New Name to be Unveiled for Miami and Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festivals Tonight

After 17 years as the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (MGLFF) and six years as the Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (FLGLFF), the organization behind both events will unveil a new name tonight during the Opening Night festivities of MGLFF: "MiFo." The new name takes its "Mi" from "Miami" and "Fo" from Fort Lauderdale and is intended to convey the strength of the two festivals on the international LGBTQ film circuit, announced Mark Gilbert, President and Interim Director of the festivals.

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"Just as SoBe has become synonymous with South Beach and WeHo indicates West Hollywood, we believe that MiFo will become the moniker for one of the hippest, strongest and most important film festival duos in the world," Gilbert said. "This new evolution of the name brings our two festivals into the 21 st Century and implies the vibrancy and relevancy of the films we present to our audiences."

The new name will be announced tonight at "Boulevard," the Opening Night film of the 17 TH Annual Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, now MiFo, with a special video trailer, Gilbert added. The trailer will then be played before each of the films presented at the festival. A new logo, brand identity and website will be released after this year's event, he said.

The 17 TH Annual Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival MiFo will feature 75 films from 26 different countries including feature-length movies, documentaries and short films that chronicle the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender experience. Included in the line-up will be five world premieres, one international premiere, 11 North American premieres, one U.S. premiere, seven East Coast premieres, and 12 Southeast premieres.

The Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival MiFo is presented by SHOWTIME, Merrill Lynch and Miami-Dade County. For more information, to view film trailers, or to purchase tickets or memberships, visit www.mglff.com.

Tickets may be purchased 24 hours a day online or by phone at877-766-8156. For general information on MGLFF, call 305-751-6305.

About the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival:
The MGLFF is a critically acclaimed event running from April 24 to May 3, 2015. Now in its 17 th year, the MGLFF is held annually throughout South Florida in the world-renowned historic South Beach district and throughout Miami Beach. The MGLFF is celebrated for its program of feature films, documentaries and short films by, about, and of interest to, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities. In 2014, screenings and special events drew more than 15,000 attendees from greater MiamiDade, as well as national and international visitors. The MGLFF remains active outside of the film festival to produce the Ft. Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival every October and provide monthly movie screenings throughout the year through its GLOW Miami and 954 GLOW programs. These programs bring year-round advance, archival and educational screenings to movie goers in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

SOURCE Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival