To Connect and Celebrate The Diversity of The Community Through The Art of Cinema by Producing an annual Provocative Festival Showcasing Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender and Queer Filmmakers and to Inspire Transformative Experiences Individually by sharing Diverse Perspectives within the Community.
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Executive Festival Director - Chris Durant
A native of Minneapolis, Chris Durant has delved into the artistic realm of music, film and theatre throughout his life. Chris studied filmmaking, screenwriting, theatre and music at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Out Twin Cities Film Festival was founded by Chris Durant in January 2010, with the goal to help fill a void in the Minnesota's GLBTQ cinema community. In 2009, he created a local mock-reality show: ‘The Show So Gay.’ In 2011, he co-wrote and directed ‘Genderf*kation,’ a documentary that focuses on six individuals and their struggles and triumphs around social, political and religious ideologies and gender non-conformity. An artist, activist and humanitarian.
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Board Member at Large - Perry Lueders
Perry will plunge into his 51st year of teaching next year. He taught at Southwest Minnesota State U for 30 years, and directed operas, musicals and lots of plays for the rural residents of SW Minnesota and South Dakota. Nowadays he works as an ESL specialist for St. Kate's Learning Center (Minneapolis Campus), sits on the Board of Directors for Screenwriters' Workshop, acts old man parts in local movies -- and has found time to write plays, film scripts and poems.
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Out Twin Cities Film Festival Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors consists of dedicated individuals from varying backgrounds who are passionate about producing a film festival that connects and celebrates the GLBTQA community through film and art.
The OUT Twin Cities Film Festival was founded in January, 2010 and it was first held at the historic Heights Theatre in Columbia Height, Minnesota, during the first weekend in June. In 2011, OTCFF relocated to St. Anthony Main Theatre, in downtown Minneapolis and has featured local, national and international Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer film content since its beginning.
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Secretary/Treasurer - Donovan Harmel
Donovan Harmel is a native of Rugby, North Dakota, where he was active in the arts. He was active in music in high school and a church organist for 18 years. In 1972 he helped organize Village Arts, Inc. which sponsored community theatre, choir, orchestra, literary magazine, and scholarships to the International Music Camp. He served as vice chair and chair person before moving to the Twin Cities. Donovan Harmel has served on the Out Twin Cities Film Festival board since it's first planning stages. He is also one of the Producers and assistant editor of 'Genderf*kation: A Gender Emancipation.'
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Education Coordinator - Ryan Strandjord
Ryan is a Minneapolis native who focuses on filmmaking, producing, and community organizing. He’s currently developing and in post-production on several projects including three films. His latest film, City Boots, is making its world premiere at the upcoming Minneapolis/St.Paul International Film Festival. In 2012 he also became the Education Coordinator for the Twin Cities Film Fest and joined the staff of the Twin Cities Actor Expo. He’s the founder of Directors’ Workshop, has directed nearly a dozen short films since 2005, produced the Minneapolis Film Race from 2007-10 and the Minneapolis 48 Hour Film Project from 2011-2012. You can find out more at: www.ryanstrandjord.com
