Artsploitation Films and Kino Lorber Release

Benjamin

A Romantic Comedy of a Different Kind by Simon Amstell

Now on DVD and Digital Platforms including Kino Now

Please contact Matt Barry at mbarry@kinolorber.com

to request an online screener for review.

“Simon Amstell’s funny, charming and overpoweringly personal comedy is a nervous romance, in which both parties get to be Annie Hall … a miraculously heartfelt love story, sweet and poignant in all its awkwardness.” – The Guardian

“A laugh-out-loud love story with bite. Sparkles with wit, warmth and weirdness” – Total Film

“A tender, funny and, at times, painful film” – The Daily Mail

“Witty, effervescent and unexpectedly soulful” – The Times (London)

“Funny, bittersweet and affecting” – Empire

New York, NY — August 25, 2020 — Artsploitation Films and Kino Lorber are proud to announce that Benjamin, a quirky, anxiety-fueled gay rom-com directed by Simon (“Nevermind the Buzzcocks”) Amstell and starring Colin Morgan (Merlin, The Happy Prince), is now available on DVD and digital platforms including Kino Now.

Benjamin was an Official Selection of the BFI London Film Festival, and won the Audience Award and was nominated for the Grand Jury Award for Best Film at the Milan International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.

Synopsis:

Simon Amstell’s offbeat gay romantic comedy centers around Benjamin (Colin Morgan), a nervous, neurotic filmmaker juggling the anxieties of finalizing his upcoming film with the fear and awkwardness of a burgeoning romance. Will Benjamin’s insecurities get in the way of success and happiness? Will his film be a critics-savaging disaster and he, a one-hit wonder? Amstell peppers this entertaining tale with scene-stealing cast of supporting characters including Joel Fry (Game of Thrones), Jessica Raine, Jack Rowan and Anna Chancellor.

Please contact Matt Barry at mbarry@kinolorber.com to request an online screener for review.

Title: Benjamin; Director: Simon Amstell; Country: UK; Year: 2019; Running Time: 85 minutes; Language: English; Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1; Sound: Dolby 5.1

DVD SRP: 19.95

DVD Item #: ART71

DVD UPC: 851597006803

Contact Information:

Matt Barry

mbarry@kinolorber.com

Kino Lorber

333 West 39 St., Suite 503

New York, NY 10018

Phone: 212-629-6880

www.kinolorber.com



ABOUT ARTSPLOITATION FILMS

Not limited to being just a genre label, Artsploitation Films presents intriguing, unsettling, unpredictable and provocative films to an audience long numbed by filmic predictability.

ABOUT KINO LORBER:

With a library of over 2,800 titles, Kino Lorber Inc. has been a leader in independent art house distribution for 35 years, releasing 30 films per year theatrically under its Kino Lorber, Kino Repertory and Alive Mind Cinema banners, garnering seven Academy Award® nominations in nine years, including documentary nominees Fire at Sea (2017) and Of Fathers & Sons (2019). In addition, the company brings over 350 titles yearly to the home entertainment and educational markets through physical and digital media releases. With an expanding family of distributed labels, Kino Lorber handles releases in ancillary media for Zeitgeist Films, Carlotta USA, Adopt Films, Greenwich Entertainment, Raro Video, and others, placing physical titles through all wholesale, retail, and direct to consumer channels, as well as direct digital distribution through over 40 OTT services including all major TVOD and SVOD platforms. In 2019, the company launched its new art house digital channel KinoNow.com which features over 1000 titles from the acclaimed Kino Lorber library.

At a time of national demonstrations in support of Black lives and against systemic racism and during a national health crisis, it is heartening to have good news from the Supreme Court. The decision handed down by the Court today affirms and emphasizes the importance of Americans coming together for the good of the nation and all its people. The Supreme Court has ruled that companies do not have a right to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people in the workplace. This historic decision says that LGBTQ+ people are, and should be, protected from discrimination under federal law. And while this is welcome news, the reality is that we still have much to do. 

Changes to Section 1557 of the Health Care Rights Law last Friday rolling back healthcare protections for transgender people, as well as the pervasive racism that continues to exist across our country, demonstrate the long road we still have ahead to end discrimination. 

There are still critical gaps in our federal non‐discrimination laws. It is still legal for federally funded entities including hospitals, colleges, and adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. It is also legal for stores, restaurants, and hotels to discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community in certain situations. 

“Comprehensive federal protections for LGBTQ+ people are about basic human needs. They ensure everyday Americans are able to earn a living, be safe in their communities, serve their country, receive medical care, and take care of the ones they love,” said Denise Spivak, CenterLink’s CEO. 

CenterLink calls on Congress to pass full federal non‐discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people and to continue working toward true equality for ALL people. 

