Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival to be held 24.10 – 1.11.2018, St Petersburg

Russia’s only existing annual LGBT Film Festival Side by Side will present a programme of feature films, documentaries and shorts at Cinema Loft Moscow and Space Palma from October 24 to November 1, 2018.

27 films from around the world, winners of both national and international film awards, will be screened. The programme also includes a number of interactive events and Q&A’s with special guests who will travel to Russia to present the films.

Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival to be held 24.10 – 1.11.2018, St Petersburg

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.

Conchita to participate at the 10th annual Side by Side LGBT Film Festival in St. Petersburg

Artist and Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest Conchita Wurst will travel to Russia for the first time: She will visit Side by Side International LGBT Film Festival taking place in St. Petersburg from November 16 to 25, 2017. Last night, on 16 November 2017, Side by Side Film Festival opened for the tenth time at the Moscow LOFT film theatre. This year the opening experienced an unprecedented turn out of support with over 400 people in attendance.

Greg Louganis to Headline at Russia’s IX Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, 17 - 26 November, 2016

Four-time Olympic Gold medallist Greg Louganis will be heading to Russia, once again, in an effort to support the local LGBTI community. Louganis, who has often spoken out critically of Russia's  anti-propaganda laws will be participating in the ninth Side by Side LGBT Film Festival in Saint Petersburg, taking place from 17 – 26 November, 2016. 

Fifth Moscow Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, 21 - 24 April, 2016

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival comes to the capital once again and will be celebrating its fifth Moscow festival from 21 – 24 April, 2016.

The theme is the power of cinema and this year the audience through the programming selection will be reminded of cinema’s incredibly transformative power and how it can impress upon us particular emotions, introduce new ideas or concepts that may challenge our perception, encourage us to formulate a more critical stance or even more dramatically be a call to action.

2016 Side by Side Season Starts! Film, Discussions and More...

The 2016 season opens with screenings in Saint Petersburg and Moscow throughout February and March. Take a look at the calendar of events below and join us at our screenings and discussions!

FEEL THE POWER OF CINEMA at VIII Side by Side LGBT, Saint Petersburg

For the eighth time, Side by Side LGBT Film Festival will be celebrating once again this autumn from 19 – 28 November, 2015.

The theme is the power of cinema and this year the audience through the programming selection will be reminded of cinema’s incredibly transformative power and how it can impress upon us particular emotions, introduce new ideas or concepts that may challenge our perception, encourage us to formulate a more critical stance or even more dramatically be a call to action.

Side by Side will be offering some of the most talked about and highly acclaimed LGBT films produced over the last 12 months.

IV Moscow Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, 23 – 26 April, 2015

Side by Side International LGBT Film Festival is set to start next week in Moscow, running four days from 23 – 26 April, 2015.

The festival is taking place in Moscow for the fourth year running and this year the Moscow audience will have the opportunity to see over 20 films, including winners, not only from Sundance, Cannes and the Berlinale but those films that received the BOBIK Award, from the VII Side by Side in Saint Petersburg, November, 2014.

A Packed March with Screenings and Discussions in Tomsk, Saint Petersburg & Moscow!

March is a busy month for Side by Side and we are actively organising events across Russia in the cities of Tomsk, Saint Petersburg and Moscow. Take a look at the calendar of events below and join us at our screenings and discussions!

VII Side by Side LGBT International Festival, 20 - 29 November, 2014

The countdown is on and only a very few days remain until the start of the VII Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, 20 – 29 November, 2014, in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

A full programme, with a rich and diverse range of films and events, as well as an impressive line-up of guests from both Russia and around the world, is on offer to the public during the upcoming 10 festival days. Among the very many premieres this year, one which is a must to see, is the collection of short documentary films: A Day In the Life of… directed by Russian filmmakers Alina Rudnitskaya, Olga Privolnova and Kristina Kvitko. The films focus on life of LGBT people in contemporary Russia and what has resulted is an eclectic mix of lyrical sketches and personal portraits. An experimental project, the film was co-produced by Side by Side.

Boris Dittrich to Lecture in Saint Petersburg and Moscow, 24 and 26 May, 2014

Boris Dittrich,  Advocacy Director, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights Program at Human Rights Watch to Lecture in Saint Petersburg and Moscow, 24 and 26 May, 2014. Taking part in Side by Side’s new event format – a lecture and screening, is the prominent human rights activist Boris Dittrich from Human Rights Watch. 

