HOLLYWOOD SUITE AND OUTtv ANNOUNCE THE WORLD TELEVISION PREMIERE OF QUEERING THE SCRIPT
– FEATURE DOCUMENTARY EXPLORING THE HISTORY AND FANDOM SURROUNDING QUEER WOMEN ON TELEVISION DEBUTS JANUARY 9, 2020 –
Following a successful run at film festivals internationally, Hollywood Suite proudly presents the World Television Premiere of Queering the Script on Thursday, January 9 at 9:00 pm ET. The film explores the rising power of the fans shaping representation on television, the relationship between fandom and activism, and what lies ahead for visibility and inclusiveness. The film will also air nationally on OUTtv on Friday, January 10th at 9pm ET.
The feature-length documentary examines queer relationships in shows such as Xena: Warrior Princess, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Lost Girl, The 100 and Carmilla. Stars including Ilene Chaiken, Stephanie Beatriz, Lucy Lawless and Angelica Ross join with the voices of numerous kickass fangirls in this fast-paced history of queer women’s representation of contemporary television.
From award-winning producer Stephanie Ouaknine (Carmilla) and seasoned-documentary director Gabrielle Zilkha (Stop Calling Me Honey Bunny), Queering the Script is a Hollywood Suite Original Documentary produced by Shaftesbury Films.
“This is a film about loving earnestly and passionately,” said Queering the Script Producer Stephanie Ouaknine. “Loving fiercely, without shame. In a world that exalts cynicism and snark – there is something fundamentally joyous about the world of queer fandom, and its sheer positivity and sense of community. We could all learn a thing or two from the Xena Camp.”
“We wanted to balance the story of how this fandom came to be with the deeper questions that underlie the birth of this fandom: Why is representation on television important? What is positive representation and how is it achieved?” said Gabrielle Zilkha, Director of Queering the Script.
“Queering the Script reveals the power of an underrepresented audience by sharing insights from experts, everyday fans, Hollywood showrunners, and the TV stars themselves,” said David Kines, President of Hollywood Suite. “We are delighted to bring this dynamic film to Canadian audiences.”
Queering the Script not only charts the evolution of queerness, but also demonstrates the extraordinary impact of activism on its many diverse fans, fighting to see themselves accurately portrayed on screen. In 2016, a record number of queer women characters died on fictional shows, which broke the hearts of queer fans and launched a successful campaign for better, more diverse LGBT2Q+ representation.
Queering the Script is executive produced by Christina Jennings and Scott Garvie, produced by Stephanie Ouaknine and Alex House, written and directed by Gabrielle Zilkha, and produced in association with the Canada Media Fund and Hollywood Suite.
TRAILER LINK: https://vimeo.com/373948841/9f61553719
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ABOUT SHAFTESBURY:
Shaftesbury is an award-winning creator and producer of original content for television, film, and digital. Shaftesbury’s current slate includes 13 seasons of Murdoch Mysteries for CBC and UKTV, three seasons of detective drama Frankie Drake Mysteries for CBC and UKTV, three seasons of critically acclaimed horror series Slasher for Netflix, two seasons of Hudson & Rex for Citytv/Rogers Media, and several new primetime series including Departure for Global/Corus Entertainment and NBC Universal, Dead Still for RTÉ, Acorn TV, and Citytv/Rogers, and The Sounds for CBC, Acorn TV, and Sky NZ. Building on a library of award-winning kids’ programs, Shaftesbury has an extensive slate of new kids and family programming with series centred on inspiring interest in STEAM, including The Solutioneers, Miikshi, Stinky Science, and Emerald Code. Shaftesbury’s branded division produces original entertainment projects for brands, including the global phenomenon Carmilla for U by Kotex/Kimberly-Clark, Turning the Tables for göt2b®/Henkel, and Futurithmic for Nokia. Shaftesbury’s technology division works with leading healthcare institutions and researchers to explore and develop clinical applications for immersive media experiences including augmented and virtual reality, including a recent focus on children’s therapeutic support tools. www.shaftesbury.ca
CONTACT
For interviews with Gabrielle Zilkha or screeners and for all media inquiries, please contact:
Julia Caslin
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