Archive for lgbt media

The Ryan & Amy Show to Headline 5th Anniversary Cruise

The Ryan and Amy Show, featuring comedians and filmmakers Ryan Steele and Amy Goodmurphy, will be the Centerpiece Event on the Pride of the Ocean LGBT Film Festival’s Fifth Anniversary Cruise, sailing from New York City to Bermuda on the Norwegian Breakaway to kick off Gay Pride Month in June 2014.

“The Ryan and Amy Show will complement the Pride of the Ocean programming perfectly,” said John Scagliotti, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and Programming Director of the film festival. “Our cruises are a blend of stimulating independent films and the enjoyment and relaxation you want on a vacation. Ryan and Amy will enhance your experience of both.” Supporters of the Ryan and Amy Show are eligible for a $75 per person discount when they use the promotional code RYAN14 when booking a cabin. Click here to see available options.

A Vancouver-based sketch comedy duo, Steele and Goodmurphy have been performing live sketch shows and making comedy videos for six years. Steele’s short film work garnered him a spot on the 2013 Pride of the Ocean cruise, where his quirky and unpredictable comedy was a huge success. Below is an example of their work.

Ryan Steele and Amy Goodmurphy

Ryan Steele and Amy Goodmurphy

While Pride of the Ocean has always featured live entertainment at the closing party, this is the first time live performance has been scheduled along with films as the primary entertainment of the cruise. “Seeing Ryan’s work this year onboard brought a lot of excitement for having Ryan and Amy live next year,” said John Scagliotti. “We were delighted that our passengers were so enthusiastic about our upcoming cruises!”

The fifth anniversary cruise of Pride of the Ocean coincides with the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York, and the theme of the cruise is “Seneca Falls, Selma, Stonewall: Films that Made a Difference.” The cruise will sail June 1 and return June 8, 2014 and feature a variety of independent LGBT films and filmmakers.

This cruise is joined by 2 other cruises in 2014, for an unparalleled 3 Pride of the Ocean cruises in 2014. To learn more about all 3 cruises, please click here.

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Posted in: discounts, filmmakers on board, lgbt media, On Board Events, Uncategorized, Vancouver

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Pride of the Ocean Continues To Grow. In 2014 Two Distinct Film Festival Cruises and one Sampler.

Cruising to The Bahamas, Bermuda and Around the Hawaiian Islands… Commemorating the 45th anniversary of Stonewall.

Greg-Louganis-Press-Conference-Thumb

Greg Louganis

At our 4th cruise embarkation press conference in Seattle, Greg Louganis, star of the film BACK ON BOARD and Cruise Director James Pollin announced our expansion of Pride of the Ocean for 2014, a year in which we will be commemorating the 45th anniversary of Stonewall. Pollin and his programming partner, Emmy Award-winning Producer, John Scagliotti are putting together two new film festival cruises and one Sampler Weekend cruise (a taste of Pride of the Ocean). The two festival cruises will mark important dates in the LGBT calendar.

The first festival cruise will be sailing out of New York City, where 45 years ago in June 1969, the Stonewall Rebellion began. Programmer John Scagliotti, taking a cue from the 2012 inaugural address of President Obama, has created a Pride theme for the occasion, based on Obama’s stirring remembrance of “Selma, Seneca Falls and Stonewall.” The films chosen will reflect on the many changes since Stonewall on politics, history, religion and America’s second religion, sports. Included will be the screening of AFTER STONEWALL, which first aired nationally on PBS for the 30th anniversary of Stonewall. That documentary is the recipient of many honors including Los Angeles’s OUTFEST Audience Award. The ship chosen for this Pride filled festival is the new Norwegian Breakaway, which pays tribute itself to New York City and will embark from Manhattan on June 1st for a cruise to Bermuda and back on June 8th. Besides the opening and closing cocktail parties, the group will also enjoy a centerpiece event performance by Vancouver’s “Ryan and Amy Show.” Program Director Scagliotti is reviewing films now and remarked, “ I have been involved with LGBT media since Stonewall, so this Pride of the Ocean festival is an opportunity to showcase some films that have made a difference in the struggle for LGBT freedoms that we now enjoy.”