Side by Side On the Road: III Film Festival, Moscow 24 -27 April, 2014

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival takes to the Russian capital once again offering to the Moscow public between 24 – 27 April, 2014 some of the major highlights from the autumn’s 2013 Saint Petersburg programme. Providing the setting for the festival are Sakharov Center and Project Fabrika.

Join Russian LGBT activists in promoting LGBTI equality and non-discrimination (February 7 – 23)

The Winter Olympic Games will open is Sochi in less than five days. We invite you to speak up in support of equality and respect of human dignity for LGBTI people in Russia and post our special Olympic Equality avatar as your profile picture on Facebook and Twitter.

The IOC Reminded Russian LGBT Activists about Freedom of Speech at the Olympics

Coalition of Russian LGBT organizations received an official response from the International Olympic Committee to their earlier request. The IOC decided to not try and obtain clarity from the Russian authorities about the implications of the national ‘anti-propaganda’ legislation. Instead, the Committee reminded activists, media, and participants of the games about freedom of speech and excellent working conditions for the media guaranteed in Sochi.

VI Side by Side LGBT Film Festival: Closing Ceremony Proceedings Not Marred by Fifth Hoax Bomb Call.

On 30th November, at art-space Skohorod, Saint Petersburg the VI Side by Side LGBT Festival came to a close. The festival which has been plagued with major disruption, receiving 5 bomb threats which led to evacuations of buildings, causing scheduling changes, ended in a positive and reaffirming atmosphere in the presence of the creators of the Oscar award winning film MILK, Gus Van Sant, (director), Dustin Lance Black (screenwriter) and Bruce Cohen (producer).

Schedule Changes!

As a result of yesterday's (23 November, 2013) second attempt to disrtupt the festival and another hoax call that an explosive devise had been left at Co-working: Zona deistviya (LOFT Project) Side by Side organisers have been forecd to reschedule Sundays screenings. This decision was taken due to Co-working: Zona deistviya (LOFT Project) refusing to work further with Side by Side. Organizers are focusing on the up coming events in the week ahead and will be taken measures to ensure any further disruption. Please keep checking the website and social networks for information.  

Hoax Call Fails to Stop the Opening of VI Side by Side Film Festival.

Gus Van Sant to Participate in Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, Saint Petersburg, Russia

In attendance at this year’s Side by Side LGBT Film Festival is the award winning director Gus Van Sant. In store for the Saint Petersburg audience, on 30th November, is a very special evening of cinema, with the screening of the film MILK, followed by a discussion, not only with the director Gus Van Sant but the film’s producer Bruce Cohen and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, who received an Oscar for Best Screenplay, in 2009 for the film MILK.  

VI Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, 21 - 30 November, 2013

In the face of adversity and continued repression from the authorities over the past year, Side by Side LGBT Film Festival pulls through and returns once again, for the sixth year running, to Saint Petersburg, Russia putting on a full programme of screenings and discussions dedicated to LGBT issues and rights between 21 – 30 November, 2013.  

For Thomas Bach, Russia is not the Place to Commit to a Dialogue about non-Discrimination

October 30 -- Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, refused to meet with representatives of a coalition of Russian LGBT organizations during his Sochi visit, offering a meeting in Lausanne instead. LGBT activists in Russia see this decision as yet another indicator that the Sochi Olympics are far from being a platform to uphold and promote the Olympic values.

Buzzfeed: Russian LGBT Activists Say New IOC Chief Ignoring Request to Meet During Russia Visit

The newly elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach has not responded to a request sent from a coalition of Russian LGBT organizations asking for a meeting during his first visit to Sochi, the Russian coalition said on Monday, as Bach arrived in the southern city to meet Vladimir Putin.

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival Wins “Foreign Agent” Case on Final Appeal in City Court, Saint Petersburg.

On 4th October, 2013 the City Court of St. Petersburg overturned two previous court decisions which had found the organization Sideby Side LGBT Film Festival in violation of the ‘foreign agents’ law. The fine of 400,000 rubles (9,000 Euros) has been annulled.  

Side by Side LGBT Film Festivals Loses Appeal and Found Guilty for Violating ‘Foreign Agents’ Law.

