Check out my documentary, Three Days in Orlando (Selling Queer), winner of best documentary at the New York Film & Video Festival and selection of the Cannes Film Festival on Dish Network pay-per-view starting January 1st thru February 1st.

The film showcases the commercial fever over the gay community during the Summer of 2004. At the time Queer Eye and Will & Grace were topping the television ratings, Queer as Folk was leaving Showtime and the L Word was just starting. Ad campaigns targeted at the “gay” market started popping up across the entire media landscape and Orlando’s infamous Gay Days was at the heart of it.

The film features appearances by DJ’s, marketing reps, promoters, drag celebrities, and inside footage from some of the largest circuit parties of the time. Even local politicians and clergy make appearances.

I directed the project because of my interest in sociology and subcultures and in its initial theatrical run it stirred up quite a controversy because of the unflattering way I portrayed some of the promoters who were reaching for higher profits where there used to be charitable contributions. I also received actual death threats because I was a straight man airing the alleged “dirty laundry” of the gay community. I still don’t see how I painted anyone as anything tey weren’t. To this day IMDB gives it a weighted average of 2 stars with a mathematical average of 7.  Heralded by critics and festival audiences, but ultimately polarizing in the gay community Selling Queer stands out as a unique window on a unique time in the history of mainstream homosexuality.

No home video release is planned for the film, so this might be a great time to catch it.