Wes Smoot 4/25/23 Wes Smoot 4/25/23

Billy Eichner and Dyllón Burnside Join Unleashed LGBTQ Live Event - September 2023

Joining a Powerful Lineup of Talent, including Antoni Porowski, Indya Moore, Shangela, and other Industry Leaders making Noise in the LGBTQ+ Market

DALLAS — APRIL 25, 2023 — Unleashed LGBTQ, a first-of-its-kind conference and entertainment festival creating a space for brands, artists, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect, is thrilled to announce new talent joining its lineup, including Billy Eichner and Dyllón Burnside, for its first live and in-person Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 conference, taking place at Gilley’s in Dallas, Texas, from September 22 - 24, 2023. Unleashed event organizers also welcome iHeartMedia back as media partners to activate the programming as the official audio partners for the festival’s first ever in-person event.

"Our first live, in-person, event is going to create a synergy between talent, the business community and the entertainment industry in a way no LGBTQ+ event has ever done before,” said Founder, Wesley Smoot. “Companies sending representatives to our event will be able to take advantage of all opportunities available, whether it’s for educational purposes, networking or entertainment, LGBTQ+ professionals or others focused on allyship, will reap the benefits of our educational and entertainment-based lineup. We have dedicated an entire area to workshops for attendees to learn new skills from today's thought leaders and we’re confident companies sending entire departments to Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 will have a more informed, supercharged team that will be lightyears ahead of other brands.”

Each day at Unleashed LGBTQ will begin with educational topics — from workshops and panels discussing business (advertising, marketing, DEI), society (non-profit, advocacy), and personal (financial planning, continuing education) development – and will feature high-tech brand activations and experiential marketing installments throughout the venue, before transitioning to entertainment that will include screenings, drag shows, stand-up comedy, and musical performances. Attendees will be enriched by professional development and networking opportunities through the Unleashed LGBTQ event app (developed by WebEx/Cisco) and at specialized mixers and unique branded activations through the award-winning Freeman event services.

The growing lineup of talent will include:

● Billy Eichner Co-writer and Star of Bros (Universal Pictures), Billy on the Street, The Lion King (Disney), American Horror Story (FX), Difficult People (Hulu)

● Antoni Porowski Emmy-Award Winning Show Queer Eye (Netflix), Host of Easy Bake Battle (Netflix), Author of Antoni in the Kitchen & Antoni: Let's do Dinner

● Indya Moore Emmy Award-Winning Show POSE, Yves Saint Laurent Cosmetics, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

● Shangela Emmy Award-Winning Shows We're Here (HBO), RuPaul's Drag Race, & RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (MTV)

● Dyllon Burnside Emmy Award-Winning Show Pose,Emmy Award-Winning Show POSE, Emmy-Award winning PBS docuseries PRIDELAND, Golden Globe nominated limited series MONSTER. GLAAD & HRC award recipient

● Daniel Franzese, Mean Girls (Paramount Pictures), Ru Paul's Drag Race (MTV), Looking (HBO)

● Kelly Ann Winget, Founder & CEO of Alternative Wealth Partners, Over $1B in private equity raised, Host of The Wealth Alpha podcast, and Author of Pitch the Bitch (April 2023)

● Brian Sims, Former Penn State Rep., LGBTQ+ Advocate & Speaker, Managing Director of Government Affairs & Policy at Out Leadership, Board Member at Campus Pride & GLSEN

● Naomi Green, MBA Speaker, Marketer, Professor, and Transgender Advocate

● Ashley Brundage, President & CEO of Empowering Differences, Author of Empowering Differences, Transgender Advocate, Former DEI Vice President at PNC Bank, Mother

● Dr. Carlton Thomas, Gastro-Intestinal Medical Doctor, Social Media Sensation, Contributor to Men's Health Magazine, LGBTQ+ Consultant to the White House & the CDC

● Matt Skallerud, Founder & President of Pink Media, Host of #iLoveGayToday, former President of IGLTA, Award-Winning Online Marketer connecting businesses to the LGBTQ+ consumers

● Vicky & Charisse Pasche, Co-Founders of Dapper Boi – body-inclusive and gender-neutral apparel – Marketing, Sales, and Entrepreneurial Experts, Wives and Mothers of Twins

● Stacey Stevenson, CEO of Family Equality, Co-Founder of The Changists (Law Firm Consulting), LGBTQ+ Activist, Speaker, Mother of Two

● Gary Sanchez Sr., Director of Community Impact at Visit Dallas, Former Chairman at North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Chairman at Chamber Foundation

