June 2013 RETURN TO HOME PAGE FEEDBACK

Actress Elizabeth Taylor’s campaign for more AIDS research is documented in The Battle of amfAR, a film directed by local filmmakers Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein. It will be shown June 26 at the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival.

The San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival presents its annual showcase of “the best in queer cinema” this month, airing more than 100 films, including a documentary by an Academy Award–winning Noe Valley resident.

An estimated 60,000 people are expected to attend the event, which runs June 20 to 30 at the Castro, Roxie, and Victoria theaters in San Francisco, and the Rialto Elmwood in Berkeley.

Films for the 37th festival range from a five-minute musical video to full-length documentaries and dramas—all exploring some facet of the LGBT experience. Thirty countries will be represented, as well as many U.S. and local filmmakers.

Oscar-winning directors Jeffrey Friedman of Noe Valley and Rob Epstein of the Castro District will present The Battle of amfAR, a 40-minute documentary that focuses on Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor and research scientist Dr. Mathilde Krim, who in 1985 cofounded the American Foundation for AIDS Research. The 2013 film plays June 26, 4:30 p.m., at the Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St.

Two well-known Mission District locales also are featured this year. Director Paris Poirier reprises Last Call at Maud’s, a 1993 documentary about the long-running lesbian bar on Valencia Street, on June 29. On June 21 you can see the 2012Kink, which unveils how fetish porn films are made within the confines of the old Armory at Mission and 14th streets.

The festival kicks off with Concussion, “a sexy and daring breakthrough drama about a wealthy lesbian housewife whose straight-laced lifestyle takes a drastic and rebellious turn following a head injury.” Writer/director Stacie Passon’s debut feature shows June 20, 7 p.m., at the Castro.

Closing the festival on June 30 will be G.B.F., “a timely feel-good comedy about a recently outed gay teen,” starring Michael J. Willett, Megan Mullally, and Natasha Lyonne. Information about show times and ticket prices can be found at www.frameline.org.