Award-winning film series “The Devotion Project” launched in the UK
The Devotion Project is a series of award-winning short documentary films bringing together six lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) couples to explore their experience of love, commitment and family.
Launching this spring in the UK – after a successful string of free screenings in partnership with LGBT History Month and a stack of awards from US film festivals – these short films are available to view for free online.
The Devotion Project is the brainchild of New York filmmaker
Antony Osso, who is part of a new generation of filmmakers. His DIY approach, which included locating and casting the couples, fundraising, producing, directing and creating a social media campaign along with a successful Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, is becoming the “new normal” among filmmakers intent on getting their work made and seen.
As Antony Osso says: “Making these films has been a complete joy for me. The reasons I made the films are many, but fundamentally, I made them to counterbalance so many of the representations of LGBT people in the media as struggling, conflicted, second-class citizens. We’re so much more than that.”
“With these films, I hope that we can broaden the landscape for LGBTQ teens, so that they can see the potential for fulfilling adult lives and relationships. The goal has always been for the films to be online, free of charge, for everyone to have access to them.”
Osso’s ongoing goals for The Devotion Project in the UK and US include outreach to educational projects, LGBTQ youth groups, further festival screenings, and the potential for broadcast.
Projects and individuals can also set up screening events with support from a new UK-wide Ambassador, Neil Young, who has over 15 years experience working for the LGBT community in London.
As Osso says: “Seeing people react to the films at screenings has only made me determined to distribute the films as widely as possible. They make a difference.”
Sue Sanders (Founder, LGBT History Month):
“Given the shocking lack of images of LGBTQ family life in mainstream media, The Devotion Project films are a breath of fresh air because they show queer people loving and thriving. Watch these brilliant short films, screen them and share them with your favourite people – I cannot recommend them highly enough” [for background on LGBT History Month please check out lgbthistorymonth.org.uk
Theresa Heath (Programmer, Wotever Queer Film Festival):
“Our LGBT History Month screening was brilliant – people loved and were inspired by the films, connecting with the touching, joyful stories. We had lots of laughing and crying!
The Devotion Project films should be shown on primetime TV because they are love stories that anyone and everyone can relate to.”
The Devotion Project Couples
[for more details about Wotever World and Bar Wotever please check out woteverworld.com/bar-wotever/]