At 4pm PT / 7pm ET, CenterLink will join a virtual national rally with other LGBTQ+ leaders from across the country and those who led the fight for these cases. Immediately after the rally, a panel of experts will discuss the court’s opinion and offer analysis of its potential effects. The public is welcome to attend both events. Learn more at www.decisionday.org. 

###

CenterLink develops strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and builds a thriving center network that creates healthy, vibrant communities. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org.

h/t

Downtown venue to celebrate diversity with performances from Kiesza, Vassy, Manila Luzon, Bob The Drag Queen, Cazwell and more

LAS VEGAS – Downtown Las Vegas Events Center is bringing the heat to this year’s PRIDE Festival on October 11-12 with exhilarating acts from Kiesza, Vassy and Cazwell as well as performances by RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Manila Luzon and Bob The Drag Queen. The yearly celebration promises good eats, great music and an evening of entertainment hosted by Jennifer Warner, Drew Dixon, Edie and J.Son.

The two-day event will also include entertainment by Inaya Day, DJ Rex Von Rex, DJ Jaydean, Dollface, Empire Records, Zumba Group, Joey Jay, Joey Suarez, Lady Q, Nick Ayler, Nikki Exotika and Sonora Mar Y Mar.

In addition to the elaborate lineup, the event will also house:

• A delicious selection of food trucks

• Pop-up drag shows with some of the country’s top performers

• Over 100 vendors with PRIDE merchandise

• An all-ages “Family Fun Zone”

• An animal lovers’ pet parade

• 18 and over “After Dark” celebrations

Doors to the event open at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 11. PRIDE after dark (18+) will go from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. Festivities will kick off the following day at noon and PRIDE after dark (18+) will begin at 8 p.m. and end at 1 a.m.

$15 weekend pass tickets to the event are on sale now and can be purchased at www.dlvec.com, while tickets at the door will start at $20 per day.

Canadian singer and musician Kiesza continues to reach success throughout her career in the dance-oriented music industry with her top hits “Hideaway” and “Take Ü There” with Skrillex. Kiesza’s vibrant house music touches upon other genres like R&B and EDM and is sure to get the dance party started.

Vassy is an Australian singer, songwriter and record producer and her song “We Are Young” rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Charts, making her the first Australian to go No.1 with a solo debut single. Certified RIAA Platinum and Gold, the recording artist has also collaborated with famous musicians David Guetta, Afrojack, Tiesto and more.

Rapper Cazwell has produced three albums since 2006 and has collaborated with an impressive list of musicians such as Richie Beretta, Justin de Nobrega and more. The artist tours every year playing to festivals around the world and is well-known for his tracks that combine rap and electronic genres, including his hit song “Ice Cream Truck.”

To top it off, stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race will attend this year’s PRIDE extravaganza. Season three runner-up Manila Luzon and season eight winner Bob The Drag Queen will grace the Downtown stage to show off their high-energy dancing and lip-singing skills.

For updates, please visit www.dlvec.com or www.lasvegaspride.org.

San Diego, CA: Nearly 2,000 Christians from around the world had signed on to Christians United: A Statement In Support of LGBT+ Inclusion in the Church on Thursday morning, including more than 300 denominational leaders, theologians, and Christian influencers.

Christians United is an international theological statement bringing together thousands of LGBT+ affirming Christians to declare with one voice that the Church of Jesus Christ must be a place where LGBT+ people are celebrated and embraced. Christians United came as a direct response to The Nashville Statement, a document composed and signed by 150 major evangelical leaders in August 2017, which reaffirmed toxic, non-affirming theological commitments that have caused verifiable harm to countless LGBT+ people of faith around the world.

The statement was originally drafted by LGBT+ Christian activist and Nomad Partnerships Executive Director, Brandan Robertson and was edited by a distinguished editorial board including Dr. J. R. Daniel Kirk, Bishop Joseph Tolton, Rev. Steve Chalke, and Dr. Paula Williams.

Article 1 of the statement begins by declaring:

“WE AFFIRM that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and that the great diversity expressed in humanity through our wide spectrum of unique sexualities and gender identities is a perfect reflection of the magnitude of God’s creative work.”

In the first twenty-four hours of it’s release, Christians United was signed on to by over 1,000 Christians from around the world, including top theologians and the leaders of some of the worlds most influential Christian denominations.

Christians United stands as a faithful witness that a new day is dawning in Christianity, a day in which the Church of Jesus Christ repents of its sin of exclusion, and swings open it’s doors to welcome all of God’s diverse children.

