CROSS-ARTS AND CROSS-LONDON
GFEST – Gaywise FESTival, 'London's LGBT and queer cross - art festival for all', has announced an exciting and ambitious 2010 programme. The festival will take place across London in prestigious venues including The National Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, Rich Mix, Hampstead Town Hall and Cochrane Theatre.
GFEST 2010 runs for two weeks from Monday 8 November 2010 to Sunday 21 November 2010.

The full festival programme can be found on GFEST website:
 http://www.gaywisefestival.org.uk/

The festival focuses on three categories covering Short Films, Visual Arts and Performances. Complimenting the programme are a series of talks, debate and parties. It has been seen as hugely successful art event where thousands of Londoners enjoy and benefit from the showcase of emerging and established gay talent.
NIRANJAN KAMATKAR, the artistic director of GFEST said, “We are proud to present young and trendsetting British talent alongside the International artists, filmmakers and performers. GFEST 2010 artists will benefit from presenting their work in celebrated venues and from GFEST 2010 media partners like BBC Film Network.”

He added, “I am confident that GFEST 2010 programme is a thrilling mix of diversity with the widest possible range of life-changing artistic expressions from the LGBT community.”

“The biggest thing going on in London right now..” – BBC London (Nov 09)

GFEST 2010 artists were selected through an open call, applications were received from all over UK and the world including USA, Europe, Israel and Thailand. The selection panel members had a hard task of selecting the entries due to high calibre of work.

The Festival is recognised as one of the four key events taking place in the capital's annual LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender) calendar.

Invaluable to London’s diverse LGBT arts communities – MAYOR OF LONDON

In his message of support gay and human rights activist PETER TATCHELL said that GFEST artists are in the “frontline of queer culture, articulating our identities, experiences, triumphs and tragedies.” He also noted,“At a time when arts funding is threatened, it is more important than ever to support GFEST. Go See.”

STEPHEN FRY in his recent message to GFEST- Gaywise FESTival said that he is “Proud and happy to support GFEST 2010, which does so much to promote the work of LGBT artists everywhere.”

JEREMY HUNT, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport said, “The Festival is an extremely popular event in the LGBT calendar and is an exciting platform for both London and the arts.”

Now in its fourth year, GFEST is supported by the Mayor of London, dignitaries, Ministers and MPs from all the leading parties, various London boroughs and Arts Council England.

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For more information, photography, in-depth stories or to arrange an interview with Niranjan Kamatkar, Artistic Director of GFEST 2010 and Wise Thoughts, please contact:

Subodh Rathod, Wise Thoughts / GFEST – Gaywise FESTival
Tel: 020 8889 9555
 info@wisethoughts.org
www.wisethoughts.org / www.gaywisefestival.org.uk