Painting the Spectrum - Celebrating love in all its diversity : SASOD's LGBT Film Festival

History of the festival
SASOD is a group of people who are committed to promoting the Human Rights and Dignity of all citizens regardless of race, creed,gender, sexual orientation and disability. Our home is Guyana, located on the northeast corner of the South American continent. Guyana is a country of exceptional natural beauty with a combination of taste of the Caribbean and South America. Guyana's multicultural ethnic heritage is drawn from the indigenous Amerindians, and from Africa, India, China and Europe.

In October of 2005 the members of SASOD agreed to organize and host a series of films which contributed to raising awareness of the dynamics of same gender loving people. This was a significant first step for Guyana and for the members of SASOD, in a country where there are penalties for consensual same-sex relations and discriminatory laws against cross-dressing as a form of gender expression. This was followed by the second, third and fourth film festivals which were held in June of 2006, June of 2007, June 2008, June 2009 , June 2010 and June 2011, relying on contributions from directors and producers. The next one is scheduled for June 2012.

We use a format of a free non-competitive event which is used to affirm sexual diversity in a society which is reluctant to accept people who do not confirm to heterosexual norms.

The festivals have screened films from all over the world which feature stories about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. The festivals have included documentaries, shorts and feature films

The festival is a free non-competitive event, and the screenings are hosted free of charge to the audience

Previous Festivals

Submissions
Submissions must be made on DVD. We do not have funds to pay for screening rights or associated fees. DVDs have been donated or been posted on loan, and returned after completion of the festival

Expressions of interest could be made to sasod_guyana at yahoo dot com .

Previous Spectrum in the Caribbean media
"Caribbean Beat Article May/June 2008"
Daily Herald of St Maarten - 20 July, 2008
Guyana Chronicle : 23 October 2005

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