Bavo Defurne’s North Sea Texas will close the 26th BFI London Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (23 March-1 April). Peccadillo, one of the UK’s principal distributors, had already signed North Sea Texas up for theatrical release in the UK on 6 April, with VOD and DVD release following in August.
After it’s opening of the Amsterdam Pink Film Days, North Sea Texas by director Bavo Defurne is given yet another top billing at one of Europe’s principal gay movie fests. The director is no stranger to the LLGFF as a short filmmaker and this is a welcome return with his feature debut. “Every frame of this widescreen film is beautiful,” says one of the festival’s reviewers, “whether capturing a single blade of grass blowing in the wind or a tentative kiss. The passionate longing of adolescence is subtly conveyed and avoids the clichés which demand that desire be punished”.
After the festival, Nort Sea Texas will be put up for screening across the UK by distributor Peccadillo. The original Dutch version subtitled in English will be available for viewing in theatres all over Great Britain. Organized by the British film institute, The London Gay and Lesbian Film Festival is held every spring. In the summer, a selection of films screened at the festival embarks on a UK tour, airing in cinema theatres across the country.
Last year, North Sea Texas landed both the Silver Zenith Award for best feature debut at the Montreal World Film Festival and the Marc’Aurelio Alice Nella Città 13+ Award at the Rome International Film Festival. The film is Bavo Defurne’s first feature, following shorts such as Sailor and Camp-fire. The film was produced by Yves Verbraeken for Indeed Films. The film was made with the support of amongst others the Flanders Audiovisual Fund.