Packed Venue at Side by Side’s Moscow Opening

Side by Side LGBT International LGBT Film Festival opened to a packed house. The festival started in Moscow on 17 May, International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, at SREDA Loft – one of the repurposed creative spaces in the former ARMA factory buildings.

The opening ceremony started with a glass of wine and celebratory buffet. The host – activist and head of the LGBT group “Stimul” Andrey Petrov shared the highlights of the festival programme and introduced the ever growing list of Side by Side partners. By the end of the ceremony the hall was overflowing: the loft space held around 300 people.

The film shown on opening night was the biopic drama “Tom of Finland” based on the life of the Finnish artist Touko Laaksonen. His drawings of uninhibited and ruggish homosexuals have gained a cult following in the gay subculture, and his international fame far eõtends even further.

After the screening the audience had a chance to put their questions to actor Pekka Strang who portrayed Laaksonen in the film. The Finnish actor was met by thunderous applause. Author of the books “Another Ñhildhood” and “The Gospel of” Sergey Khazov-Ñassia moderated the Q&A.

A selection of the most captivating items of the Side by Side anniversary programme awaits the viewers: arthouse cinema, strong documentaries, meetings with film creators and discussions on burning social topics. A total of 23 movies will be shown during the festival tour in Moscow: 7 feature length films and 16 shorts.

Festival venue: SREDA Loft (5 Nizhniy Susalniy per., bld. 4, floor 1, metro Kurskaya).

Photo and video recording allowed only by advance accreditation:

[email protected] Tanya Panteleeva | Tel. 8-953-146-93-76

Ticket Price: 250-30 rubles.

Social networks:

vk.com/bokobokfest facebook.com/bokobokfest instagram.com/bokobokfest

Detailed info and schedule.

No admittance to minors. 18+