● Brad Pritchett, Award-Winning Marketing Executive, Chief Experience Officer at DMA (Dallas Museum of Art), Host of The Good, The Brad, & The Ugly podcast

Unleashed LGBTQ is also partnering with the iconic Alamo Drafthouse to host screenings of new LGBTQ+ content from streaming services, movie studios, and television networks. Independent filmmakers can submit works for Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 Film Festival at:

https://www.filmfreeway.com/unleashedlgbtq

Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC is proud to have received support, endorsements, and/or grants from the following organizations: DTPID (Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District), Visit Dallas, North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, NLGCC (National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce), & IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association).

Other partners include Gilead Sciences, iHeart Media, equalpride, and Kelly Ann Winget.

About UNLEASHED LGBTQ, LLC

Unleashed LGBTQ, a space for brands, entertainers, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect, will host its inaugural, live event September 22nd - 24th, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. Attendees can learn about the latest products, services, and campaigns debuting in the LGBTQ+ market in a fun and interactive environment. Unleashed LGBTQ provides premier networking opportunities for professionals in a variety of industries. Unleashed LGBTQ will host speakers, panels, and performances from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ+ culture, including film, television, music, and business. Stay tuned for additional Talent announcements.

Tickets are currently on sale on the event website here: https://www.unleashedlgbtq.com For more information on partnerships and company group rates visit: www.unleashedlgbtq.com

CONTACT:

Nicole Rodrigues

NRPR Group for Unleashed LGBTQ

Nicole@nrprgroup.com

424-421-9610

To request press credentials email:

press@unleashedlgbtq.com

Wes Smoot 3/17/22 Wes Smoot 3/17/22

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent: Film Review

By Wesley Ferrell

When I was initially approached with the opportunity to attend the world premiere The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent and write a review of the film, I was hesitant. I’m not the biggest Nick Cage fan in the world, I was honestly of the opinion his films were corny, lame, and they peaked at National Treasure, as that was the last film of his I recalled seeing. After all, a film of Nicholas Cage, of all actors, playing himself? Even from the first trailers appearing on my Instagram feed I was skeptical on whether the finished product would be a watchable film for people who weren’t devoted Cage enthusiasts. What I was surprised to find was an endearing love letter to Nick Cage himself, his fans, and his work. The metatextual narrative was refreshing, the comedy left the whole theater in a roar of applause and laughter multiple times, and it even had some homoerotic tension between the main leads and Cage with… himself?

The film begins as a character study on Cage himself, highlighting his broken relationship with his fictional daughter and wife due to his overcommitment to his work. This first act portrays Cage as an egotistical, washed-up actor struggling to find work. Feeling his career is over, he takes a risk by attending the birthday party of a self-proclaimed Nicholas Cage superfan played by Pedro Pascal. From here the film transforms into a spy-action drama in which the CIA uses Cage as a special operative to uncover the dark underbelly of this superfan’s cartel operation, believing him to have kidnapped the daughter of a South American political candidate. Throughout the film, Nick and Javi desperately try to draft a film together. Believing that Cage’s estranged relationship with his family is giving him writer’s block, Javi flies his family out to his compound in Spain. We discover later that Javi, Pascal’s character, is being manipulated by the real kingpin, his cousin. Cage’s daughter Addy, played by Lily Mo Sheen, is then kidnapped by the Javi’s cousin, and the film reaches the climax after Cage stabs the kingpin of the operation. The film closes on the final product of the film being a dramatization of the film we watched with the family reunited, clearly in higher spirits than what we saw in the first act.

"Nick Cage (Nicolas Cage, left) enjoying a welcome drink on Javi Gutierezz's' (Pedro Pascal, right) compound in Mallorca, Spain. Photo Credit: Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate

The film being drafted by the main characters is a metatextual commentary on the movie we’re watching. While Javi and Nick are drafting the film, if you listen carefully, their ideas for the film line up with the plot points. At one point in the story, in an instance of foreshadowing, the main characters change their story from a character driven narrative structure to an action film. They even say the meta film has “something for everyone,” which rings true for The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Even those who normally don’t enjoy Cage on screen will appreciate this one. I really liked this method of storytelling because it sets it apart from other films. It’s not like anything I’ve ever seen before.

