ZeFestival: an LGBT cinema event in Nice

Sept. 17 2015

by Guillaume Nargeot

The very gay-friendly city of Nice continues to host and organize gay events. The city has created the "Naturally iridescent Nice" label, which lists the city's "Gay Welcoming" establishments; the tourist office has joined forces with the IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association); the city hosts France's only gay carnival, "Lou Queernaval", as well as the 8th edition of the In&Out gay and lesbian film festival, and the Pink Parade every year in July. Nothing is neglected to ensure that the gay and gay-friendly public has the support it needs and that events are held to meet their expectations, making Nice the most gay-friendly city in France.

The latest example is the Gay & Lesbian Film Festival "ZeFestival", which will be held for the eighth year in a row in Nice and throughout the French Riviera. The festival, highly anticipated by the southern LGBT community, will begin its 2015 season on September 24 and will last until October 18.

On the program for this new edition of the gay & lesbian film festival Zefestival: 13 feature films and 12 short films, 5 documentaries, 3 of which will be followed by a lively debate, a Drag Kings workshop and various parties. Among the expected screenings, those of "Burning Blue", "Boys in Brazil", "Le beau frère" or "Le Cercle".

The city of Nice will host the majority of events from September 24, the opening date of the festival, to October 4. The Mercury cinema, the Vigna bookstore and the LGBT center will host screenings and debates. A dozen films and documentaries will be screened from October 15 to 18 (closing of the festival), at the cinema Les Variétés in Marseille. Finally the documentary "Vivant!" followed by a debate in the presence of the director will be screened at the Cinéma Liberté in Toulon.

ZeFestival is organized by the association "Polychromes", whose goal is to promote culture by or for the LGBT community. With 200 members, the association is not at its first attempt with this LGBT film festival. It has already developed artistic and creative workshops, set up a choir and a theater group, and carried out cultural actions in the PACA region. In 2008, ZeFestival was born, with the ambition to offer the public films in previews or in national release. To complete the event, debates and conferences conclude the events in the presence of directors and special guests.