AGLIFF Nonprofit Organization Announces Rebrand to Polari in Conjunction with 25th Anniversary Year Online Film Festival Schedule Launch

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AGLIFF (Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival) announces its rebrand to Polari in honor of its 25^th anniversary and continued mission to talk, to listen and communicate with the world about LGBTQIA identities through cinematic expression.

AGLIFF INTRODUCES POLARI
AGLIFF introduces its rebrand, polarifest.com/polari-rebrand, with an identity that embodies not only the history of the nonprofit organization, but also represents the progress of the LGBTQIA community.

The name Polari, a historic gay language, pays homage to our past while charting a new course for the future – once a hidden language, we are now insisting through the art of cinema that Polari be spoken in public.

Polari's emphasis on reciprocal conversation will inform the organization's spirit of camaraderie and community building. Polari reestablishes AGLIFF's importance within the LGBTQIA communities of Austin and internationally. It asserts the relevancy of the organization and foregrounds the important role that gay and lesbian film festivals continue to play in educating the public about LGBTQIA issues through voice, vision and sound.

AGLIFF IS: POLARI FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM LAUNCH
AGLIFF presents itself as the Polari Film Festival taking place October 3-7, 2012 at the Alamo Drafthouse, Paramount, Stateside and Violet Crown theaters in downtown Austin, Texas featuring the most innovative programming line up expressing the festival's renewed dedication to inclusivity.

During the 5 days of the Film Festival 104 films and a locally produced web series will screen. The films were selected from 344 submissions resulting in a juried and awarded program that is approximately 30% international. AGLIFF is: Polari officially nominated the short film, Polaroid Girl, to the international Iris Prize Festival, irisprize.org, for filmmaker funding and support.

Film Festival Gala Screenings:
Opening Night Film: Cloudburst (Thom Fitzgerald, 2011)
Centerpiece Film: Fourplay (Kyle Henry, 2012)
Closing Night Film: My Brother The Devil (Sally El Hosaini, 2012)
Documentary Spotlight: Call Me Kuchu (Katherine Fairfax Wright & Malika Zouhali-Worrall, 2012)

Film Festival Screening Highlights:
Codependent Lesbian Alien Seeks Same (Madeleine Olnek, 2011, USA)
Facing Mirrors (Negar Azarbeyjani, 2011, Iran)

Four (Joshua Sanchez, 2012, USA)
Heavy Girls (Axel Ranisch, 2011, Germany)
I Want Your Love (Travis Matthew, 2012)
Keep The Lights On (Ira Sachs, 2012, USA)
Kiss Me (Alexandra-Therese Keining, 2011, Sweden)
North Sea Texas (Bavo Defurne, 2011, Belgium)
Remington And The Curse Of The Zombadings (Jade Castro, 2011, Philippines)
Sassy Pants (Coley Sohn, 2012, USA)
Satan's Angel: Queen Of The Fire Tassels (Josh Dragotta, 2012, USA)
Stud Life (Campbell X, 2012, UK)
United In Anger: A History Of Act–Up (Jim Hubbard, 2012, USA)
Yossi (Eytan Fox, 2012, Israel)

Visit polarifest.com/festival/festival-schedule for the comprehensive online film festival schedule.

Film Festival Special Events:
Special festival events include the Opening Party, Centerpiece Party, Film Awards + Closing Party, Filmmaker Brunch and Out of The Box After Party featuring performances by renowned singer-songwriter Justin Vivian Bond and local drag provocateur Christeene.

In addition to five days of film screenings and special events, the Film Festival Program will spotlight a collection of panels and industry mixers with a screenwriting Master Class by cinema trailblazer Cheryl Dunye.

Visit polarifest.com/festival/festival-events for festival event information and updates.

AGLIFF IS: POLARI 2012 MEMBERSHIP
Support AGLIFF's transformation to Polari through becoming a member today at polarifest.com/memberships. Membership secures your attendance to the Polari Film Festival Program, October 3-7, 2012. All memberships are tax deductible and directly benefit the Nonprofit Organization's LGBTQIA community programs.

ABOUT THE POLARI NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
The Polari Organization, historically known as AGLIFF (Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival), facilitates communication between the LGBTQI community and our allies including our parents, brothers, sisters and friends, while fostering awareness, equality and entertainment though the art of film.

The Polari Organization's International Film Festival cultivates enlightenment, education, and understanding in the LGBTQIA communities through diverse and dynamic film programming and offers a crucial platform for LGBTQIA media artists.

Polari provides education-based programs, polarifest.com/programs, throughout the year, culminating at the Polari Film Festival. These programs include: The Queer Youth Media Project, My Queer Movie Project, Filmmaker Assistance Program and Family Screening Program.

Platinum sponsors of AGLIFF – Polari organization include Frank, HBO, Public School and L Style G Style.

For more information, visit polarifest.com.

PRESS CREDENTIALS
The press accreditation process is currently open for members of the press interested in attending AGLIFF is: Polari Film Festival Program.

Contact: Lindsay Muse, [email protected], 512-302-9889

SOURCE AGLIFF - Polari Nonprofit Organization