Side by Side LGBT Film Festival First to Go to Trial in Saint Petersburg Concerning ‘Foreign Agents’ Law.

On 24th May, 2013 at 15.30 Side by Side LGBT Film Festival will contest at the local magistrates court, No 206 (14 Kazanskaya Street) allegations drawn up by the prosecutor accusing the organization of violating Article 19.34 of the administrative code relating to the conduct of non-commercial organizations and their status as ‘foreign agents’. In the event Side by Side is found guilty the organization is faced with a fine of 500,000 Rubles (12,500 Euros).  

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival Faces Prosecution under ‘Foreign Agents’ Law in Russia.

On 6th May, 2013, Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, received a ruling from the local prosecutor accusing the organization of violating Article 19.7 of the administrative code relating to the conduct of non-commercial organizations and their status as ‘foreign agents’.  

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, Moscow, 18-21 April 2013

At the backdrop of an ever increasing homophobic climate in Russia Side by Side LGBT Film Festival takes to the capital of the country once again and for the second time organizing four days of screening and discussion in Moscow from 18 - 21 April, 2013.
 

V Side by Side LGBT Film Festival Recognizes Support of Politicians, Artists and Journalists at Closing Ceremony.

On 3rd November, 2012 the fifth Side by Side LGBT Film Festival came to a successful close in Saint Petersburg, Russia. At the closing ceremony this year it was not only filmmakers that were recognized for their work, being presented the festivals BOBIK award by the jury but individuals and collectives working in the field of politics, protest art and journalism were also to receive a new award BRAVE TAIL voted by the audience in acknowledgement of their defense of the rights of the LGBT community in Russia. 

Saint Petersburg’s Side by Side LGBT Film Festival in Full Swing, Seeing Record Number of Visitors to Events.

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival opened on 25th October, 2012 with a full house, setting the tone of the proceeding festival days which have also seen heavy turnouts to all events. Opening the festival was the Chilean film Young and Wild and director Marialy Rivas joined the audience in a Q & A after the screening. Also in attendance and committing their support to Side by Side was the Consul General of the Netherlands in Saint Petersburg Mr.Jennes de Mol, the Deputy Consul General of Great Britain Mr Ben Greenwood and delivering a video address was Ulrike Lunacek, a member of the European Parliament.

Russia’s Homophobic and Discriminatory Laws will not Silence Saint Petersburg’s Side by Side LGBT Film Festival which Starts 25th October and Runs through to 3 November, 2012.

In the face of increasing discrimination and violence towards the LGBT community in Russia organizers of the Side by Side LGBT Film Festival remain defiant. Throughout the course of the ten festival days maximum visibility and openness will be sort in order to bring the message of respect and human rights of LGBT people in Russia home to the public and authorities.

Celebrating Five Years of Side by Side LGBT Film Festival: Saint Petersburg, 25 October – 3 November, 2012.

Side by Side marks its 5th year anniversary festival in Saint Petersburg this coming autumn. The major theme for this year is local and global processes of the LGBT movement, exploring the discourses and practices relating to LGBT politics, activism, sexual and gender identity rights at local and global levels. Over the 10 festival days 38 films will be screened and among the countries providing the focus are China, Cuba, Uganda, Chile and South Africa, places where LGBT movements are still in their infancy and face great opposition. A first in the history of the festival will be the presentation of a programme of Russian films: The Beginning, compromising of new work from directors from around the country.

Side by Side Film LGBT Festival Organiser Speaks at Stadtfest, One of the Largest LGBT Events in Europe.

Following the  appearance on stage of Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit Side by Side Film Festival organizer, made a welcome speech at Stadfest where she was participating alongside the Teddy Award Fund in the annual street fair. Tanya informed the crowd concerning the situation in Russia and the recent adoption of various homophobic laws around the country.

Lynch Mob Like Tactics From Homophobic Youths and Inadequate Police Protection Force Side by Side LGBT Film Festival to Cancel the Third and Final Day of the Event in Novosibirsk.

