Lesbian Film Fest in Northampton April 16

Edie and Thea will be screened.

The second annual Lesbian Film Fest will be a celebration of love with three films being screened - one feature and two shorts. The three together run about two hours.

Presented by Out! For Reel LGBT Film Series, it is a rare opportunity to see films that rarely make it to theaters or television. It takes place Friday April 16, beginning with a Social Hour at 6:30 and the screenings at 7:30 at the Academy of Music Theatre in Northampton.

These events draw a good sized crowd who don't want the fun to end, so there is an After Party as well, in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Northampton. Last year there were more than 300 attendees. And some of the Out! For Reel events have drawn a capacity audience of 800. Impressive operation, led by Jaime Michaels and dozens of energetic film lovers.

She is excited about this year's offerings. I love her description of the event: "Imagine the comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer as your couples therapist, or surviving dating disasters, or being in a committed relationship for 42 years - a variety of experiences all in one night - that's the fun of the Lesbian Film Fest."

Jaime promises that those who make the trek to Northampton from the Berkshires "Will be touched deeply and you will be laughing out loud all in the same evening. We hope our Berkshire sisters Join us for the After Party at our elegant Hotel Northampton's Grand Ballroom with great music by DJ Jodi, food, and lots of Pioneer Valley women."

Edie and Thea

The makers of The Brandon Teena Story return with an empowering but intimate film centred around a 42-year passionate romance between two women - Edie and Thea. Beginning pre-Stonewall, Edie and Thea's relationship gives us an inspiring glimpse into lesbian life, love and activism since the 1960s.

Unable to achieve marriage in their home country, Edie and Thea, the latter recently diagnosed with a terminal illness, leave for Canada to legalise their vows with the country's first openly gay judge. As they face into the unknown, Edie and Thea: A Very Long Engagement has something to enlighten, impress and move us all. (61 minutes)

We Have to Stop Now

Couples therapy has never been this funny! Comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer stars as a couples therapist who tries to save a lesbian couple from the brink of divorce. This power couple, who wrote a runaway bestseller on the success of marriage, gives Suzanne quite a run for her money. (Best episodes from this popular lesbian web series – 36 minutes)

Falling For Caroline

A hilarious, heartwarming comedy about a cute but klutzy young woman who must overcome her dating blunders, her friend’s wrong fashion advice, and the bad lesbian habit of over-analyzing every detail. You can’t help but root for her in her quest to find true love. (20 minutes)

There's a great deal for those who buy in advance. You can get a Combo Ticket: for only $20 which includes $12.50 Fest + $7.50 Party admissions. For more information, go to  www.OutForReel.org Order now, prices are higher if you wait too long.