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GFEST

GFEST – Gaywise FESTival is the premier LGBT annual cross-arts festival in London – a platform for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and queer artists, organisations and venues that promote Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and queer artists. Produced and organised by arts charity Wise Thoughts, GFEST is the brainchild of Wise Thoughts’ Artistic Director Niranjan Kamatkar .

Comprising three main artistic strands GFEST features queer artists and talent across performance events, short film screenings and visual arts exhibitions. Connecting these strands are social and networking events, workshops, debates and seminars with leading LGBT artists, workshop facilitators, industry/sector experts and academics.

Wise Thoughts

Founded in 1999, Wise Thoughts works across the arts addressing social justice issues, the needs of marginalised groups, primarily LGBT and Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, and works to foster understanding amongst non-LGBT audiences. Other specific LGBT arts initiatives include:

• Performance works: 14 Emotions (written and performed by workshop participants), Livin’ ‘ere (presenting contemporary British Asian gay identity), Jagurati (a street theatre development for MSM – ‘men who have sex with men’ – funded by the DFID) among others.

• Visual arts exhibitions: BollyQueens, Discovery, Out in the Morning

• Films: Yours Emotionally and Interview with a Politician.

Wise Thoughts also works strategically with local authorities and statutory bodies on LGBT/BAME matters and policy development as well as delivering a range of non-clinical services for BAME/LGBT people, such as drop-ins, operating locally (in Haringey and in North London), regionally (London wide), nationally and internationally depending upon the nature of each project.

You can find out more about Wise Thoughts here.

 

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GFEST past messages of support:

“It is absolutely right that London should host such a celebration of new and established artists. And this festival is a real testament to the creativity and diversity of our gay artists and the vital contribution they make to the UK's cultural scene.”
– David Cameron, The Prime Minister (2010)

“The festival is an extremely popular event in the LGBT calendar and is an exciting platform for both London and the arts.”
– Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport. (2010)

“GFEST has gone from strength to strength - a fantastic expression of our capital city and of the UK as a whole - am I am proud to be endorsing it once again”
– David Lammy MP (2010)

“With contributions from across the country and also internationally, GFEST highlights talent as wide-ranging and diverse as the LGBT community itself.”
– The Mayor of London Boris Johnson (2010)

“GFEST, which each year is growing like Topsy..”
– Lynne Featherstone, MP, Minister for Equalities.

“GFEST is growing as an important, annual event in the LGBT Arts calendar of London building, year on year, bigger audiences drawn from the diverse range of London's communities and, importantly, from way beyond the LGBT community itself.”
– Ben Bradshaw, MP

"Proud and happy to support GFEST, which does so much to promote the work of LGBT artists everywhere. You couldn't do better than add your own support. Much love"
– Stephen Fry

"At a time when arts funding is threatened by the government cuts, it is more important than ever to support GFEST and the many LGBTI artists and performers that it show-cases. They are in the frontline of queer culture, articulating our identities, experiences, triumphs and tragedies. Go see."
– Peter Tatchell, Human rights campaigner

"London's place as one of the world's great cultural capital's has been built on its diverse range of artistic endeavour and the determination of its cultural communities to push at boundaries. GFEST is a great example of promoting that innovative spirit and widening access to the creative output of LGBT Londoners."
– Dee Doocey, Chair of the London Assembly

"GFEST is an excellent forum for encouraging new artists as well as established acts and I wish participants, organisers and visitors a great festival this year"
– Margot James MP, Vice Chairman Conservative Party

"I send my very best wishes to GFEST, and hope the festival is a huge success. Giving full expression to some of the best in LGBT arts and performance - and being proud about the diversity that has created it - is something to be savoured, enjoyed, and celebrated. Good luck!"
– Rt Hon Lord Smith

" Wise Thoughts has a proven track record and has organised an ambitious programme of events across the arts. I hope the Festival will raise the profile of LGBT artists and their work, not only in London but nationally."
– David Lepper, former MP

"As a TV producer I am always keen to hear about innovative media and arts forums. As Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission I am delighted to see innovation coupled with a celebration of LGBT creators and audiences. I wish all success to the GFEST - Gaywise FESTival."
– Trevor Phillips OBE

"As a lesbian and a Londoner, I'm excited about GFEST, an LGBT arts festival filled with cutting-edge exhibitions and performances by new and established artists. GFEST is a celebration of the wonderful diversity that makes our queer communities so vibrant, and our capital city so rich. It's so inspiring to see LGBT arts showcased in this way. I hope GFEST just gets bigger, bolder and more beautiful, year by year!"
– Sarah Waters, Author

"GFEST looks set to be better than ever this year and the diversity and creativity behind the festival and are truly inspiring. It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase and celebrate LGBT artists and performers, so I wish all involved every success."
– Caroline Lucas MP, Leader of the Green Party

"Congratulations to Wise Thoughts and GFEST organisers for all their efforts in delivering this year's GFEST Gaywise FESTival. I am looking forward to this year's festival. GFEST offers a broad, diverse mix of visual and performance art which is creative, challenging and provocative."
– Jennette Arnold AM

Submissions

Visual Arts
Films
Performance

GFEST shop now open!

Past GFESTs

GFEST 2011
GFEST 2010
GFEST 2009
GFEST 2008
GFEST 2007

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