On the second day of the Side by Side LGBT Film Festival in Novosibirsk organizers and audience came under serious threat from a homophobic mob of aggressive youths. The youths, numbering around 30 or so in total, had surrounded the shopping centre where the screening was taking place in a multiplex on the fourth floor of the building. Prior to the start, during and at the end of the event the youths gathered around the screening hall, shouting insults and it was clear from their discussions with each other and behavior that they were intent on violence.

Authorities in Kemerovo, Siberia side with Ultra Nationalists Bringing an End and Violence to the III Side by Side by Side LGBT Film Festival.

On 1 June, 2012 human rights Side by Side LGBT film festival, was scheduled to open in the Siberian town of Kemerovo. The third time the festival was to take place in the city, over the course of three days, through to 3rd June screenings and discussions on a range of LGBT issues were planned for. In the run up to the start of the festival, however, organizers began to receive threats of physical violence and attack from a far-right group, the Russian Patriot Club, who are based in a nearby town Novokuznetsk. The group, having already threatened festival visitors at a Side by Side event in March earlier in the year, were reported and made known to the police. The police however failed to act on the information given, taking no measures at all against the group following the March incident. 

Threats from Orthodox Religious Extremists Fail to Stop Opening of Side by Side LGBT Film Festival in Moscow.

Saint Petersburg based Side by Side LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Film Festival opened successfully yesterday evening on 26th April, 2012 despite threats of violence from an orthodox religious extremist group the Orthodox Brotherhood Union. Following threats in the lead up to the opening, Side by Side took additional security measures informing not only the Moscow police but the Ombudsman for Human Rights in Moscow and Russia and the prosecutor's office.
 

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival to Make its Capital Debut in Moscow 26 – 29 April, 2012

Saint Petersburg based Side by Side LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Film Festival is taking on the Russian capital for the first time bringing four days of film and discussion relating to LGBT rights and issues to the Moscow audience at the end of April.

200 Gathered in Berlin to Demonstrate Against Homophobic Policies of Russian Authorities.

A rally was held outside the Russian embassy in Berlin to demonstrate against the homophobic laws which are continuing to be introduced throughout various cities in Russia. The demonstration was attended by over 200 people including LGBT activists as well as members of the German Bundestag, the Berlin parliament and representatives from trade unions.
 

Berlin Demonstrates Against Saint Petersburg's Homophobic Law

The demonstration has been organized on the very same day that the Legislative Assembly in Saint Petersburg will hold the third and final reading of the bill which seeks to prohibit so-called "propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgender among minors." The two previous readings were backed by the majority of politicians and it is highly likely that the law will be passed.

Hostile Brutes with the Mentality of Nazi Racism - Stephen Fry’s View of Saint Petersburg Politicians, Russia.

As local authorities in the city of Saint Petersburg gear up to pass criminalising legislation which prohibits the promotion of so called "sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism to minors” reaction to the measures are reverberating around the world and harsh criticism from all quarters is gathering pace.

No Let Up on the Onslaught Against the LGBT Community by Russian Politicians.

Russian politicians are continuing their onslaught against the LGBT community by expanding the introduction of criminalising legislation around the country that prohibits the promotion of so called "sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism to minors." The implementation of the law prevents any organisation or an individual to promote what is described as “propaganda of homosexuality”. This initiative threatens a wide range of activities, such as demonstrations, speeches and events on LGBT human rights as well as provision of information about or to LGBT people within the public space.

Campaign Against Homophobic Bill Continues in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Over the past two weeks local LGBT activists in Saint Petersburg have been waging a rigorous campaign against the draft bill, proposed by Putin’s United Russia Party, which seeks to ban the promotion of "sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism to minors." The campaign conducted on a variety of fronts including petitions, protests outside the local parliament building, letters of complaint to politicians, bore out the fruits of success when yesterday on 30 November, 2011 deputies of the Saint Petersburg Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg postponed – for a consecutive week in a row - the second reading of the bill. 

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival Against the Introduction of Homophobic Amendments to the Administrative Code of St. Petersburg.