The Norwegian Breakaway, one of three Pride of the Ocean cruise ships for 2014

The Norwegian Breakaway, one of three Pride of the Ocean cruise ships for 2014

Then in October, Pride of the Ocean goes to Hawaii for a cruise that sails on National Coming Out Day, October 11, 2014, cruising to five Hawaiian islands on board the Norwegian Pride of America, returning to Honolulu on October 18th . The theme will be Asian/Pacific LGBT films. Included in this cruise will be a Bon Voyage Luau that will make for a joyous Coming Out Day where Pride of the Ocean passengers will get “leid.”

Children of God

And Pride of the Ocean recognizes that many can’t wait for these cruises, so it has added to its schedule, a Sampler at the end of the first month of 2014. On this weekend cruise out of Miami to Nassau, passengers will get a “taste of Pride of the Ocean.” Since the ship is heading for The Bahamas, Pride of the Ocean will screen Bahamian film director Kareem Mortimer’s sensational film, CHILDREN Of GOD. There will be a cocktail party and panel of funny shorts included on this Pride of the Ocean Sampler. The dates are January 31, out of Miami, and returning to Florida on Feb 3rd.

If you are interested in joining in on any of these cruises you can register on-line at our website:

http://www.prideoftheocean.com

Or call/email our Cruise Associate, Geisha Cumberbatch:

Email: gcumberbatch@cruiseone.com

Tel: 301-656-5740

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Greg Louganis Speaks at Launch of 5th Annual Pride of the Ocean Film Festival

Sochi Olympics: “Boycotts Hurt the Wrong People”

Greg-Louganis-Press-Conference-Thumb

Greg Louganis

Seattle, WA: Olympic legend Greg Louganis appeared in Seattle for the launch of the Pride of the Ocean LGBT Film Festival cruise, featuring scenes from the upcoming documentary on his return to the world of diving – BACK ON BOARD. While speaking, he responded to questions on the controversy of the Winter Olympics scheduled for Sochi, Russia.

The director of BACK ON BOARD, Cheryl Furjanic, will be one of the filmmakers aboard the film festival cruise, departing Seattle for Glacier Bay, Alaska, and hosting workshops, seminars, and films along the way.

Addressing the press, Louganis spoke to how the documentary came about. “Cheryl reached out to me after she saw a New York Times article about me making my way back to diving, and coaching a dive teams.” The film, begun two years ago, chronicles the changes in Louganis’ life that brought him into his current role of mentoring in the sport he dominated for so long.

Questions turned to the anti-gay legislation and violent attacks on gay individuals in Russia, causing many in the LGBT community and beyond to urge boycotting the Olympics. Louganis answered directly, “Boycotts don’t work. They hurt the wrong people. I’m an athlete, I’ve lived it.”

Referring to Russia’s infamous law that criminalizes ‘propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors,’ he stated, “What we’ve seen has been heart-wrenching… The important thing is we’re talking about it, and that we keep talking about it. We’re shining a light on what is happening in Russia.”

“Here they are passing these laws that are supposed to ‘protect children,’ and gay children are born every day in Russia,” he concluded. “Who is protecting them?”

Yoruba Richen

Yoruba Richen

Following Louganis’ remarks, John Scagliotti, Emmy Award-winning director of the documentary BEFORE STONEWALL and Programmer of the Pride of the Ocean Film Festival, introduced the other speakers, including award-winning filmmaker Yoruba Richen, and celebrated LGBT community advocate and filmmaker Andrea Meyerson, recipient of this year’s Body of Work Award.

James Pollin, Cruise Director of the Pride of the Ocean cruises and owner of the Pollin Group, unveiled the 2014 fifth anniversary Pride of the Ocean cruise, leaving New York on June 1 and sailing for Bermuda on Norwegian Cruise Line’s brand new ship, the Breakaway.

“We’ve dubbed this year our ‘5th on the 45th’ as we will celebrate Pride of the Ocean’s fifth anniversary on the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Our official title is ‘Selma, Seneca Falls, and Stonewall: Films That Made a Difference.’”

With the release of the Pride of the Ocean 2014 cruise details, passengers may now begin booking for that trip. “We sold out this year,” said Pollin. “Our group doubled in size. We expect the Breakaway cruise to Bermuda to do the same.”

For more information about Pride of the Ocean, visit www.prideoftheocean.com.

