Introduction to Reel Out Film Festival

As I had the privilege to be able to attend Kingston’s 21st Annual Reel Out Film Festival in order to watch The Garden Left Behind, the authenticity of the movie theater had made the experience all the more memorable. Kingston’s small-town atmosphere is clearly felt at The Screening Room whose ticket process consists of using beads in order to be admitted. While the beads added an adorable touch, the staff immediately had greeted us with friendly compliments and greetings which made the environment feel comfortable and safe. Speaking of the environment, there were as well numerous representatives from the LGBTQ community present in the audience and who had helped mediate discussions before and after the film. The ability for people part of the transgender community to give their own input allowed the purpose and importance of the topic discussed, transgender violence, to be evident during the film experience. After the film viewing had finished, two speakers had begun moderating a discussion and asked powerful questions surrounding the film topic in order to better analyze the film shown. They had asked really important questions such as “what were factors that had accumulated and lead to Tina’s depressed state at the end of the film?” and “why did Chris choose to murder Tina in the end?” which allowed the audience to critically think about what events they had just viewed. The answers which were given by heterosexual audience members, members of the LGBTQ community and members of the transgender community themselves had expanded our film analysis to encompass multiple perspectives from a variety of different people. The discussion exposed the passion and clear stake some audience members had on the topic of transgender violence while also allowing people to discuss any possible symbolism or ideas which might’ve been missed during the initial film screening. Although the film was clearly amateur made, this in return made the film and experience even more intimate and genuine through the use of actors who specifically fit the characters they are asked to play. Transgender actors played transgender parts and minorities played minority roles. The entire overall experience felt more intimate and genuine as opposed to viewing the film at a mainstream cinema whose employees’ kindness is rooted in mandatory customer service rather than homegrown manners found in small-town businesses. With this in mind, it is safe to say The Reel Out Film Festival can easily be deemed as a Kingston classic and must-attend event.