattan. But when the Catholic school where George works as choir director learns of their nuptials, he is fired from his longtime job. Suddenly, with no real savings to count on, the couple find that they can’t afford the rent on their Chelsea apartment and they lose their home. As a temporary solution, George crashes with gay cop neighbours (Cheyenne Jackson and Manny Perez), while Ben moves in with his workaholic nephew, Elliot (Darren Burrows), Elliot’s write-from-home wife, Kate (Marisa Tomei), and their teenage son, Joey. As Ben and George struggle to secure a new apartment, the pain of living apart and their presence in two foreign households test the resilience and relationships of everyone involved. International Focus: Latin America Features MY STRAIGHT SON (Azul y no tan rosa) Miguel Ferrari (Venezuela) Toronto Premiere Diego, a successful fashion photographer in Caracas, is finally ready to commit to his partner Fabrizio when his life is turned upside down. First, his teenage son Armando, who hasn’t seen his father in five years and who doesn’t know Diego is gay, comes to stay with him. Then, tragically, Fabrizio becomes a victim of a violent homophobic attack that leaves him clinging to life. Coping with grief and anger, Diego must try forging a new relationship with his son. Winner of the Goya Award for Best Ibero-American film. THE THIRD ONE (El Tercero) Rodrigo Guerrero (Argentina) Canadian Premiere This sexy Argentine three-hander begins where many intriguing encounters begin these days—in Internet chat rooms, where flirtation, dares, exposed flesh and typos run rampant. When nervous young Fede finally shows up for dinner at the home of Franco and Hernán, a settled older couple, fantasy gives way to reality—and reality has its own charms. The film possesses a refreshing realism and honesty as the story slowly unfolds and the characters relax and become comfortable with each other. PRAIA DO FUTURO Karim Aïnouz (Brazil/Germany) Canadian Premiere PRAIA DO FUTURO is a seductive, atmospheric meditation on loss, love and the search for self- discovery. Donato works as a lifeguard on Praia do Futuro Beach. When he dives in after two men who are caught in the undercurrent, Donato saves Konrad, a vacationing German, but Konrad's friend is lost to the sea. While waiting for the body to be found, a bond grows between Donato and Konrad, and the initial sexual sparks give way to a deeper emotional connection. Following Konrad to Berlin, Donato is both confused and liberated by the cold but vital German capital. Years later, a visitor from Donato’s past arrives in Berlin in search of Donato and demands answers to a long-simmering question. EVERYBODY’S GOT SOMEBODY…BUT ME (Todo el mundo tiene a alguien menos yo) Raul Fuentes (Mexico) When Alejandra, a publishing editor who lives in her own insular world, encounters Maria, a carefree private-school student, sparks ignite. Maria becomes an inspiration to Alejandra, and something of a muse. Alejandra becomes an opportunity for Maria: an escape from frivolous school friends into an exciting new world. Soon the couple become involved in an all-consuming love affair in which they push and challenge each other intellectually and emotionally. Mixed Shorts: Focus on Latin America THE BITCHHIKER (A Caroneira) Otavio Chamorro and Tiago Vaz (Brazil) A mysterious woman seeks revenge against her archrival. WOMAN (La Donna) Nicolas Dolensky (Argentina) A light-hearted evening playing ‘The Name Game’ evolves into a different type of entertainment as a couple and their friend flirt with desire and seduction. THE CROSS-EYED (O Olho e o Zarolho) Juliana Vicente (Brazil) Matheus has two moms. Mom #1 goes into a crisis when she sees Matheus’ drawings and his rather unique colour choices. THE BEST FRIEND (O melhor amigo) Allan Deberton (Brazil) On the first day of their summer vacation, Lucas and Felipe decide to spend the day at the beach. THE PACKAGE (O Pacote) Rafael Aider (Brazil) On the outskirts of Sao Paulo, teenage Jefferson befriends Leandro, the new student at school. Their relationship is threatened when Jefferson reveals a secret he has been hiding from Leandro. About Inside Out Inside Out presents the annual Toronto LGBT Film Festival, with financial support from Presenting Sponsor, RBC Royal Bank. It is the largest event of its kind in Canada and entertains cinema buffs of all stripes, showcasing the best and most diverse films by, for and of interest to LGBT communities. For 11 days, the Festival draws crowds of more than 32,500 to screenings, artist talks, panel discussions, installations and parties that showcase more than 175 films and videos from Canada and around the world. In addition, Inside Out is committed to challenging attitudes and changing lives year-round through the exhibition, production and promotion of LGBT film with initiatives including annual festivals in Toronto and Ottawa, educational programs including the Queer Video Mentorship Project and the Mark S. Bonham Scholarship, and fall/winter screening series. This year’s Festival runs May 22 to June 1, 2014. About RBC and the Arts RBC sponsors a wide-range of grassroots and local initiatives that contribute to the cultural fabric of our communities. Proud to support events and passions that resonate with our clients, RBC provides opportunities for up-and-coming artists through programs such as the RBC Canadian Painting Competition; the RBC Emerging Visions Program; and the RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition, part of our commitment to the world’s top public film festival – the Toronto International Film Festival®. As one of North America’s leading diversified financial services companies and among the largest banks in the world, as measured by market capitalization, RBC employs approximately 80,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 49 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com. SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Visit us on the web: www.insideout.ca Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/InsideOutTO Like Us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InsideOutFilmFestival ‐30‐ For more information including media accreditation and interview requests, please contact: Alma Parvizian Naoko Kumagai (416) 593-0777 x202 (416) 593-0777 x204 [email protected] [email protected] .