Good Vibrations Celebrating Erotic Films With 5-Day Festival

SAN FRANCISCO — Good Vibrations, the Bay Area’s renowned sex toy retailer, has announced five days of parties and programming culminating with the fifth annual Independent Erotic Film Festival (IXFF) competition on Sept. 23. u h

The IXFF competition brings together international filmmakers at the Castro Theater in San Francisco to showcase their works, which explore what’s “hot” and “sexy” in seven minutes or less.

Indie film star and drag queen celebrity Peaches Christ and Good Vibrations’ staff sexologist Dr. Carol Queen will host the festival, which will award $1,500 to winner of the audience’s choice.

"People who send us films have a chance to really mate their own creative impulses with their erotic fascinations and social messages," Queen said. "The results are always interesting and frequently very sexy and moving indeed. These short films represent sexual cinema with the artistry and diversity put back in that so frequently is absent from both porn and mainstream movies."

Prior to the main event, Christ and Queen also will host a pre-party featuring live mariachis, margaritas, burlesque dancing and giveaways at the Castro Theater.

“There are a million different film festivals out there, but IXFF gives filmmakers a chance to challenge mainstream media’s definition of ‘sexy,’ and gives film goers an opportunity to watch sexy, funny, arty shorts in the company of riotous drag queens at one of the most beautiful theatres in America,” said Camilla Lombard, Good Vibrations’ festival producer. “What could be more fun than that?”

The festivities kick off on Saturday, Sept. 18 with a party at El Rio and clip show screening of “alternative hipster porn” from Good Vibrations’ sister company, Good Releasing.

Indie films and performers that were recently honored at the Feminist Porn Awards in Toronto, Canada, will be showcased. Following the clip show, San Francisco’s queer burlesque troupe the Diamond Daggers will entertain.

On Sept. 19 IXFF exalts gay porn with “A Celebration of Sleaze,” which will include a panel featuring filmmakers and talent from gay porn companies Titan and Naked Sword, which will discuss the changing industry. The panel will be followed by a clip show of the panel’s favorite scenes and a live dance performance by gay performer Michael Brandon.

On Sept. 21, Hot Euro Porn Night will be held at the Red Vic Movie House. The event will feature samplings of heterosexual artistic European erotica, including a screening of “Matinee,” an erotic drama by feminist porn director Jennifer Lyon Bell. A Q&A session with Bell will follow the screening.

Shar Rednour and Jackie Strano of SIR Productions will present “Lesbo Retro: Dyke Porn Through the Ages,” a clip show of lesbian porn and discussion on Sept. 22 at the Women’s Building in San Francisco. A pizza and beer reception is planned to follow.

Sponsors of the IXFF include Liberator, Lelo, Stockroom, Outlaw Leather, We-Vibe, Fun Factory, Kink.com, Sliquid, among others.

For more information, visit GV-IXFF.org