Podtalk: REELING41 Begins on Sept. 21, 2023, with Opening Night Film ‘The Mattachine Family’

Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 19, 2023 - 11:06pm

CHICAGO – The 41st edition of the REELING International LBGTQ+ Film Festival kicks off on September 21st, 2023, and runs through October 7th. The Opening Night film is “The Mattachine Family” at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre. For info/tickets click REELING41.

“The Mattachine Family” features the very-much-in-love married couple Thomas (Nico Tortorella) and Oscar (Juan Pablo Di Pace) in a story about family, both made and found. When their foster child reunites with his birth mother, Thomas and Oscar deal with the loss in very different ways, and realize they have differing ideas on what makes a family. Loosely based on director/writer Andy Vallentine and writer Danny Vallentine’s own lived experiences as husbands and potential fathers, the film is a journey on the universality of love, family, and community.

REELING41 Opens with ‘The Mattachine Family,’ Directed by Andy Vallentine
Photo credit: REELINGFilmFestival.org

With 54 programs including narrative features, documentary features, virtual screenings and shorts, there are many ways to enjoy REELING. To check out the schedule for all films and options, click SCHEDULE. For ticket and pass options, click TICKETS.

In a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, director Andy Vallentine of “The Mattachine Family” regarding family and history …

In a Video Clip, Welcome to Opening Night …

The 41st edition of REELING International LBGTQ+ Film Festival runs from September 21st through October 7th, 2023. For tickets, schedule and all information, click REELINGFilmFestival.org.