CineKink Annual Film Festival Talks Consent & Kinky Lusts

NEW YORK CITY—The 15th annual CineKink NYC begins on Wednesday, March 14, and it will consist of a specially-curated program of films and videos that celebrate and explore a wide diversity of sexuality. In addition to screenings, plans for the festival also include a short film competition, presentations, audience choice awards, a fund-raising kick-off gala and a concluding "AfterGlow" play party. Billing itself as "the kinky film festival," the event will run March 14-18, 2018. Presented by CineKink, an organization dedicated to the recognition and encouragement of sex-positive and kink-friendly depictions in film and television, works presented at CineKink NYC will range from documentary to drama, comedy to experimental, mildly spicy to quite explicit—and everything in between. "We are thrilled, and slightly dumbfounded, to be celebrating our 15th anniversary this year," said Lisa Vandever, co-founder and Director of CineKink. "Looking back on all the films we've presented since 2003, it's so gratifying that we've been able to connect so many smart and sexy works with an appreciative, like-minded audience. And we're looking forward to another year of it." The CineKink NYC festivities begin Wednesday, March 14, at 8 PM, with a fundraising kick-off extravaganza to be held at M1-5 Lounge (52 Walker Street, NYC), a pansexual celebration that includes burlesque performances, sexy "sensation stations" for the kink-curious, a raffle of sex-positive swag, and some decadent cinematic morsels. The festival then moves to Anthology Film Archives (32 Second Avenue, NYC) from Thursday, March 15 through Saturday, March 17, with several different film and video programs scheduled for each day. A filmmakers’ crowdfunding workshop, an awards celebration and an AfterGlow play party complete the festival's run on Sunday, March 18. THURSDAYFirst up, on Thursday, March 15 at 7 PM, the shorts program "Come Again?" brings together a sizzling assortment of new works from many of the filmmakers and performers whose work has graced the CineKink screen over its 15 years. Then, at 9:15 PM, V-Card: The Film follows a 23-year-old virgin (not for lack of trying), as he sets out on a comedic, documentary journey to discover what virginity means in our society, and why he’s been so unlucky at lust. FRIDAYOn Friday, March 16 at 7 PM, accompanied by several shorts on the role of fantasy in relationships, the feature film Fantasy looks at the increasingly surreal measures one couple takes to rekindle their desires and reclaim intimacy. And at 9:15 PM, "Mixings & Minglings" is a collection of lusty shorts exploring libidinous pursuit, from solo act to group expression. SATURDAYKicking off Saturday, March 17 at 1 PM, "Consent Counts" features shorts addressing the topic of consent, followed by a panel discussion that expands the conversation to include all that is relevant in this time of the #MeToo movement.At 3:15 PM, it’s a screening of works that explore and celebrate sex as work, including Red Umbrella Rights, a documentary focus on the founders of the International Day To End Violence Against Sex Workers, and ongoing efforts to further sex worker rights.At 5:15 PM, CineKink's annual showcase "Bring It!" features a dazzling array of talent from today's adult cinema, each representing a wide range of genres and visual styles, all stepping up with a hot sampling of their recent endeavors.At 7:30 PM, a round-up of shorts, "Sex & Monsters," explores some of the darker desires lurking deep inside - and out in the woods.And at 9:45 PM, "Give & Take" is a kinky collection of shorts that probe, prod and play with the dynamics of sexual power and release, control and submission. SUNDAYFor everyone inspired during CineKink to further their own cinematic endeavors, a workshop, Crowdfunding For Career Independence, will take place from 2:30 to 4:30 PM. CineKink NYC concludes the evening of Sunday, March 18 at 7 PM, with the CineKink Awards Celebration, including presentation of the annual festival awards, to be followed at 9 PM by the CineKink Afterglow party, one last chance to mingle with like-minded festival-goers and enjoy a few additional screenings, this time in a relaxed, play party setting. The location for all Sunday events is Bowery Bliss, a club located on the Lower East Side. (The exact address will be provided upon advance RSVP/purchase.) For more information, click here. Tickets and passes may be purchased via Elevent.