CineKink Selects 'Kink Crusaders' to Open Eighth Annual Film Festival

NEW YORK, N.Y.—CineKink has announced that the “Season Opener” selection for its eighth annual CineKink NYC film festival, running March 1-6, will be the world premiere of the documentary Kink Crusaders.Directed by Mike Skiff, Kink Crusaders profiles the International Mr. Leather contest, an annual event that started out in a Chicago bar more than 30 years ago and now draws thousands of men from around the world to compete for a title and a sash. As it traces the history of the event, the documentary also reveals the many ways in which the leather community, once a small, insular niche, has expanded into the mainstream. And it delves into the aspirations of its contestants, past and present, who transform their lives through a competition that celebrates not only the art and beauty of masculinity, but also upholds the importance of service and community. "It feels very fitting to return to CineKink's roots with Kink Crusaders," said Lisa Vandever, co-founder and director of CineKink. "Our festival developed out of the spirit of celebration, inclusion and activism we encountered in the leather world. We're very proud to give the film its world premiere and present it to our audiences." The documentary features interviews with International Mr. Leather founder Chuck Renslow, who is scheduled to attend the CineKink NYC screening, health permitting. Additional interviewees include past title-holders Guy Baldwin, Mikel Gerle, David Kloss, Tony Mills, John Pendal and Jeff Tucker. Kink Crusaders will screen on Wednesday, March 2, at 7 p.m. at the Anthology Film Archives, where the majority of the festival screenings are also unfolding. The address is 32 Second Ave., New York. CineKink NYC kicks off the previous evening, March 1, with a gala fundraising kick-off party, and runs through March 6, concluding with an awards ceremony and an AfterGlow closing party. For more information, visit CineKink.com.