To see the full text of the statement, visit www.ChristiansUnitedStatement.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ernie Yuen Email: ed@lasvegaspride.org 
Website: http://www.LasVegasPRIDE.org

Annual CAPI Conference to Come to Las Vegas
Over 40 LGBT Organizations to Attend

Southern Nevada Association of Pride, Inc. is excited to announce that they will host the 2017 Annual CAPI Conference “Proud To Be”.
The four-day conference is scheduled to take place at the Gold Coast Hotel February 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th, 2017. The event is to feature local and regional speakers, along with discussion panels, workshops, and training sessions aimed at helping Pride organizations and other non-profits across the western United States enhance their annual celebrations.
Ernie Yuen, Executive Director of Southern Nevada Association of PRIDE, Inc. said, “This is a great opportunity for our city and community to show off all Las Vegas has to offer.  We are lucky to live in such an amazing city, with all the glitz and glam of our beautiful casinos, one-of-a-kind restaurants, seemingly endless shopping and gaming all contained on the strip. I am very proud of our community, I want each and every conference attendee to return to their hometown and talk about the amazing time they had while at the CAPI conference here in Las Vegas. If all goes as planned they will be back for more!”
Discussions and forums will cover such topics as creating community partnerships, volunteerism, youth and transgender community, parade and festival production, developing creative activist events and more. Roughly 40 Pride organizations across the western United States and Mexico are scheduled to take part in the conference.

CAPI is The Consolidated Association of Pride, Inc. (CAPI) is a California 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation made up of GLBT Pride coordinators in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah and the country of Mexico. Encompassing a full range of membership, member committees range from some of the largest in the world (San Francisco and Christopher Street West), to some of the smallest, with midsize events well represented in the rank-and-file.

###

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Ernie Yuen, please e‐mail him at ed@lasvegaspride.org. For more information about SNAPI or Las Vegas Pride, visit http://www.LasVegasPRIDE.org. The primary objectives and purposes of SNAPI are: To educate the general public to the needs and issues affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community; to provide educational outreach to persons directly or indirectly involved in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community; to advocate and facilitate the exchange of ideas and resources between the various non‐profit Nevada lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or related organizations; to promote a positive image of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and pride; to provide inclusive and diverse representation within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community; to recognize and celebrate the substantial achievements in our community.

NEW DATE SET:

Pride Guide® Tucson’s 2^nd Annual LGBT Open-Minded Wedding Expo

Date Has Moved from Sunday, June 26, 2016 to Sunday, September 25, 2016

11:30am to 4:00pm

JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa

3800 W Starr Pass Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85745

OpenMindedExpo.com

June 17, 2016 – Due to the tragic event that unfolded in the early morning hours of June 12th at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, the Pride Guide® Tucson’s Open-Minded Wedding Expo has been moved to Sunday, September 25th.  We feel our community and our nation as a whole need this time to heal.  Ticket sale proceeds from the remaining 2016 Pride Guide® Expos, will benefit the victims and families of Orlando.

We as a community must be there for each other at a devastating time like this. We send our love and prayers to the victims, friends and families of those who have passed or were injured in this senseless act of hate.

Please take a stand with us and plan to attend our expos to show your support against hate and unite us all with strength in numbers!  #StayStrong

Phoenix Expo – Arizona Grand Resort & Spa

8000 Arizona Grand Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85044

Sunday, August 21st • 11:30 am to 4:00 pm

Tucson Expo – JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa

3800 W Starr Pass Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85745

NEW DATE:  Sunday, September 25th • 11:30 am to 4:00 pm

San Diego Expo – Paradise Point Resort & Spa

1404 Vacation Rd, San Diego, CA 92109

Sunday, October 23rd • 11:30 am to 4:00 pm

Tickets for all three expos are available at OpenMindedExpo.com

For more information on the Pride Guide® Arizona Publication or the Pride Guide® Tucson Wedding Expo, please contact The Pride Guides® office at 602-466-2501 or Arizona@ThePrideGuides.com.

WASHINGTON – Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement in response to today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which finally recognized marriage equality for gay and lesbian Americans as a constitutional right. The Leadership Conference submitted an amicus brief in this case in favor of marriage equality:

“This is a transformative day in American history. Today is the day that our nation’s highest court acknowledged the full dignity of LGBT Americans to love and build a family as equals in our society.

While today’s ruling ushers in a new era of acceptance and family security for LGBT Americans, it also highlights the blunt denial of basic rights – in access to employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit—that are still being denied in too many states across the nation.

Just as the Supreme Court case of Loving v. Virginia, which held that state laws prohibiting interracial marriage were unconstitutional, was a forerunner to marriage equality for LGBT people, our nation must also adopt a comprehensive nationwide law to give LGBT Americans the same protections that are already established for people of color, women, religious minorities, and people with disabilities.

Civil rights can only be measured by a single yardstick and our nation can no longer settle for piecemeal solutions to the second-class citizenship of LGBT Americans.”

Wade Henderson is president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.