On 16 November 2011 in St. Petersburg LGBT and human rights activist gathered in front of the Saint Petersburg Parliament to protest against the possible introduction of amendments, which equated homosexuality, bisexuality and transgender with pedophilia, as well as impose a fine for public discussion of LGBT issues, treating it as "propaganda." The homophobic law is being proposed by Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party. 

Marc Almond, in a show of support for LGBT Rights in Russia, to Participate in the IV Side by Side LGBT Film Festival.

On the 21 October, 2011 the fourth Side by Side LGBT Film Festival opens in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Among the highlights this year is the participation of British performer Marc Almond in a new event format: “An Evening with a Star”, whereby the  Saint Petersburg audience will have the opportunity to join the singer in conversation after the screening of his chosen favourite film Victim (1961, UK, Basil Dearden) starring the legendary Dirk Bogarde. 

LGBT Organizations and Human Rights Activists Gather in Archangel (North West Russia) in an Attempt to Stop the Passing of a Homophobic Law in the Region, 20 – 21 September, 2011.

Under the guise of "protecting morality" Archangel Regional Authorities are attempting to push through a homophobic law which will effectively prohibit any public activity of LGBT organizations. The law is in clear violation of both the Constitution of the Russian Federation as well as articles 10.1, 11.1 and 14 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Russia is again attempting to recriminalize homosexual people.

Tomsk Administration’s Attempts to stop Lesbian and Gay Film Festival Prove to be in Vain.

Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival continuing its 2011 regional tour in Russia’s provinces came up against strong opposition from authorities in Tomsk, a city located in Siberia.

Double Victory for Side by Side LGBT Film Festival in Siberia, Russia.

Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival launched its 2011 regional tour in Siberia holding festivals in Novosibirsk, 19 – 22 May and Kemerovo, 20 – 22 May, 2011. Both the festivals ran their entirety and did not encounter any measures by the government to stop the events. For the mining city of Kemerovo this was especially a major achievement as in April, 2010 when the  first attempt to hold such a festival was made the local authorities effectively banned the event following pressure and threats on the venues who had agreed to hold the festival.

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival Launch Video Campaign: “Coming Out: Your Step towards Equality!”

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, has put together a three-minute video: “Coming Out: Your Step towards Equality!” in which Russian gay and lesbian people openly talk about their coming out and respectively how relatives and friends came to terms with their child’s, sibling’s or colleague’s homosexuality.

Side by Side Receives a Warmer Reception in Siberia

At the beginning of February, 2011 Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival launched this year’s regional festival programme with a series of one-off screenings of the cult 1989 GDR film “Coming Out” by director Heiner Carow in two Siberian cities Novosibirsk and Kemerovo with the support of the Goethe Institute.

Closing of III Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival Covered by State Russian Television

Russia’s only lesbian and gay film festival Side by Side closing award ceremony on the 23 October, 2010  took place with full attention of the countries state run television channel “Rossyia”. Over the course of two days – Sunday, 24th October and Monday, 25th October - the channel delivered neutral to positive news bulletins at prime time viewing.  

III International Side by Side Film Festival Starts!

Russia’s only Lesbian and Gay film festival Side by Side kicked off at 19.30 on 15 October 2010 at cinema multiplex Varshavsky Express in St. Petersburg.The packed house and festive atmosphere in the cinema hall was both a joy and a surprise for the participants and organizers of Russia’s first and only LGBT film festival. As Manny de Guerre, festival founder, noted for the first time in three years since the founding of the festival this was the most the most celebratory-like opening of the festival. For the very first time the opening of the festival in Saint Petersburg took place in a regular cinema hall. The opening was highly attended and many were left without seating, visitors crowding the steps of the cinema hall. This year’s festival garnered the support of both European cultural institutes, Russian and foreign filmmakers.
 

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, Russia gains backing of Pedro Almodovar, Gus Van Sant and Ken Loach.

Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival which will be held from 15 – 23 October, 2010 in Saint Petersburg, Russia has garnered the support of key figures from world cinema including Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, American director Gus Van Sant and British filmmaker Ken Loach. 