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Pride of the Ocean Doubles in Size for 2013

The fourth Pride of the Ocean LGBT Film Festival sails for Glacier Bay, Alaska, in August with over twice as many passengers as the preceding third cruise. On board the Norwegian Pearl luxury cruise ship, the film festival will host groundbreaking film screenings, seminars, workshops and a wide variety of filmmakers and special guests.

Group MontageOnly a Few Cabins Remain on the only LGBT Film Festival at Sea

Anticipating the leap in size this year, Program Director John Scagliotti and Cruise Director Jim Pollin planned for more cabins to be available for the expanding audience of 2013.

James Pollin“Our cruise has leaped in size every year,” states Pollin, “and this year we knew we would see another burst of interest for our first West Coast departure.”

“We are delighted that our growth even surpassed our expectations.”

As the passenger list expanded, Pollin ensured the group had the space they needed. “Interest has been so high, the railroad car reserved for the group shore excursion in Skagway on the White Pass Railroad sold out. We quickly added another car, and that (more…)

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Posted in: alaska, cineslam, film festival info, filmmakers on board, films, films on board, lgbt media, networking, On Board Events, panel discussions, partner organizations, Pride of the Ocean Parties, registration, seattle, Uncategorized, workshops and film labs

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Post-Supreme Court decision on Gay Marriage Discussion On Pride of the Ocean

This very month the Supreme Court of the United States will hear arguments on the future of marriage equality for same-sex couples – an unprecedented step in the forward march of LGBT rights. Married couples and marriage activists from all states can take to the seas while exploring the outcomes with one of the most recognized figures in the fight – activist Michael Crawford of Freedom to Marry, the Washington DC-based nonprofit leading the national campaign.

Michael Crawford

Michael Crawford, from Freedom to Marry
leads the discussion

By the time you set sail with us up the Pacific Northwest’s Inside Passage to Glacier Bay, watching our array of ground-breaking films, we will already know the Supreme Court’s conclusions. Decisions are due in June on the vital challenges both to California’s Proposition 8, banning same-sex marriage in that state, and to the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, prohibiting the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage under federal laws.

Your Pride of the Ocean film festival will examine the outcomes of this historic event, through the lens of our artistic medium, by hosting a screening of the multiple award-winning film “I DO” followed by a special discussion led by Crawford.

“I DO” presents the story of a British (more…)

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WOAR Women Filling Up Cabins on Pride of the Ocean

Including Chef Lisa Schwab–the maker of “The best Chicken Piccata…EVER!”

Chef Lisa Schwab, owner of Cantalini’s Salerno Beach Restaurant, encourages her fellow “Women on a Roll” to follow her lead to the rolling waves of the north Pacific this August, with the Pride of the Ocean Film Festival.  Join her and the other women of WOAR in toasting this year’s Body of Work Honoree, the dynamic Andrea Meyerson – founder of the active social organization for lesbians.

Andrea Meyerson (center) at WOAR promotion for Pride of the Ocean

Andrea Meyerson (center) at WOAR promotion for Pride of the Ocean

— so much so that she is making time for her first vacation in many years to be on the Norwegian Pearl with the other women of WOAR to celebrate Andrea!

Chef Schwab’s traditional Italian cuisine restaurant – always receiving rave reviews from fans of authentic Italian – won another devotee when Cantalini’s catered the WOAR Holiday Party last December, sponsored by Pride of the Ocean.  Our Program Director, John Scagliotti, pronounced her dish “the best Chicken Piccata… EVER!”

From a start as a women’s cycling group in 1995, Women on a Roll quickly grew in popularity and numbers over the years to offer women a wide range of social, sporting, cultural and travel opportunities. Now over 10,000 members (more…)

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Logo and ITVS join Pride of the Ocean

Christopher Willey, Head of East Coast Development and Production for Logo Television, has overseen projects including “The A-List”, “NewNowNext Awards”, “NewNowNext Vote Hosted by Wanda Sykes”, “Be Good Johnny Weir”, “Scandalicious”, “The Big Gay Sketch Show” and “Jeffery & Cole Casserole.”Willey Sommers James Sommers, Senior Vice President of Content for The Independent Television Service (ITVS), oversees the Content Strategy Team, also known as the “greenlight” team, which finalizes (more…)

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Pride of the Ocean throws the holiday bash for Women On A Roll

Our Program Director, John Scagliotti, gets into the swing of things on his way to the Hollywood WOAR Party.

