What's hot at NewFest 2009?

The Art of Being Straight, The Boy With The Sun in His Eyes

The New York LGBT Film Festival is almost upon us, and we'd take a look at some of the most promising-looking offerings. NewFest (which this year is being presented by our parent company, Logo) will run from June 4-11, with the opening night entry a date with Mr. Right:

Mr. Right

"The aspirations and romantic tensions of a group of London gay men come to life in this vibrant rom com set against a hip soundtrack. A soap star, a reality TV producer, a model, a rugby star and father, and their fag hag see old ties begin to fray over a summer that their friendships may not survive, in NewFest’s opening night gala event."

Join us below for a look at a few of NewFest's other entries ... and there's absolutely no truth to the assertion that I picked these particular films based on how shirtless their promo pics are.

The Art of Being Straight

"Bored with New York City, twenty-something Jon moves to Los Angeles to stay with his best friend Andy and his frat boy buddies. While working at an advertising firm Jon finds himself wondering why he's attracted to his older gay boss. As Jon attempts to untangle his complicated sexuality, his good friend Maddy puts her lesbian relationship in jeopardy when she finds herself attracted to a scruffy male hipster. Eschewing traditional notions of black-and-white sexuality, this mature piece represents the next generation of gay film."

The Boy With The Sun in His Eyes

"After his best friend Kevin commits suicide, John decides his life needs a change and he spontaneously heads off to Europe to follow Kevin's muse Solange, a minor pop music diva and eccentric B-movie actress. As the odd pair become embroiled in a world of sex, drugs, and murder the boundaries of trust start to wear thin and John begins to wonder whether Solange is the victim of a bizarre lifestyle or its mastermind. Shot on location in Europe and featuring a killer soundtrack, Todd Verow's most recent film is an homage to 80's cinema and a fun installment in the prolific director's portfolio."

Give me Your Hand

"Antoine and Quentin are identical twin brothers trekking across country to attend their mother's funeral in Spain, pausing only to take on day labor, wrestle, or hook up along the way. As their adventure unfolds an understanding of the brothers' complex relationship emerges and undeniable truths begin to surface. Sublime in context and rich with breathtaking cinematography, Pascal-Alex Vincent's Give Me Your Hand is a very strong debut from a promising new filmmaker."

Misconceptions

"Miranda Bliss (A.J. Cook) is a conservative Christian Southern woman who believes she's received a mission from God: to carry a baby for two gay men she's never met. When the two men - Sandy (David Moscow) and Terry (Orlando Jones) - come stay with the newfound surrogate mom and her unsuspecting husband (David Sutcliffe), the tensions between religion, politics, culture, and sexuality reach a fever pitch. The couples and small town community are soon challenged to work through their vast differences in time for the ultimate challenge: modern parenthood."

Nonsense Revolution

"A close-knit group of teenaged friends are torn apart after the unexpected death of their bisexual friend, Caz. A year has passed since the accident and only one girl, Tess, also bisexual, is wiling to talk about that tragic night. Caz suddenly reappears as an eternally-horny guardian angel, who only Tess can see and it's up to Tess to reunite the fractured group so Caz can move on in the afterlife."

Raging Sun, Raging Sky

"The final installment in Julian Hernandez's trilogy, following A Thousands Clouds of Peace and Broken Sky, is an epic, must-see masterpiece. Tapping into the mythological eroticism explored in such gay classics as Pink Narcissus and Sebastiane, this lengthy, award-winning film follows Kieri on his journey to be reunited with his lover Ryo. Kieri travels from bathhouses to majestic mountaintops, shedding clothes and baring his soul, and stopping at nothing to find Ryo."

Rivers Wash Over Me

"A gay NYC teen faces devastating challenges when he’s sent to live with family in the South. Racial and sexual politics take their toll on a family, and ultimately a community, in this unique and powerful drama about coming to terms with oneself against terrible odds."

Shank

"Eighteen year-old gang member Cal spends his time doing drugs, recording his sexual encounters on a cell phone, and committing random acts of violence with pals Jonno and Nessa. Cal faces the gang's backlash when he jumps in to protect a French exchange student from Jonno and Nessa's abuse. Cal's attempt to connect with the student leads to his facing down class barriers and societal pressure, as well as struggles with his own identity. Gritty and hypersexual, Shank is a truly modern coming of age film."

Smile 'Til it Hurts: The Up With People Story

"The amazing true story of the singing phenomenon Up With People, a performing youth group formed by an ultra-conservative religious sect in answer to the 1960’s counter culture movement. This curious tale reveals how the Moral Re-Armament religious movement created this performing group made up of both multiple closeted performers as well as great talents including a young Glenn Close. Was Up With People an uplifting symbol of the power of positive thinking, or a propaganda tool for everyone from the Nixon administration to America’s biggest corporations?"

Pop Star on Ice

Closing Night: "Olympic skater and three-time National Champion Johnny Weir taught Kathy Griffin to skate, modeled for Heatherette, and rocked the skating world with his irreverent public remarks. This playful documentary reveals how a young Russophile and Chihuahua lover from rural Pennsylvania rose to pop stardom."

Any of these films wet your whistle?