The worst fear of many closeted teens came true for 16-year-old Zach Stark in 2005, when his parents sent him against his will to a camp run by the ex-gay Christian reform group “Love In Action.” Depressed and fearful, Zach began blogging, and from this “modern-day message in a bottle,” news of his plight spread internationally. Featuring interviews with activists, ex-clients, psychologists, the Rev. John Smid (director of Love In Action during Zach’s internment), and, for the first time, Zach himself, this inspirational documentary recounts the events that resulted from a young man’s cry for help. (Description courtesy of the Seattle Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.)

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A beautifully told love story of what happens when one woman finally follows her heart. Mia and Frida meet for the first time at their respective parents’ engagement party. As their eyes meet over the champagne toast, both women recognise a deep attraction for each other. But standing in their way is Tim, Mia’s long term boyfriend and business partner, who has just asked Mia to marry him. Thrown together by circumstance, Mia finds it hard to resist acting on her desires for the beautiful and openly gay Frida. Although she insists it was just a one-time thing, she is drawn to the other woman as strongly as Frida is drawn to her. Realising the love and acceptance she experiences with Frida is what she truly wants in life, Mia’s actions have the potential to turn everyone’s lives upside down. How far will she go to keep the woman of her dreams? A beautiful and sensual film told elegantly by Keining with strong performances by all involved. (Description courtesy of Emma Smart, BFI London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.)

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We are pleased close the 28th Annual Film Festival with the area premiere of director/producer Richard LeMay's (2010 festival closer Children of God, 200 American) stunning family drama Naked As We Came. Shot entirely in Massachusetts and staring a stunning ensemble including Ryan Vigilant of Gossip Girl and Karmine Alers, (Mimi in Rent), Naked As We Came is a story about letting go of the past and recreating family relationships. After an unexpected phone call, Laura and her brother Elliot rush to their family's country estate to find their mother, Lilly, gravely ill and living with a handsome young stranger named Ted. Their mother's condition sets Laura and Elliot on a path to realizing where their own lives have gone wrong. Love, loss and hope are all explored in this powerful drama, which asks the question: What is your dream?

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