Philadelphia QFest is Underway

PHILADELPHIA—2011 QFest (the Philadelphia Gay Film Festival), produced by TLAgay.com and the Philadelphia Cinema Alliance, is underway. Each year one of QFest’s most popular programs spotlights the gay adult industry. For the 17th edition of the festival, the festival audience will be treated to three eye-and-jeans popping programs all rolled into one. Saturday, July 16, at 9:45 p.m. at the Ritz East Theater 1, The Art of Hardcore – Then and Now, produced by TLAgay.com managing director Erik Schut and hosted by the hilariously witty (and porn aficionado) duo of Paper Magazine’s Mickey Boardman and the Village Voice’s Michael Musto, will take festival goers on a journey from porn’s past and rocket them into its future. Delve into porn’s rich history with Smut Capital of America’s incredible archival footage as well as new insights from former stars, theater owners and filmmakers (John Waters’ remarks about a certain bar in the Tenderloin will have you roaring and possibly willing to try a new position); get an exclusive sneak peek at Seed Money, the tentatively-titled work-in-progress documentary about pornographer-turned-philanthropist Chuck Holmes—the man who helped found both Falcon Studios and the Human Rights Campaign; and—as the night’s centerpiece—experience Sagat, a world premiere look at of one of today’s most popular and creative superstars. In an exclusive arrangement, the Sagat himself will be present in-person to answer questions. Sagat is easily one of the most recognizable porn stars on Earth. His much-discussed trademark scalp tattoo initially is what made him stand out in the often overcrowded field of models—once you’ve seen him you never forget him.  Sagat rocketed to superstardom on the heels of searing performances in such modern-day gay adult classics such as TitanMen’s Folsom Filth, Fear and Breakers, in which his ferocious on-camera persona was showcased at its very finest. With appearances in Saw VI, Christophe Honoré’s Man at Bath and indie auteur Bruce LaBruce’s controversial art-meets-hardcore porn L.A. Zombie already under his belt, Sagat is ready to make his move to the mainstream. WHEN: Saturday, July 16, 9:45 p.m. WHERE: Ritz East Theater 1, 125 S. 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 VIP DINNER RECEPTION: Join Sagat, Musto and Boardman from 7-9 p.m. for a private dinner at The Prime Rib to benefit the Philadelphia Cinema Alliance, producers of QFest. $150 includes vodka cocktails sponsored by Smirnoff from 6-7:00 PM, dinner with wine and a champagne toast from 7-9:00 PM in a private VIP room, VIP reserved seating for the film presentation, a free autographed gift of a TitanMen title starring Francois Sagat, and a personal photo with him. Limited space remains. Information and tickets are available here. Image: Francois Sagat