There are countless references to the earlier works of Nick Cage, and likely most of them flew right over my head. Some of the few I did catch included Cage walking into the pool and having Javi dive in after him, referencing Leaving Las Vegas. Javi’s grotesque wax sculpture of cage holds replicas of the golden guns he wielded in Face/Off. Even internet culture is referenced when Cage notices a sequin pillow of his face hiding among the collection of memorabilia owned by Javi.

Tiffany Haddish ("Vivian", left) snaps a quick selfie with Nicolas Cage. (“Nicolas Cage”, right) while undercover at the airport in THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT. Photo Credit: Karen Ballard/Lionsgate

It's clear that the film was a labor of love for director Tom Gormican. In fact, Cage originally wasn’t interested in the film until he discovered how much appreciation for his workGormican held. Cage said during a Q&A after the screening, “Tom wrote me a very thoughtful, very enthusiastic letter, and I realized that he wasn’t trying to do like a(n) Andy Samberg SNL sketch mocking whatever so-called Nick Cage is, but that he was actually interested in some of the earlier work and wanted to maybe showcase that…”

Now, let’s get into the gay stuff. The film immediately gets representation points for casting everyone’s favorite gay Neil Patrick Harris as this fictional Nick Cage’s manager. Early in the film they go into a spa to receive a very homoerotic massage in which a masochistic Harris enjoys a flogging session on a massage table while Cage is visibly uncomfortable.

Neil Patrick Harris ("Richard") chats on the phone with his client Nick Cage in THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT. Photo Credit: Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate

The chemistry between the main leads is incredible, and when viewed through a queer lens adds another level of depth to their relationship. One of the first interactions between the leads, Pedro Pascal comes out by the pool clad in only a button down and a speedo. Call it a European thing, but through a queer lens, one might see this as an invitation to gaze. Nevertheless, Cage seems to act a bit shocked by Javi’s openness.

Javi Gutierrez' (Pedro Pascal, right) attempts to hide their paranoia that people are watching them. Javi Gutierrez' (Pedro Pascal, left) and 'Nick Cage' (Nicolas Cage, right) zooming through the mountains of Mallorca, Spain. Photo Credit: Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate

Javi’s obsession with Cage is claimed to only be a parasocial appreciation of his work, but come on, who are they kidding? Anyone that keeps a wax figure of their idol must be a little bit attracted to them. They even exchange an “I love you” near the end of the film, despite this being handwaved away with Javi being attracted to his assistant. Bi representation, maybe?

Of course we can’t talk about homoeroticism without touching on the scene in which Nick Cage makes out with a younger version of himself who also happens to be a figment of his imagination. It’s the only explicitly homosexual act on the screen, so I had to mention it if we’re speaking on queer theory.

Overall, the film really does have something for everyone. Cage’s campy acting, the over the top action, the adorable bromance between the leads, the genuinely laugh out loud comedy, all of these aspects wrapped up in a little bow results in an amazing feature for both Cage fans and haters alike. This film changed my perspective on Cage’s career, and I can see it doing that for others too. See it in theaters April 22nd.

Wes Smoot 2/23/22 Wes Smoot 2/23/22

Dad Throws Teen Party to Celebrate Her First Period.

Ok, not exactly, but not-not exactly.

The Karuk Tribe (Northern California) have long performed a ceremony called a Ihuk. Not familiar?, neither was I. Ihuk is a coming of age celebration for a young girl’s transitions into womanhood following her first menstrual cycle. Not something many girl’s might want announced, let alone celebrated with friends and family.

But why is the subject of menstruation taboo?

Long Line of Ladies is a documentary short directed by Rayka Zehtabchi and Shaandiin Tome. While both fairly young, they’re no amateurs to filmmaking.

Rayka Zehtabchi is an award-winning director. In fact, her film Period. End of Sentence (available on Netflix) made her the first Iranian woman to win an Oscar. Shaandiin Tome has some bragging rights of her own. Her award-winning, break-out short film "Mud (Hashtł’ishnii)" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018.

Loves it.

We got the opportunity to ask some questions to these accomplished and talented directors about their new documentary short, Long Line of Ladies, being featured this March at SXSW 2022.

Pinkies up, now sip!

Directors: Shaandiin Tome & Rayka Zehtabchi

What inspired you to make this documentary?

This documentary has been a long time coming. On Rayka’s side, this short doc is almost like a reprise, but with a different approach, on menstrual equity in communities. Her short documentary Period. End of Sentence., was an exploration into a community that treats menstruation as taboo. With the help of The Pad Project, there was the wish to make something that was more of a celebration rather than a detriment. On my (Shaandiin’s) side, I have been in the space of Indigenous Film and Media since I’ve started my career. So, I’m always on a trajectory of finding ways to uplift and make the Indigenous narrative known and celebrated.

