The annual Gay and Lesbian film festival will take place in Miami, Florida from April 24th through May 6th and features the best the gay community has to offer in independent film making. Members of the festival have the opportunity to get their complimentary tickets from March 26th until April 8th before the are available to anyone else. The Florida festival is kept going by the Producer's Circle, a group made up of individuals, small businesses, families and couples who have donated money and resources to the festival. These gifts have not only allowed the Gay and Lesbian film festival to improve the festival's reputation both at home and abroad, but has also allowed them to start up outreach programs and extend its year-round programming. Non-festival screenings are held once a month from June until February.

Although there are other activities, the heart of the festival is obviously the films making their debuts there. Among these films are "The Picture of Dorian Gray", a movie about a young man whose success with a self-titled movie makes him so afraid of growing old and ugly, he makes a deal with the devil; and "Anger Me", a film about a man named Kenneth Anger, who is a major force in the independent film industry. Narrated by the main character, the film is an autobiography of sorts of director Elio Gelmini.

New films are not all to see at the Florida festival, though. There are panels as well. "Nina's Heavenly Delights", presented by Prathiba Parmar, will screen her early works. The screening is one of a series that spotlight women film makers and discusses the politics involved when women participate in the media. The screening is a free event and is sponsored by Florida Atlantic University. "Boy I Am", a panel about Trans-gender issues devoted to the movie of the same name, will be held on May 3rd and includes a variety of panelists and moderators, including Sam Feder, director of "Boy I Am".

The Festival is packed with other events as well: There is a kick-off party, an Opening Night Gala/Silent Auction, The Short Movie Awards, A DineOUT and after party, the Producer's Circle, The Centerpiece Gala, the Closing Night Gala at Parrot Jungle Island, and more. Each Gala and party will be held at some of the best Miami restaurants and clubs. The Festival has also continued to offer more screenings and events in Fort Lauderdale over the past couple years, due to popular demand.

The annual Gay and Lesbian film festival also offers special travel accommodations such as Car Rental and Hotel Room Rental discounts to its members. When you sign up as a member, you will receive promotional codes that will allow you to make travel reservations with sponsors such as The Hotel of South Beach, AVIS and JetBlue. Membership rates for individuals range from $20 to $60 and allow the card holder to get discounted movie tickets, festival shirts and give the member priority when distributed the tickets. For full rates and benefits, check out the website, located at http://www.mglff.com/