inside LOWER EAST SIDE FILM FEST: FLAMER X SOFACLUB

Thursday May 1st - Monday the 5th hundreds gathered each day at the Village East by Angelika for the annual Lower East Side Film Festival (LESFF). FLAMER made its debut to the film scene through a collaboration with dispensary partner SOFACLUB.  

photography: 35mm by Matías Alvial + Paloma Huntington-Ortega

FLAMER X SOFACLUB

;)

FLAMER X SOFACLUB ;)

from celebrity guests like Demi Moore and Jeremy O. Harris, the LESFF was the place to be this past weekend. FLAMER + SOFACLUB provided the good vibes across the way from the mini red carpet photo opp so guests could grab some goodies before taking their seats in the Moorish-Revival-style-theater. 

the FLAMER table was dressed for this film-fueled occasion. from glass ash trays glittered with popcorn to an old TV with joinks dripping out a top a white lace cloth, the booth was reminiscent of watching a VHS film in your grandma’s living room. a fan favorite from our table—besides the FLAMER + SOFACLUB goodies—was the red lip-shaped-telephone smoking a red joink. we shared nearly 500 joinks with festival goers and special goodie bags for the filmmakers, and actors. 

throughout the weekend, the chic FLAMER X SOFACLUB short played before each film like a cheeky commercial. Sit With, directed by Danny Scott Lane + produced by current services, not only visualized this partnership, but tapped into the unique experience of sitting with someone at the park and sparking up a joink. it’s about community and honoring the home of the film fest, East Village.

we caught a few of the films like The True Beauty of Being Bitten By a Tick and The Big Johnson–funny enough, which were the most queer films in the selection… go figure. 

support queer films!

support queer films! ★

The True Beauty of Being Bitten By a Tick is the brain child of Zöe Chao, James Cusati-Moyer, and Jeremy O. Harris, who also acted in the film. it was a fun spin on the eerie vibe of a culty small town and it was very very weird, but in the best way. and i’m no movie critic or letterboxed reviewer buuuut… if you like a slow burn with smart comedic quips that has you on edge the whole time, you’ll enjoy this film. 

ALSO there was a performer at the after party dressed head to toe as a TICK…now that’s drag. 

speaking of drag…The Big Johnson premiered for the first time in NYC as the festival’s closing film. this feature is a love letter to Dean Johnson and NYC’s vibrant queer culture during the AIDs Crisis of the 80s and 90s. this film not only was a biography on Dean and his wondrous life as the sex positive 7 foot bald drag queen of the time, but was an engaging piece of queer history. the theater was filled to the brim with  young queers, elder queens, and everything in between. there was this tangible energy between the people that knew Dean and took part in telling his story—it was like his spirit was with the audience. The Big Johnson is a MUST SEE, we’re all manifesting that it gets picked up for distribution or streaming… pls pls pretty pls<3 

this weekend was nothing short of an inspiring experience where various communities of movie-lovers gathered under one roof to enjoy some good ol cinema AND joinks. 

Shop FLAMER at Sofa Club <3 and remember, there’s nothing quite like sharing a joink with friends and watching a movie ;)

Previous
Previous

musician ORI.MP3: the bimbo of our dreams

Next
Next

FLAMER QUEER CHURCH WAS THE BEST 420 YET