Side by Side LGBT Film Festivals Loses Appeal and Found Guilty for Violating ‘Foreign Agents’ Law. On 26th July, 2013 Judge E.V Botantsova of the Kuybyshevskiy District Court, Saint Petersburg returned a guilty verdict to the appeal made by the Side by Side LGBT Film Festival concerning their status as a ‘foreign agent’. This was the first appeal made by Side by Side to the higher district court to the decision passed by the lower magistrates court on 6th June, 2013 which also found Side bySide in breach of the ‘foreign agents’ law, finding the organization ˆ12,500. The court’s decision comes into effect from today and Side by Side has a period of 2 months to pay the fine.  

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival: Guilty and Fined 12,500 Euros for Violating “Foreign Agents” Law, Russia

On 6 June, 2013, Saint Petersburg, Russia Magistrates Court Judge Oleg Camaldinov took a mere 10 minutes of ‘deliberation’ to declare Side by Side LGBT Film Festival guilty for not registering as a ‘foreign agent’. The judge, even after defence lawyers had presented 4 hours of solid and incontrovertible argument, was not to be persuaded opting to side with the local public prosecutor who produced flimsy and insubstantial evidence against the festival. The organization faces a fine of 12,500 Euros.
 

‘Foreign Agents’ Trial Against Side by Side Adjourned Until Prosecutor Issues Documentation as to Why Checks were Launched Against Festival.

On Friday, 24th May, 2013 Side by Side LGBT Film Festival began to contest allegations drawn up by the prosecutor accusing the organization of violating Article 19.34 of the administrative code relating to the conduct of non-commercial organizations and their status as ‘foreign agents’.

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival First to Go to Trial in Saint Petersburg Concerning ‘Foreign Agents’ Law.

On 24th May, 2013 at 15.30 Side by Side LGBT Film Festival will contest at the local magistrates court, No 206 (14 Kazanskaya Street) allegations drawn up by the prosecutor accusing the organization of violating Article 19.34 of the administrative code relating to the conduct of non-commercial organizations and their status as ‘foreign agents’. In the event Side by Side is found guilty the organization is faced with a fine of 500,000 Rubles (12,500 Euros).  

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival Faces Prosecution under ‘Foreign Agents’ Law in Russia.

On 6th May, 2013, Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, received a ruling from the local prosecutor accusing the organization of violating Article 19.7 of the administrative code relating to the conduct of non-commercial organizations and their status as ‘foreign agents’.  

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, Moscow, 18-21 April 2013

At the backdrop of an ever increasing homophobic climate in Russia Side by Side LGBT Film Festival takes to the capital of the country once again and for the second time organizing four days of screening and discussion in Moscow from 18 - 21 April, 2013.
 

V Side by Side LGBT Film Festival Recognizes Support of Politicians, Artists and Journalists at Closing Ceremony.

On 3rd November, 2012 the fifth Side by Side LGBT Film Festival came to a successful close in Saint Petersburg, Russia. At the closing ceremony this year it was not only filmmakers that were recognized for their work, being presented the festivals BOBIK award by the jury but individuals and collectives working in the field of politics, protest art and journalism were also to receive a new award BRAVE TAIL voted by the audience in acknowledgement of their defense of the rights of the LGBT community in Russia. 

Saint Petersburg’s Side by Side LGBT Film Festival in Full Swing, Seeing Record Number of Visitors to Events.

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival opened on 25th October, 2012 with a full house, setting the tone of the proceeding festival days which have also seen heavy turnouts to all events. Opening the festival was the Chilean film Young and Wild and director Marialy Rivas joined the audience in a Q & A after the screening. Also in attendance and committing their support to Side by Side was the Consul General of the Netherlands in Saint Petersburg Mr.Jennes de Mol, the Deputy Consul General of Great Britain Mr Ben Greenwood and delivering a video address was Ulrike Lunacek, a member of the European Parliament.

Russia’s Homophobic and Discriminatory Laws will not Silence Saint Petersburg’s Side by Side LGBT Film Festival which Starts 25th October and Runs through to 3 November, 2012.

In the face of increasing discrimination and violence towards the LGBT community in Russia organizers of the Side by Side LGBT Film Festival remain defiant. Throughout the course of the ten festival days maximum visibility and openness will be sort in order to bring the message of respect and human rights of LGBT people in Russia home to the public and authorities.

Celebrating Five Years of Side by Side LGBT Film Festival: Saint Petersburg, 25 October – 3 November, 2012.

