“It really is about love — it’s not about anything else.”
Director Whitney Hamilton was referring to the Alabama Marriage Protection Act, but may as well have also been referring to her short romantic comedy Picnics are Gay, which will premier during SHOUT LGBTQ Film Festival on Sunday, Aug. 30, at 11:30 a.m.
SHOUT was established by the Alabama Moving Image Association 10 years ago to feature full-length, short and documentary films that address the interests of the South’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer communities. The only festival of its kind in Alabama, SHOUT shares weekend dates and locations with Sidewalk Film Fest.
Hamilton studied art at Birmingham Southern College and moved to New York after graduation, but has recently been spending a great deal of her time in Birmingham working on film projects like Picnics and the Civil War epic Union, which also explores same-sex relationships. She was quick to note the changes that have taken place in the city’s acceptance of diversity.
“When I lived in Birmingham, it wasn’t as progressive as it is now,” Hamilton said. “I was here in February when the marriage equality act passed — and all of the kerfuffle that happened as a result — and there were a lot of people that came out to support. It was really inspiring.”
Picnics are Gay, written by and starring Nancy Tran, is one of the few lighter movies this year at SHOUT. Slated as a rom-com, the 5-minute 39-second film is about a single Asian woman in her 40s “with sociopathic tendencies,” who owns and operates a picnic business (it may be noted here that writer-actress Tran is the founder of Birmingham’s own outdoor dining experience company I Love Picnics). One evening, she meets a woman (played by Michelle Pieroni) at a local restaurant, starts a conversation and the rest is serendipity.
Filmed in Forest Park’s Little Savannah, Tran called upon Hamilton’s trained artistic eye to help direct her vision for Picnics.
“[Film] is a visual medium, and I know that when I look at certain paintings they make me feel a certain way, especially when you see them in person and not in a photograph,” Hamilton said. “You actually see how the painter painted that. There’s just something that happens, and you can create that same feeling when you’re making a film visually impactful.”
Though Hamilton still calls Brooklyn home, the director admitted the pull to continue making movies in Alabama is too strong to resist.
“All of those little black box theatre companies [in New York] have fallen by the wayside because of the high rent,” she said. “So that’s what makes Birmingham and the South exciting. It’s affordable, and people are so willing to give artists the chance, you know?”
And about SHOUT and Sidewalk?
“I have to say that it is one of the best festivals that I’ve been to, and I’ve been to festivals in New York and the Midwest and California, and Sidewalk — it is such a great festival, and especially for filmmakers,” Hamilton said, immeasurable excitement in her voice.
Picnics are Gay is part of Sunday SHOUT Shorts, which begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Alabama School of Fine Arts Recital Hall, 1800 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd. For a complete SHOUT schedule, visit bhamshout.com.
Other Films to See at SHOUT
The State of Being Human — A world premiere, The State of Being Human is an unflinching account of one man’s (and two nations’) genuine search for understanding. Irish filmmaker David Merriman attempts to trace the origins of his homophobia. The documentarian travels from Dublin to Montgomery to record the stories of members of the LGBTQ community, interviews with the Southern Poverty Law Center and the statements of religious officials and politicians, notably Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore. ASFA Lecture Hall. 1800 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd. Saturday, Aug. 29, 8–9:22 p.m.
Bare — Dianna Agron (Glee) stars as Sarah in Natalia Leite’s narrative feature and directorial debut, Bare. A modern twist on the age-old notion that opposites attract, the unpredictable, free-spirited Pepper (played by Paz de la Huerta) mesmerizes the careful, artistic Sarah. A chance encounter leads to infatuation and, eventually, romance with all of its breakneck grace, devastating insecurity and clash of personalities. The Alabama Theatre. 1817 Third Ave. N. Saturday, Aug. 29, 10:20–11:48 p.m.
Do I Sound Gay? — Journalist David Thorpe examines the vocal patterns, assumptions and misconceptions behind “sounding gay.” Margaret Cho, David Sedaris, George Takei and Dan Savage lend advice and share their personal stories in this humorous and touching documentary that challenges instantaneous judgment. The Carver Theatre. 1631 Fourth Ave. N. Saturday, Aug. 29, 2:15–3:33 p.m.
Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party — This coming of age drama is about a 17-year-old discovering his sexual identity against stringent backdrop of his conservative Christian upbringing. Tensions are at a peak as Henry’s church friends, schoolmates and family members celebrate his birthday with a summer pool party. Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre. 1800 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd. Sunday, Aug. 30, 7:25–8:52 p.m.