SAN FRANCISCO—What gets you hot and bothered? What makes you laugh? What makes you say “WHAAA?!?” Independent filmmakers from around the world are ready to show you in seven minutes or less as part of Good Vibrations’ Sixth Annual Indie Erotic Film Festival (IXFF) from Sept. 17-22 at various venues in San Francisco.
With an all-star lineup of thematic screenings, panels, and features leading up to the shorts competition at the Castro Theatre, IXFF celebrates the spectrum of sexuality in this uniquely San Franciscotradition.
Signing on as sponsors of this year’s event are adult novelty manufacturers Toyfriend and Fun Factory USA.
"Toyfriend is happy to be a title sponsor along with our European friends, Fun Factory for this great week long event!" said Eric Kalen, designer and creator of Toyfriend. "It is great to be able to work with such progressive and community supporting companies such as Good Vibrations. We are happy to have STEME as our U.S. representation as they seem to be doing a fine job of getting us noticed in places that we might have missed before."
Joe Curtis, CEO of Fun Factory, stated, "After beginning my tenure here at Fun Factory USA, this opportunity was presented to us and we are so excited to be supporting the event yet again. We see good things coming from Good Vibrations such as their market growth and of course the opportunities to reach out to the public such as IXFF."
Good Vibrations, the trusted Bay Area retailer that takes pride in providing accurate information on sexuality and toys for grown-ups, presents erotic cinema that goes far beyond the standard erotic fare offered by mainstream media, be they funny, romantic, hardcore, no sex, gay, straight, lesbian, queer, or kinky.
On Sept. 22, saucy Indie film queen and drag celebrity extraordinaire Peaches Christ and Good Vibration’s own staff sexologist Dr. Carol Queen welcome you to the international short film competition where you can see what’s hot in New Zealand, Mexico, France, Israel, North America and beyond, all in seven minutes or less. For those envisioning an awkward night of TMI, rest assured that the films go far beyond amateur porn, and while Peaches Christ and her veteran drag queen friends Hugz Bunny and Lady Bear are on hand to bring comic relief to the unusual experience of watching sex on screen with strangers, Dr. Carol Queen calls out the short films' sexological significance.
Lube up for a night of sex and laughs upstairs at the Barbary Coast themed pre-party in the Castro Theatre mezzanine where whiskey, women and song welcome you to a night of decadence with sexy prize, live music, ye olde mustache booth and bawdy burlesque by Twilight Vixen Revue.
IXFF Producer Camilla Lombard said, “Good Vibrations loves bringing people together to celebrate life, love, art, and sexual education and liberation—and what better reason than a week-long erotic film festival in our gorgeous city by the Bay? A recent study indicated that San Franciscans have the most sex partners in America, so it’s only fitting that we should celebrate it with our very own festival!”
Good Vibrations Independent Erotic Film Festival was awarded SF Weekly’s "Best Place to see your (Talented and Attractive) Neighbors Naked."
The festivities kick off on Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Victoria Theatre with best-selling author and sex-positive feminist Susie Bright’s How to Read a Dirty Movie. The first serious erotic film industry critic, Susie will bring us through the annals of porn history and illustrate how outspoken women and erotic outliers transformed and revolutionized both Hollywood and porn. Prepare to be amused, aroused, entertained and educated at this one-of-a-kind event.
On Sunday, Sept. 18, IXFF presents a Night of Lust: Explicit Erotic Shorts by Erika Lust (Spain) at Roxie Cinema. Mark the calendar for a very special date night featuring an evening of artistic porn and erotica from one of Europe’s hottest filmmakers. Enjoy a collection of lush, sensual and artistic erotic shorts portraying authentic female pleasure in a variety of sexy scenarios.
On Tuesday, Sept. 20, IXFF exalts gay porn with A Celebration of Sleaze! Gay porn panel, clip show, and screening of Smut Capital of America at the SF LGBT Center. Spend an evening with the kings of gay porn and enjoy a collection of their favorite scenes followed by a panel discussion exploring the cinematic, aesthetic, and erotic visions of the top gay porn producers in the world from porn powerhouses Naked Sword, Titan, Treasure Island, Falcon and Raging Stallion.
On Wednesday, Sept. 21, IXFF celebrates lesbian and queer filmmaking with Pink & White Delight: an Evening with Shine Louise Houston featuring a special clip show screening and director Q&A at the SF LGBT Center. Join Shine Louise Houston, founder of Pink & White Productions, as she journeys through some of her favorite selections and speaks about creating a sustainable adult entertainment company that exposes the complexities of queer sexual desire.
Straight, gay, queer, or kinky, you will find it at the festival finale at Good Vibrations’ short film competition at the Castro Theatre on Sept. 22. Look forward to Mexican wrestling with superheroes, see what happens in a sexy hotel when you put the “please disturb” sign on the door in Room 33, see how one man answers the ultimate ultimatum in Me or the Porn, and embrace your lusty carnivore in Burger Time, among others. Audience choice winner receives $1,500.
"People who send us films have a chance to really mate their own creative impulses with their erotic fascinations and social messages," said Carol Queen, Good Vibrations' staff sexologist. "The results are always interesting and frequently very sexy and moving indeed. These short films represent sexual cinema with the artistry and diversity put back in that so frequently is absent from both porn and mainstream movies."
Sponsors for IXFF include: Toyfriend, Fun Factory, LELO, XBIZ, Jimmyjane, Vixen Creations, Doc Johnson, SF Bay Guardian, East Bay Express, Bay Area Reporter, Curve Magazine, Me Bath & Body, Leather etc., Eros, Twin Peaks Tavern, Lexington Club, SF Mix Bar, The Sausage Factory, Sliquid, Sir Richards, Digital Playground, Evolution Fresh Juice, Hot Cookie, Del Arco Tequila, Dark Garden, and Good Vibrations' sister company, the award-winning video producers Good Releasing.
For tickets and details, visit www.GV-IXFF.org.
