Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival 2008

Kick off the Halloween season and wrap up the festival’s 13th year with Elvira, the spookiest gay icon of them all, appearing in person to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK. The unforgettable character of Elvira was created by actress Cassandra Peterson with the help of her gay best friend, makeup artist and costume designer Robert Redding. After making her debut in 1981 as host of “Movie Macabre” on KHJ-TV in Los Angeles, Elvira went on to appear in over 50 films and television shows. A tireless promoter of gay rights and AIDS awareness, Elvira has appeared in gay pride parades around the world and donated proceeds from her appearances to queer-friendly causes. In her creepy and comical feature film debut, Elvira plays a struggling TV hostess who dreams of finding fame and fortune as a Las Vegas showgirl. When a long-lost aunt’s inheritance takes her to the uptight town of Falwell, Massachusetts, sexy and spooky Elvira becomes an odd outsider struggling for acceptance, a position that any queer person can likely relate to. Featuring lighthearted jabs at conservative fundamentalism, ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK is a hilarious horror parody that’s not afraid to poke fun at just about everything, including itself. Before the movie, underground drag phenomenon Peaches Christ joins Elvira for a fun and revealing onstage interview. When these two over-the-top, underdressed gals get to gossiping, nothing’s too shocking and everything goes. Closing Night Gala: The Black Cat Ball Close your festival experience properly with a spooktacular ball featuring sumptuous food, beverages, a bevy of your newfound festival-going friends, and DJ El Toro, who will be spinning a web of tunes. Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle 2125 Terry Avenue Your film ticket (or Festival/Party Pass) includes the gala.

Young Karsten has the perfect summer plan: a trip to Spain with his friends, flitting from beach to beach, surrounded by beautiful young men. He will leave his horoscope writing job—-and his parents—-far behind. Unfortunately for Karsten, his overbearing father has a very different idea. A clothing salesman secretly nearing bankruptcy, Karsten’s father saddles him with the job of driving him around on his route. This, however, only puts further strain on the already tense relationship between Karsten’s parents. Karsten has a long summer ahead of him.... But things become more interesting when a handsome stranger strikes up a flirtation with Karsten—and more complicated when he realizes his new beau is his father’s arch-nemesis in the cutthroat world of fashion. A quirky and colorful ride through the German countryside, FASHION VICTIMS uses humor and charm to spin this yarn of romance and finance. Who knew the world of fashion sales could be so cutting? ASL Interpreting before the film.