How did you first hear about The Karuk Tribe and Ihuk.

Rayka did a lot of research, I think weeks or months, of exploring different communities that celebrated menstruation. She found a website that was a recent documentation of the Ihuk ceremony by Ty’ithreeha Allen; it was from her perspective, having recently gone through it. Rayka reached out to Pimm Allen (her mom) and then found out that she had another daughter, Ahty, that was about to go through her ceremony. So, the stars aligned in such a lovely way for us to begin meeting with the family and finding ways to listen and understand more of their story.

Was it a culture shock to see something that is not openly discussed be celebrated?

Speaking more for myself (Shaandiin), it wasn’t as much of a culture shock. I am Diné (Navajo), and we have a similar coming of age ceremony called the Kinaaldá. However, because of boarding schools, my family wasn’t as established in tradition, and I opted out of mine because of how intimidating I thought it was. I think if I saw something like this when I was younger, it would have inspired me to take pride in who I was at the time and delve deeper into what it meant for me to be a young Diné woman. It’s astonishing to see a family that is so in tune to who they are and how they pass knowledge to their children; I think a lot of what people might see as a culture shock isn’t necessarily just how menstruation is talked about openly, but how the whole community is so much different than what we see in a western culture.

What do you hope this documentary helps accomplish for young girls and the public’s perception of menstruation?

Ahty should be the one to answer this question. She is the reason this whole project came together, and all because she wanted to put a positive image out there of what it means to be a young woman coming of age. Rayka and I have talked about it a lot where we wish we could grow up again, knowing what we have learned from this process. Overall, this documentary helps create a perspective of how a whole community comes together to uplift a woman, and she isn’t able to go through this process alone. I think that speaks for what a lot of young women are hoping for at this time in their lives; it’s not an individual taking. It takes a strong community.

Any upcoming projects we should look out for?

We are always working, haha. But we actually have a similar journey in wanting to go back to our originating passion of film, narrative! We have been on a fortunate journey of being able to document life in front of us, but we also both love to craft worlds and find expression through them. So hopefully, we will both be working on narrative projects (but if I had to bet, Rayka will have something out sooner than me!)

So let's hear it for the girls!… and these accomplished young filmmakers who took it upon themselves to share a culture and tradition that celebrates, uplifts, and makes women feel seen, respected, and included. Let’s see to it that one day conversations like these will be normalized. Period.

Long Line of Ladies premiered at the 2022 Sundance Festival and is scheduled for SXSW 2022:

March 13, 2022, 11:30 AM Rollins Theatre at The Long Center

March 14, 2022, 9:00 AM Online

March 17, 2022, 6:45 PM Alamo Drafthouse Lamar D

Wes Smoot 2/15/22 Wes Smoot 2/15/22

Unleashed LGBTQ to Cover QUEER Experience at SXSW 2022

Live events are back and I have to say, few events have me pumped like the return of SXSW.

Every year industry professionals from around the globe meet in Austin Texas to learn about the latest in a variety of industries. While focus for this groundbreaking event was initially centered around music and film, we have seen SXSW expand, every year, into more and more fields and industries— covering topics that include everything from finance to transportation and even oil and gas. If it’s new and innovative, South by is where you’ll find it. This 9-day conference and festival offers insight on the latest in film, music, tech and more through screenings, panels and showcases. There’s endless branded activations and art installations. It’s experiential marketing at its finest.

However, that hasn’t been the case, at least for the last two years.

Actresses Abbi Jacobson (L) and Ilana Glazer attend the premiere of the "Broad City" series finale at ZACH Theatre on March 10, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SXSW)

The only shutdown I like is after I read a bitch— but with the rollout of vaccines, new guidelines, and recent drops in Covid-19 cases, group gatherings of this scale are once again possible. People are doing their part and it shows. To that I say, Yasssssss!!!

This light at the end of the tunnel is making it possible for one of the largest and most prestigious gatherings of talent and industry professionals to reconnect once again. (Missed y'all!)

Film subject Kathy Griffin attends the premiere for "Kathy Griffin: A Hell of A Story" during the 2019 SXSW Conference and Festivals at ZACH Theatre on March 11, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SXSW)

When attending SXSW, it's not uncommon to rub shoulders with movers and shakers, even high-profile celebs… But what or who’s gonna be the next big thing is what I find most fascinating. Ambition and opportunity sets the scene.