The mistletoe was out this past weekend in Hollywood as Pride of the Ocean’s Cruise Director, Jim Pollin, and Program Director, John Scagliotti sponsored the Holiday Party for the Women On A Roll.   And we are delighted that so many Women on A Roll will be joining us on our next film festival cruise.  What a great group they are! Great dancers and the caterer of the party is coming too! She has heard about the great food on the ship.

Jonthan Gatz, from OUTSERVE, dancing with the Women On A Roll

We’ll be honoring the founder of WOAR, Andrea Meyerson, as our recipient of the Body of Work recognition.   And you can see some of that body in our new festival video which we premiered at the LA LGBT Center’s Renberg Theater.  It stars Casper Andreas (GOING DOWN IN LA LA LAND), Sebastian La Cause (HUSTLING Series) and the very talented Emmy-winner, Mark Payne.  The show in LA was closed out with a special appearance of Liza Minelli.  Only in LA does it get this wild and to think it is coming on board the Norwegian Pearl soon.  Click here http://vimeo.com/54798831  to view (you’ll need to write the password: norwegianpearl

The Pride of the Ocean folks take a pose with Liza Minelli.

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Second “Body of Work” honoree chosen: Andrea Meyerson!

Pride of the Ocean has chosen Andrea Meyerson for its 2013 Body of Work recipient. With over 25 documentaries and comedy specials to her credit, one of her films will be screened at the next festival, which sets sail from Seattle to Alaska in August 2013.

Join Andrea Meyerson for the next Pride of the Ocean cruise!

In congratulating Meyerson for her many years of powerful and hilarious films Pride of the Ocean festival programmer John Scagliotti applauded her “creative cinematic approach in presenting the many faces of the LGBT community.”

Scagliotti says, “Whether smartly exploring our complicated lives in comedy with your Laughing Matters films or your emphasis on capturing the magical details of a powerful human story in I Stand Corrected, it all adds up to a style full of grace and love for your subjects.”

Meyerson is well known for her four documentaries in the Laughing Matters series—Laughing Matters, Laughing Matters…More, Laughing Matters…The Men and Laughing Matters…Next Gen. In recent years she has also done many comedy specials for Showtime Networks and LOGO, including a documentary on comedienne Kate Clinton.

Her current documentary, I Stand Corrected is a departure from her focus on stand-up comedians. In this stirring film, Meyerson showcases the life and trials of Jennifer Leitham, a transgender upright bass player. It screened on Pride of the Ocean, where it won critical acclaim before picking up the Audience Award at OutFest in July. Since then, it has been receiving high praise and is slotted in many LGBT film festivals around the country.

The 1st Body of Work award went to Casper Andreas, the director of popular gay narrative films Going Down in La-La Land, Between Love & Goodbye, The Big Gay Musical, Violet Tendencies and A Four Letter Word.

Pride of the Ocean has invited Andrea to present one of her films on the next Pride of the Ocean cruise.

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FROM THE GROUND UP | Panel on Pride of the Ocean 2012

Announcing our second Q-Me Con panel on Pride of the Ocean 2012,

FROM THE GROUND UP:

A RESOURCE-SHARING AND STRATEGY-BUILDING CONVERSATION ON HOW TO FIND FUNDS AND OTHER RESOURCES FOR YOUR FILM

“From grants & foundations, to private investors & “soft moneys,” join top industry members as they discuss what capital and other resources are out there for you and your project — and share tips on how you can go out there and get them!”

Tuesday, June 12th, 3:00PM
In the DECK 3 Conference Room.

Q-Me Con Panel Film Festival Directors, moderated by Jennifer Howd (far right), 2011

This panel will be moderated by Jennifer Howd (co-founder of Q-Me Con), featuring panelists:

Lesli Klainberg (managing director, Film Society Lincoln Center)

Cheryl Furjanic (filmmaker, SYNC OR SWIM)

Andrea Meyerson (filmmaker and founder of Women On A Roll)

Casper Andreas (director, GOING DOWN IN LA-LA LAND)

Kareem Mortimer (director, CHILDREN OF GOD)

JD Disalvatore (producer, SHELTER)

JC Calciano (director, eCUPID, webisode creator)

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