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The Damn These Heels LGBT Film Festival marks its 13th year next weekend — or, as its director, Patrick Hubley, puts it, "its troublesome teens."
Hubley, who is artistic director of the Utah Film Center, noted the event — set for Friday through Sunday, July 15-17, at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center in downtown Salt Lake City — is evolving along with the quality of films made by and for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender moviegoers.
"Our programming is more reflective of films that are not only of interest to the LGBT community, but also to film lovers," Hubley said this week. "Ultimately, it's about showing good films."
Jeff Horne, the center's programming manager, noted the number of good LGBT films available is straining the limited number of slots for the three-day event.
For example, the number of films with transgender characters and themes has grown. "We've had to turn down transgender films, which hasn't happened before," Horne said.
The films also reflect a more global perspective. Horne singled out "Loev," a gay romance filmed in secret in India, where attitudes about homosexuality remain hostile.
There also are two acclaimed lesbian dramas from Europe: "Summertime," from France; and "Me, Myself and Her," from Italy.
Documentaries have been programmed for the festival's three spotlight slots.
The opening-night film, at 8 p.m. Friday, July 15, is Deborah Esquenazi's "Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four," an examination of the unjust imprisonment of four women amid accusations of child abuse, gang rape and Satanic rituals.
The Centerpiece film, at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 16, is "Kiki," director Sara Jordenö's documentary, which debuted at this year's Sundance Film Festival. It shines a light on the ballroom and kiki dance communities in New York, where transgender teens of color find a refuge and a place to express themselves.
The closing-night film, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 17, is "Strike a Pose," which profiles seven male dancers — six gay, one straight — whose lives were changed when they backed up Madonna on her "Blonde Ambition" tour (which was chronicled in the concert film "Truth or Dare").
Other festival highlights:
• Two documentaries for movie buffs: "Women He's Undressed" (Saturday, July 16, 10 a.m.), in which director Gillian Armstrong ("My Brilliant Career," "Little Women") profiles Oscar-winning costume designer Orry-Kelly; and "The Slippers" (Sunday, July 17, 12:30 p.m.), filmmaker Morgan White's examination of the cultural impact of the most famous shoes in movies: Dorothy's ruby slippers from "The Wizard of Oz."
The Slippers - Trailer #1 from Morgan White on Vimeo.
• Another hit from Sundance, "Uncle Howard" (Saturday, July 16, 2:30 p.m.), is documentarian Aaron Brookner's attempt to understand his late uncle Howard, who made a landmark documentary about the writer William S. Burroughs — and was making his feature debut, the 1989 period piece "Bloodhounds of Broadway," while he was dying of AIDS.
• For the first time, the festival has a short-film slate, the Damn Shorts Program (Saturday, July 16, 5 p.m.). Six short films, chosen from the festival's open submission call (also a first), will be screened.
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Damn These Heels
The 13th annual Damn These Heels LGBT Film Festival, presented by the Utah Film Center.
Where • Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 South, Salt Lake City
When • Friday through Sunday, July 15-17
Tickets • $5 per screening; $13 for the opening-night screening of "Southwest of Salem"; via artsaltlake.org
Passes • Starting at $50, at the festival's website
Program • For a full slate of titles, go to the festival's website