November 3rd Edmonton will kick-off its second annual LGBTQ film festival at Metro Cinema. Roughly three years ago, The Global Visions Festival Society realized that Edmonton was the only city in Canada that didn’t have an LGBTQ film festival. "Realizing this was a glaring omission in our city’s cultural calendar, and we decided to start our own," said Festival Director Guy Lavallee.

After successfully putting on Northwestfest (formerly known as ‘Global Visions’) for the past four years, The Global Visions Festival Society staff and board of directors decided a fall presence was one of the organization’s long-term goals. "We stated – from the very start – that we were making at least a three-year commitment to get the festival known and established with audiences," said Lavallee. The LGBTQ programming stream during Northwestfest was known as Rainbow Visions so, when it was decided to make it into its own festival, the name seemed like a natural – and catchy – fit.

A major difference in this year’s Rainbow Visions is that, for the first time, the festival accepted film submissions. This saw the committee receive so many outstanding works that Rainbow Visions decided to feature a short film screening in front of every feature film this year. "The quality of the films we were able to attract this year is absolutely outstanding, and I truly believe audiences will be very happy with what they see," said Lavallee.

What can attendees expect during the four-day festival? "Great stories, romantic stories, comedic stories, sexual stories, dramatic stories, and some of the best short films you will see anywhere in 2016," said Lavallee. On the night of Friday, November 4th, presenting partner, RBC, and key community partner, Edmonton Pride Festival, will co-host the screenings complete with swag, popcorn and other goodies. Edmonton Men’s Health Collective will host the 18+ evening on November 5th that will include two films (Pushing Dead and Paris 5:59), a DJ, cash bar and many more surprises.

"Most of all, we really want this festival to be a fun experience for our patrons," said Lavallee.

The outpour of thankfulness from people who attended last year serves as fuel for staff and volunteers amid preparation for this year. "There were so many audience members, last year, who were so genuinely moved and genuinely thankful to have a festival like this one in Edmonton," said Lavallee. "We take our role as the creators and curators of this festival very seriously."

The only film festival of its kind in Edmonton, Rainbow Visions offers a variety of films wherein audiences can expect to see stories that appeal to every member of the LGBTQ community.

Tickets for the festival can be purchased at the Rainbow Visions website. "Our goal is to put on a festival people will love, and one that will be part of the local cultural calendar for years to come," said Lavallee.

From full weekend passes, four-ticket sharable packs (a great money saver for you and friends), and advance individual tickets for every film screening all weekend-long, there’s sure to be something for everyone.

Check out the trailers for three features you can catch during the event:

PUSHING DEAD TRAILER from PD on Vimeo.

MAJOR! official trailer from StormMiguel Florez on Vimeo.