Diversity Rules Magazine

The 23rd annual OUTshine Film Fes val Miami edi- on is taking place un l May 2nd, with an opening night celebra on at the Dezerland Drive-In. Due to the pandemic, this year's fes val has been mostly dig- ital, with three in person events. It has featured 80+ LGBTQ films from around the world beginning with the opening night presenta on of Potato Dreams of America, a semi-autobiographical comedy film that follows director Wes Hurley growing up in Russia and coming to the United States with his mail-order bride mother. Addi onal highlights for the fes val included The Triple Threat, A Good Man, the docu- mentary Keyboard Fantasies and the Closing Night film Charlatan. The OUTshine Film Fes val Miami Opening Night Drive-In premiere of Potato Dreams of America took place Friday, April 23, 2021 @ 7:00 PM at Dezerland Drive-In (14401 NE 19th Ave, North Miami, FL 33181). "No ma er who you are or what your coming out journey has been, there has been a film for you," says Victor Gimenez, Execu ve Director of OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Fes val, a bi-annual film fes val with a mission to unite the community through social events and films that inspire, entertain and educate. Launched in 2008 as The Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Fes val, the fes val expanded ten years later to in- clude the Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Fes - val. Both were brought together as OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Fes val, with the Miami edi on held every April and the Fort Lauderdale edi on held in October. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year's Miami edi on has been held predominantly online. "One of the greatest strengths of the fes val being virtual is that it allows us to show the films for longer periods of me and to a broader audience across the en re state of Florida," Gimenez con nues. Addi onally, the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Fes val Mi- ami edi on has hosted virtual Q&As with filmmak- ers and talent and stream them on their Facebook and YouTube channels. "These will be great because we can we can really go in depth with talent located across the globe," Gimenez explains. An exci ng new feature being added to this year's OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Fes val Miami edi on is OUT- shine At Home. A er the fes val's conclusion, OUT- shine will offer its members 8-10 films every month; a mixture of brand-new films and older fes val tles that are not available on any streaming services. "It will enable our audience to discover incredible new content and remain engaged in LGBTQ+ film throughout the year," Giminez says. He believes it will also encourage new members from all parts of Florida – Orlando, Jacksonville, Naples, and Tallahas- see – to join their community and experience OUT- shine LGBTQ+Film Fes val Miami when it becomes a physical event again in April 2022. For more informa on about the 23rd Annual Miami Edi on of the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Fes val, visit www.outshinefilm.com. Follow on Facebook @OUT- shineFilmFes val, on Twi er @OUTshineFilm and on Instagram @OUTshineFilm. 6 | Diversity Rules Magazine | May 2021 OUTshine Festival 23rd annual OUTshine Film Festival Miami edition taking place April 23rd to May 2nd.

• Cover