QVNYC x LGBTQ Policy Center Present: Move Ya Body Pride Film Screening

Queer Voices NYC Film Festival and the LGBTQ Policy Center are proud to present Move Ya Body: The Birth of House!

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating Pride Month with a special screening of Move Ya Body, directed by Elegance Bratton. This powerful film honors the joy, culture, and groundbreaking contributions of Black and Brown queer musicians, who helped shape house music and ignite a global movement that continues to inspire generations around the world.

ABOUT THE FILM

In the chaos of Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park, a teenage usher named Vince Lawrence witnessed the fiery backlash against disco—a sound that defined freedom and pride. Undeterred by the hostility, Vince used his earnings to buy a synthesizer, setting in motion a journey that would change music forever. Venturing into the underground sanctuary of The Warehouse, where Frankie Knuckles spun revolutionary sounds, Vince teamed up with Jesse Saunders to form Z Factor, a scrappy collective of visionaries who captured the pulse of Chicago’s underground on wax. Their track, On and On, became the first recorded house music anthem, sparking a movement that transformed a local DIY culture into a global phenomenon. From those gritty Chicago streets to festival stages worldwide, Vince’s story is an electrifying testament to how a dream, born in the ashes of rejection, ignited a genre that continues to unite and liberate people across the globe.

Crew: Elegance Bratton, Chester Algernal Gordon, Roger Ross Williams
Producers: Elegance Bratton, Chester Algernal Gordon

THE PROGRAM SCHEDULE

5:30 PM – Doors Open & Opening Reception
Enjoy a festive kickoff with complimentary light bites and beverages.

6:00 PM – Film Screening
Exclusive screening of Mova Ya Body: The Birth of House Music.

7:30 PM – Talkback
An intimate conversation with director Elegance Bratton and producer Chester Algernal Gordon

This is a night you won’t want to miss. FREE Tickets are limited, so grab yours today!

We can't wait to celebrate with you!

About the Director/Producer: Elegance Bratton is an award-winning and boundary-breaking director, writer and producer. He began making films as a US Marine after spending a decade homeless. His work captures stories untold with an intention to show the universal power of our shared humanity. Bratton’s films have played in over 200 film festivals worldwide including the New York Film Festival, Toronto, Sundance, Outfest, BFI, Doc NYC, and the BlackStar Film Festival. He was recently named one of VARIETY’s 10 Directors to Watch for 2023.

About the Producer: Chester Algernal Gordon is a producer, costume designer and stylist with a passion for making powerful stories that capture the imagination and inspire. They began working in film production in 2016, and since then Gordon has costumed three Lionsgate feature films, 17 short films, and has produced award-winning films that have played in festivals worldwide including the New York Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, BFI, Outfest, Reykjavik International Film Festival and New Orleans Film Festival. Gordon's latest film, THE INSPECTION, has garnered numerous award nominations including from the Golden Globes, Gothams, and Film Independent Spirit Awards.

QVNYC is a cultural arts institution dedicated to centering and celebrating BIPOC LGBTQIA+ filmmakers from around the world. Our mission is to empower LGBTQIA+ filmmakers of color by providing a platform to showcase their talent and shape their own stories. Through the Queer Voices NYC Film Festival, as well as various screenings and workshops, we offer professional development opportunities that help emerging and established artists thrive in the entertainment industry. Learn more here or follow us on social media @queervoicesnyc

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