Side by Side marks its 5th year anniversary festival in Saint Petersburg this coming autumn. The major theme for this year is local and global processes of the LGBT movement, exploring the discourses and practices relating to LGBT politics, activism, sexual and gender identity rights at local and global levels. Over the 10 festival days 38 films will be screened and among the countries providing the focus are China, Cuba, Uganda, Chile and South Africa, places where LGBT movements are still in their infancy and face great opposition. A first in the history of the festival will be the presentation of a programme of Russian films: The Beginning, compromising of new work from directors from around the country.

Side by Side Film LGBT Festival Organiser Speaks at Stadtfest, One of the Largest LGBT Events in Europe.

Following the  appearance on stage of Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit Side by Side Film Festival organizer, made a welcome speech at Stadfest where she was participating alongside the Teddy Award Fund in the annual street fair. Tanya informed the crowd concerning the situation in Russia and the recent adoption of various homophobic laws around the country.

Lynch Mob Like Tactics From Homophobic Youths and Inadequate Police Protection Force Side by Side LGBT Film Festival to Cancel the Third and Final Day of the Event in Novosibirsk.

On the second day of the Side by Side LGBT Film Festival in Novosibirsk organizers and audience came under serious threat from a homophobic mob of aggressive youths. The youths, numbering around 30 or so in total, had surrounded the shopping centre where the screening was taking place in a multiplex on the fourth floor of the building. Prior to the start, during and at the end of the event the youths gathered around the screening hall, shouting insults and it was clear from their discussions with each other and behavior that they were intent on violence.

Authorities in Kemerovo, Siberia side with Ultra Nationalists Bringing an End and Violence to the III Side by Side by Side LGBT Film Festival.

On 1 June, 2012 human rights Side by Side LGBT film festival, was scheduled to open in the Siberian town of Kemerovo. The third time the festival was to take place in the city, over the course of three days, through to 3rd June screenings and discussions on a range of LGBT issues were planned for. In the run up to the start of the festival, however, organizers began to receive threats of physical violence and attack from a far-right group, the Russian Patriot Club, who are based in a nearby town Novokuznetsk. The group, having already threatened festival visitors at a Side by Side event in March earlier in the year, were reported and made known to the police. The police however failed to act on the information given, taking no measures at all against the group following the March incident. 

Threats from Orthodox Religious Extremists Fail to Stop Opening of Side by Side LGBT Film Festival in Moscow.

Saint Petersburg based Side by Side LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Film Festival opened successfully yesterday evening on 26th April, 2012 despite threats of violence from an orthodox religious extremist group the Orthodox Brotherhood Union. Following threats in the lead up to the opening, Side by Side took additional security measures informing not only the Moscow police but the Ombudsman for Human Rights in Moscow and Russia and the prosecutor's office.
 

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival to Make its Capital Debut in Moscow 26 – 29 April, 2012

Saint Petersburg based Side by Side LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Film Festival is taking on the Russian capital for the first time bringing four days of film and discussion relating to LGBT rights and issues to the Moscow audience at the end of April.

200 Gathered in Berlin to Demonstrate Against Homophobic Policies of Russian Authorities.

A rally was held outside the Russian embassy in Berlin to demonstrate against the homophobic laws which are continuing to be introduced throughout various cities in Russia. The demonstration was attended by over 200 people including LGBT activists as well as members of the German Bundestag, the Berlin parliament and representatives from trade unions.
 

Berlin Demonstrates Against Saint Petersburg's Homophobic Law

The demonstration has been organized on the very same day that the Legislative Assembly in Saint Petersburg will hold the third and final reading of the bill which seeks to prohibit so-called "propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgender among minors." The two previous readings were backed by the majority of politicians and it is highly likely that the law will be passed.

Hostile Brutes with the Mentality of Nazi Racism - Stephen Fry’s View of Saint Petersburg Politicians, Russia.

As local authorities in the city of Saint Petersburg gear up to pass criminalising legislation which prohibits the promotion of so called "sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism to minors” reaction to the measures are reverberating around the world and harsh criticism from all quarters is gathering pace.

No Let Up on the Onslaught Against the LGBT Community by Russian Politicians.

Russian politicians are continuing their onslaught against the LGBT community by expanding the introduction of criminalising legislation around the country that prohibits the promotion of so called "sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism to minors." The implementation of the law prevents any organisation or an individual to promote what is described as “propaganda of homosexuality”. This initiative threatens a wide range of activities, such as demonstrations, speeches and events on LGBT human rights as well as provision of information about or to LGBT people within the public space.