Underlining the festivals significance Ken Loach noted its importance in its contribution to the fight against homophobia and transphobia in Russia: “You are making a brave stand on an important principle: no discrimination on the basis of gender or sexuality. Prejudice comes from ignorance. You are helping dispel that. With warmest good wishes."

Side by Side Lesbian and Gay Film Festival Tests Saint Petersburg’s Tolerance Level for the Third Year Running.

Russia’s only lesbian and gay film festival, Side by Side, is gearing up for its third season of films and discussions set to take place in the city of Saint Petersburg from the 15 – 23 October, 2010. 

III Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival Scheduled in St. Petersburg 15-23 October, 2010

In the region of 40 films from all corners of the globe will be screened at this year’s LGBT film festival in Saint Petersburg. The festival program will include recent winners of international films festivals as well as films from the past. The presence of sexual and gender minorities in the past, present and future as well as tolerance and homophobia in modern society in different countries are the major themes uniting the films. 

Saint Petersburg Public Discuss Lesbian and Gay Rights.

This weekend the Saint Petersburg public have the unique opportunity to discuss the issue of LGBT rights with leading German gay activist Wieland Speck. Wieland Speck will be participating in a special two day event: Cinema and Civil Activism organized by Side by Side LGBT Film Festival in cooperation with the Goethe Institute in Saint Petersburg.

Statement from Festival Organizers Alexey Levin and Maria Shulaeva on the Closing Down of Side by Side in Kemerovo

Events that unfolded in Kemerovo in regards to the Side by Side Film Festival showed unfortunately that the bulk of society was not ready to withstand the test of tolerance.

First Regional Side by Side LGBT Film Festivals held in Siberia: Support and Opposition. The Fight Goes On.

Saint Petersburg LGBT Film Festival Side by Side assesses the Siberian leg of their 2010 tour of the Russian Federation.

Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival receives prize from the Teddy Award Foundation at this years 60th Berlin International Film Festival.

The Teddy Award Foundation has awarded Russia’s first annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) film festival Side by Side a monetary prize of 2000 Euros. The prize was awarded on the opening evening of the 24th Teddy Award by Klaus Mabel Aschenneller director of the Teddy Award Foundation in recognition of Side by Side’s valuable work fighting for LGBT rights in Russia.

Third Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival Accepting Submissions from 11th January – 30th June, 2010

The third annual Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival, scheduled for the autumn between the 15 – 22 October, 2010, is currently accepting film and video submissions.

Russia’s First Annual LGBT Film Festival Side by Side Sets its Sites Further and goes Nationwide in 2010.

In 2010 Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival will move beyond the confines of the Russian North West and into other regions across the Federation. Staggered throughout the year are four three-day film festivals in various locales stretching as far as Siberia.

Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival by Professor Dr Igor S. Kon

At the end of October I had the honour to be a jury member of Side by Side LGBT film festival in St. Petersburg. It was an incredibly important cultural event. People with unconventional gender identity and sexual orientation are an organic part of our society and world culture. Artistic, including cinematographic, reflection and perception of their problems gives us a better understanding of not only them but also of ourselves.

Second Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival Announces 2009 Winners

On 31st October Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival announced the winners for 2009. Competition categories were Best Social Film, Best Enlightening Film, Best Film Representing Human Value and Audience Award.

The Second Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival Starts!

The 1919 film from the Weimar Republic Different from Others directed by Richard Oswald opens the second Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival on 23rd October. On the jury board this year is sociologist Igor Kon, Art Director of OPEN CINEMA film festival Tamara Larina, human rights activist Nina Tagankina, Director of AHOI Culture Mahide Lein and  Director of INOEKINO Sergey Baidak. Competition categories are Best Social Film, Best Enlightening Film, Best Film Representing Human Value and Audience Award. The jury will make their selection from over twenty films.

Side by Side to Screen LGBT Films from the Weimar Republic

At this years second Side by Side International Film Festival a retrospective of LGBT films from the Weimar Republic will be shown. Early classics Different from Others, directed by Richard Oswald (1919), Michael (1924), directed by Karl Theodor Dryer and Girls in Uniform (1931) directed by Leontine Sagan are included on the programme.