You can be drinking a beer with the next tech millionaire or attending the show of the next rock band who will one day grace covers of magazines. We all love a good success story. Seems anything’s possible and I’m here for it!

So what’s to be said about LGBTQ inclusion at SXSW?

Lizzo performs onstage during the 2019 SXSW Conference and Festivals. (Photo by Stephen Olker)

In the past we have seen queer artists, performers, speakers, and panelists offer insight into our unique culture. as well as LGBTQ icons and allies showing support with important, thought provoking messages through powerful performances, screenings, keynotes and panels.

Film critic and contributing writer Arnold Jones called SXSW “An intoxicating crossroads of bohemianism and commerce, SXSW embraced alternative and queer in its many definitions– quirky, cool, campy.”

Stacey Abrams speaks onstage at Featured Session: Lead from the Outside: How to Make Real Change during the 2019 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Hilton Austin on March 11, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Danny Matson/Getty Images for SXSW)

Since its inception, SXSW, has been a pioneer of inclusion, reaching across cultural divides. These opportunities have provided platforms for under-represented individuals (like LGBTQ and POC) to connect with decision makers that can elevate careers to new heights.

Walt Disco showcase presented by British Music Embassy. Photo by Thomas Jackson

Some of these dynamic queer persons of interest photographed from SXSW 2019 can be seen below. (Zachary Quinto, Lance Bass, and Beanie Feldstein)

Ashleigh Cummings (L) and Zachary Quinto attend "NOS4A2" Premiere during the 2019 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Alamo Lamar D on March 11, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Hutton Supancic/Getty Images for SXSW)Bud

Lance Bass speaks onstage at Featured Session: Lance Bass during the 2019 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Austin Convention Center on March 13, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Travis P Ball/Getty Images for SXSW)

Kaitlyn Dever, Olivia Wilde, Beanie Feldstein attends the "Booksmart" Premiere - 2019 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Paramount Theatre on March 10, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for SXSW)

While not all events are currently listed for SXSW 2022 (schedule will continue to be updated leading up to event), here’s some LGBTQ events to include in your SXSW GO App’s calendar:

LGBTQ+ Sex Education for Brands 11:30 AM-12:30 AM | March 16
Speakers: Arielle Egozi, Kayla Gore, Graham Nolan, Alicia Sinclair
A Clarion Call for More LGBTQ Inclusion in Sports 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | March 13
Speakers: Katie Barnes, Chris Mosier, Amit Paley, Adam Rippon
LGBTQ+ Rights & Politics 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | March 12
Speakers: Rebecca Marques, Ricardo Martinez, Emmett Schelling, Jessica Shortall
Social Media Platform Accountability: LGBTQ+ Edition 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM | March 12
Speakers: Jenni Olson, Brennan Suen, Alok Vai-Menon
Marginalized Voices in Film & TV Journalism 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | March 13
Speaker: Dino-Ray Ramos
Tech-Driven Trends in Adult Entertainment 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | March 13
Speaker: Buck Angel, Shirley Lara, Sinnamon Love, Courtney Trouble
No Label, No Problem: Indie Artist Steps to Success 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Speakers: Andreea Gleeson, Vickie Nauman, Lie Ning, Hessel von Oorschot
Speak for Yourself 11:30 PM - 12:30 PM | March 14
Speakers: Gina Chua, Cheryl Phillips, Aron Pilhofer
The Black Agenda 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | March 14
Speaker: Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman
How Do I Un-Remember This? 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | March 14
Speaker: Danny Pellegrino
Inclusion Revolution: How Hybrid Work Boosts DEI 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM March 15
Speakers: Antoine Andrews, Aman Bhutani, Sam Bright, Sheela Subramanian
Meet the Women of Evolving the Gaming Industry 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | March 15
Speakers: Jill Kenney, Shannon Liao, Makeda Loney, Alanah Pearce
Helping Queer Youth Find Joy 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM | March 15
Speaker: Brian Wenke

Unleashed LGBTQ will keep you updated on what’s to come as well as what’s happening at the events through the lens of these dramatic rainbow shades. Follow us on social media for live coverage of events. We are proud and honored to cover all things fabulous at this year’s SXSW. Thank you to the organizers for including us. Muah!

For more information on attending, line-up, and marketing opportunities visit: www.sxsw.com

Attending SXSW?… do download the SXSW GO App and link your badge for optimal experience. Trust. No, seriously. Trust. Also, if you’re not vegan, try the brisket!