Byron Bay Film Festival Celebrates Marriage Equality with its Opening Night Gala Event

It’s out and we’re proud to announce that the documentary The Freedom to Marry has been selected as the Opening Night film at BBFF 2017. The ultra-topical documentary traces the battle for equality by North America’s LGBTQI community, from the early days of Stonewall through to the Supreme Court decision just two years ago. As Australians are faced with voting on same sex marriage, BBFF2017’s opening night film is an unambiguous statement of intent: It’s time: the country is ready. Vote for equality and freedom. That is the message carried by the film’s passionate advocates for the right for all people to marry their partner of choice. Evan Wolfson was pre-eminent; a man who identified as gay in his 20s and who immediately committed himself to the cause. He is the godfather of equality and brilliant lawyer Mary L Bonauto is the godmother. With the support of millions of people across the nation, they persuaded a divided Supreme Court to make it legal for them to wed. The documentary’s strength lies not merely in the political – moral – struggle it reports on, but the human dimension to it. With Evan and Mary it becomes something of a character study. With a loving lesbian couple who have sustained a thriving family of cast-off kids for years, it’s their struggle to complete their family with the security of a legal bond. It’s a film about our common humanity – and about how change comes through conversation. Suffering setbacks in the courts, and in the face of vast and powerful religious opposition (“God hates fags”), the lobbyists see the need for national unity and a highly professional campaign. And can they focus! A scene where Bonauto listens back to the tape of a grilling she received from Supreme Court judges is revealing about how much thought goes into the “Yes” case.  Through sheer reason, and reasonableness, they win the day, and it is an emotional moment when they watch President Obama announcing the legal change, saying “justice has arrived like a thunderbolt”. Not only is Freedom a fine, stirring documentary film, deserving of the festival’s full red carpet treatment, it is also BBFF’s shout out to signal its support for freedom and equal rights for all. The Freedom to Marry ends with a celebration … and so does Opening Night at BBFF, with catering by Byron Bay’s sublime Trattoria Basiloco and with fine wines and other beverages.Tickets are on sale now for the Opening Night Gala Party (and film) on Friday 6 October via bbff.com.au Download our PDF for more information[gview file="https://www.bbff.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Media-Release-Byron-Bay-Film-festival-announces-Opening-Night-Film-Freedom-to-Marry.pdf"]