Pictured: Bright Light Bright Light. Courtesy of: Harvey Milk Festival

The 6th Annual Harvey Milk Festival kicks off tonight at Burns Court Cinema with a screening of the film Tiger Orange, ushering in three days of film, music and visual art celebrating the artistic achievements and endeavours of the LGBT community in Sarasota/Bradenton and beyond. In addition to tonight’s screening, this year’s festival includes a special curated show at Equality Gallery opening on Friday, showcasing area LGBT artists, and the always-popular closing concert in Five Points Park, bringing 10 bands and solo artists to the stage for near nine hours of community celebration.

Begun six years ago by local organizer, Shannon Fortner, and named for the San Francisco city leader who became the first openly gay person to hold public office in California, the festival continues to expand, according to Harvey Milk Festival vice president Turner Moore, which includes renewed focus on film, a later development for the festival.

“It adds a different arts component to the event in recognizing what other LGBT people are doing out there in the entertainment world,” said Moore, who joined the festival in its second year. “Every year, notable LGBT films come out and it made sense to include them.” Tiger Orange, which tells the story of two gay brothers reconnecting in their hometown after a long estrangement, won the Grand Jury Award for Best Actor at the latest Outfest Film Festival in Los Angeles. Local writer Anthony Paull will play host while comedian Blake McIntyre delivers a set before the film.

The festival continues the following night on the third floor of The Hub, where curators Amanda Nicole and Natalya Swanson will unveil the 2015 Equality exhibit, bringing work from local, regional and national artists together for a fleeting show from 7pm-11pm. Local musicians Lesa Silvermore and Sandi Grecco are also slated to perform.

The revelry culminates Sunday afternoon at Five Points Park, where ten bands and a handful of speakers, including Fortner and keynote speaker Ken Shelin, will perform a series of sets from 2:30pm to midnight. Attendees will recognize local favorites such as Jami Gee and MeteorEYES, as well as national headlining acts like Bright Light Bright Light, the Welsh performer previously touring his debut album with greats like Elton John. In this arena especially, the festival is gaining national and international traction, says Moore. “This year, for the first time, promoters and booking agents are contacting us,” said Moore. “We’re building some great credibility in the music world.”

But, of course, the festival isn’t just fun for fun’s sake, and that’s important to Moore. “It’s a great way for the general public to be made aware of the LGBT equality struggles,” said Moore, citing Florida as the last state to lift bans on adoptions by gay couples and the state’s recent lift on the ban on gay marriage. “Incrementally, we’re making a lot of progress. Florida is an incredibly diverse state and equality issues affect all of us.”

The Harvey Milk Festival begins tonight at Burns Court Cinema with a screening of Tiger Orange. Tickets cost $10. The 2015 Equality exhibit opens 7pm, May 14, at The Hub and is free to attend. Saturday’s concert in Five Points Park is also free to attend and begins at 2:30pm. 

Pictured: Bright Light Bright Light. Courtesy of: Harvey Milk Festival