Campaign Against Homophobic Bill Continues in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Over the past two weeks local LGBT activists in Saint Petersburg have been waging a rigorous campaign against the draft bill, proposed by Putin’s United Russia Party, which seeks to ban the promotion of "sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism to minors." The campaign conducted on a variety of fronts including petitions, protests outside the local parliament building, letters of complaint to politicians, bore out the fruits of success when yesterday on 30 November, 2011 deputies of the Saint Petersburg Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg postponed – for a consecutive week in a row - the second reading of the bill. 

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival Against the Introduction of Homophobic Amendments to the Administrative Code of St. Petersburg.

On 16 November 2011 in St. Petersburg LGBT and human rights activist gathered in front of the Saint Petersburg Parliament to protest against the possible introduction of amendments, which equated homosexuality, bisexuality and transgender with pedophilia, as well as impose a fine for public discussion of LGBT issues, treating it as "propaganda." The homophobic law is being proposed by Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party. 

Marc Almond, in a show of support for LGBT Rights in Russia, to Participate in the IV Side by Side LGBT Film Festival.

On the 21 October, 2011 the fourth Side by Side LGBT Film Festival opens in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Among the highlights this year is the participation of British performer Marc Almond in a new event format: “An Evening with a Star”, whereby the  Saint Petersburg audience will have the opportunity to join the singer in conversation after the screening of his chosen favourite film Victim (1961, UK, Basil Dearden) starring the legendary Dirk Bogarde. 

LGBT Organizations and Human Rights Activists Gather in Archangel (North West Russia) in an Attempt to Stop the Passing of a Homophobic Law in the Region, 20 – 21 September, 2011.

Under the guise of "protecting morality" Archangel Regional Authorities are attempting to push through a homophobic law which will effectively prohibit any public activity of LGBT organizations. The law is in clear violation of both the Constitution of the Russian Federation as well as articles 10.1, 11.1 and 14 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Russia is again attempting to recriminalize homosexual people.

Tomsk Administration’s Attempts to stop Lesbian and Gay Film Festival Prove to be in Vain.

Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival continuing its 2011 regional tour in Russia’s provinces came up against strong opposition from authorities in Tomsk, a city located in Siberia.

Double Victory for Side by Side LGBT Film Festival in Siberia, Russia.

Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival launched its 2011 regional tour in Siberia holding festivals in Novosibirsk, 19 – 22 May and Kemerovo, 20 – 22 May, 2011. Both the festivals ran their entirety and did not encounter any measures by the government to stop the events. For the mining city of Kemerovo this was especially a major achievement as in April, 2010 when the  first attempt to hold such a festival was made the local authorities effectively banned the event following pressure and threats on the venues who had agreed to hold the festival.

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival Launch Video Campaign: “Coming Out: Your Step towards Equality!”

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, has put together a three-minute video: “Coming Out: Your Step towards Equality!” in which Russian gay and lesbian people openly talk about their coming out and respectively how relatives and friends came to terms with their child’s, sibling’s or colleague’s homosexuality.

Side by Side Receives a Warmer Reception in Siberia

At the beginning of February, 2011 Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival launched this year’s regional festival programme with a series of one-off screenings of the cult 1989 GDR film “Coming Out” by director Heiner Carow in two Siberian cities Novosibirsk and Kemerovo with the support of the Goethe Institute.

Closing of III Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival Covered by State Russian Television

Russia’s only lesbian and gay film festival Side by Side closing award ceremony on the 23 October, 2010  took place with full attention of the countries state run television channel “Rossyia”. Over the course of two days – Sunday, 24th October and Monday, 25th October - the channel delivered neutral to positive news bulletins at prime time viewing.  

III International Side by Side Film Festival Starts!

Russia’s only Lesbian and Gay film festival Side by Side kicked off at 19.30 on 15 October 2010 at cinema multiplex Varshavsky Express in St. Petersburg.The packed house and festive atmosphere in the cinema hall was both a joy and a surprise for the participants and organizers of Russia’s first and only LGBT film festival. As Manny de Guerre, festival founder, noted for the first time in three years since the founding of the festival this was the most the most celebratory-like opening of the festival. For the very first time the opening of the festival in Saint Petersburg took place in a regular cinema hall. The opening was highly attended and many were left without seating, visitors crowding the steps of the cinema hall. This year’s festival garnered the support of both European cultural institutes, Russian and foreign filmmakers.
 

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, Russia gains backing of Pedro Almodovar, Gus Van Sant and Ken Loach.

Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival which will be held from 15 – 23 October, 2010 in Saint Petersburg, Russia has garnered the support of key figures from world cinema including Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, American director Gus Van Sant and British filmmaker Ken Loach. 

Underlining the festivals significance Ken Loach noted its importance in its contribution to the fight against homophobia and transphobia in Russia: “You are making a brave stand on an important principle: no discrimination on the basis of gender or sexuality. Prejudice comes from ignorance. You are helping dispel that. With warmest good wishes."

Side by Side Lesbian and Gay Film Festival Tests Saint Petersburg’s Tolerance Level for the Third Year Running.

Russia’s only lesbian and gay film festival, Side by Side, is gearing up for its third season of films and discussions set to take place in the city of Saint Petersburg from the 15 – 23 October, 2010. 

III Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival Scheduled in St. Petersburg 15-23 October, 2010

In the region of 40 films from all corners of the globe will be screened at this year’s LGBT film festival in Saint Petersburg. The festival program will include recent winners of international films festivals as well as films from the past. The presence of sexual and gender minorities in the past, present and future as well as tolerance and homophobia in modern society in different countries are the major themes uniting the films. 

Saint Petersburg Public Discuss Lesbian and Gay Rights.

This weekend the Saint Petersburg public have the unique opportunity to discuss the issue of LGBT rights with leading German gay activist Wieland Speck. Wieland Speck will be participating in a special two day event: Cinema and Civil Activism organized by Side by Side LGBT Film Festival in cooperation with the Goethe Institute in Saint Petersburg.

Statement from Festival Organizers Alexey Levin and Maria Shulaeva on the Closing Down of Side by Side in Kemerovo

Events that unfolded in Kemerovo in regards to the Side by Side Film Festival showed unfortunately that the bulk of society was not ready to withstand the test of tolerance.

First Regional Side by Side LGBT Film Festivals held in Siberia: Support and Opposition. The Fight Goes On.

Saint Petersburg LGBT Film Festival Side by Side assesses the Siberian leg of their 2010 tour of the Russian Federation.

Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival receives prize from the Teddy Award Foundation at this years 60th Berlin International Film Festival.

The Teddy Award Foundation has awarded Russia’s first annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) film festival Side by Side a monetary prize of 2000 Euros. The prize was awarded on the opening evening of the 24th Teddy Award by Klaus Mabel Aschenneller director of the Teddy Award Foundation in recognition of Side by Side’s valuable work fighting for LGBT rights in Russia.

Third Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival Accepting Submissions from 11th January – 30th June, 2010

The third annual Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival, scheduled for the autumn between the 15 – 22 October, 2010, is currently accepting film and video submissions.

Russia’s First Annual LGBT Film Festival Side by Side Sets its Sites Further and goes Nationwide in 2010.

In 2010 Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival will move beyond the confines of the Russian North West and into other regions across the Federation. Staggered throughout the year are four three-day film festivals in various locales stretching as far as Siberia.

Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival by Professor Dr Igor S. Kon

At the end of October I had the honour to be a jury member of Side by Side LGBT film festival in St. Petersburg. It was an incredibly important cultural event. People with unconventional gender identity and sexual orientation are an organic part of our society and world culture. Artistic, including cinematographic, reflection and perception of their problems gives us a better understanding of not only them but also of ourselves.

Second Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival Announces 2009 Winners

On 31st October Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival announced the winners for 2009. Competition categories were Best Social Film, Best Enlightening Film, Best Film Representing Human Value and Audience Award.

The Second Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival Starts!

The 1919 film from the Weimar Republic Different from Others directed by Richard Oswald opens the second Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival on 23rd October. On the jury board this year is sociologist Igor Kon, Art Director of OPEN CINEMA film festival Tamara Larina, human rights activist Nina Tagankina, Director of AHOI Culture Mahide Lein and  Director of INOEKINO Sergey Baidak. Competition categories are Best Social Film, Best Enlightening Film, Best Film Representing Human Value and Audience Award. The jury will make their selection from over twenty films.

Side by Side to Screen LGBT Films from the Weimar Republic

At this years second Side by Side International Film Festival a retrospective of LGBT films from the Weimar Republic will be shown. Early classics Different from Others, directed by Richard Oswald (1919), Michael (1924), directed by Karl Theodor Dryer and Girls in Uniform (1931) directed by Leontine Sagan are included on the programme.