Queer Lion in Venice

Films featuring gay themes or characters are to take centre stage at this year's Venice film festival, with the introduction of a new award. The "Queer Lion" award will sit alongside the regular Golden Lion award, with the aim of highlighting and honouring films that represent aspects of gay culture.

Venice's competition follows the lead of the Berlin film festival, which has awarded its own gay film award - the Teddy - for the past 21 years. "We aren't looking for the next Brokeback Mountain," competition director Daniel Casagrande told the Hollywood Reporter. "We are just looking for films that accurately portray gay characters or themes." Casagrande admitted that he had been lobbying the festival authorities for nearly four years to introduce the award.

It is estimated that between 10 and 12 films will be eligible for this year's Queer Lion. The winner will receive a replica of the Golden Lion, with its wings painted in the rainbow colours of the Gay Pride flag.

The 64th international Venice film festival runs August 29 - September 8.

The Guardian

See also:
* Queer Lion to roar at Venice Film Festival - Reuters
* Festival to offer gay film prize - BBC News

Venice Film Festival
Venice Film Festival on Wikipedia