Austin Community Events Offer Fun in the Sun for LGBT

Austin, Texas is a city unlike any other in Texas. This highly liberal city is often known as the Mecca for the LGBT community. While there are activities that are constantly taking place around the city with the LGBT community in mind, there are several community events that outshine the rest.

The Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival is a prime example of LGBT cinematography at its best. Austin residents as well as national and international contestants are encouraged to enter the yearly competition. The local sights and sounds of Austin create a beautiful backdrop to many for the films. This annual event brings the biggest and best in independent film makers, as it focuses around coming out stories and delivers AIDS awareness. 2008 marks the 21st annual GLIFF event, spearheading future community awareness through education and outreach services.

My Gay Movie, also known as MGM, is a film competition that is having its 7th annual celebrations at the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival. This film competition is open to all first-time film makers. The film must be no longer than 10 minutes, and offer a sensible side to the LGBT community and lifestyle. A cash prize of $500.00 and a large representation of the winnings is at stake for this competition, making it a fierce film contest to win.

Austin gay youth are also encouraged to attend the Austin GLIFF festivities. This is a program aimed at the LGBT youth in Austin, aged 13-19. This exposure is essential to bringing awareness to the youth, and an exposure to the LGBT lifestyle. The Gay Youth Media Project is an essential portion of the entire GLIFF experience.