On Wednesday, June 19 Frameline and Another Planet EntertainmentCelebrate Juneteenth

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Wednesday, June 19 Frameline and Another Planet Entertainment
Celebrate Juneteenth with Kickoff to Castro Theatre
Neon Blade Re-Lighting and Block Party Marking
Opening of 48^th San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival (Frameline48)

12 June 2024 San Francisco, CA: Curtain up and light the lights – and let them be neon in rainbow hues. Hosted by the arts nonprofit Frameline, (www.frameline.org) the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival (Frameline48) kicks off its 48th edition with a first-of-its-kind outdoor special event and film screening in front of its “Forever Home,” San Francisco’s Castro Theatre (429 Castro Street at Market). On Wednesday, June 19 beginning at 7pm, Frameline48’s Juneteenth Opening Night Film and Block Party will coincide with the official re-lighting of the Castro Theatre’s iconic neon blade sign and marquee, as part of Another Planet Entertainment’s restoration and renovation efforts (www.castrotheatre.com / www.apeconcerts.com). The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Headlined by D’Arcy Drollinger of Oasis Arts, San Francisco’s Drag Laureate, the evening will be filled with live performances, music, and film. Frameline48’s first-ever Juneteenth Block Party will feature dynamic drag performances from Reparations, including Drag Queen of the Year Pageant winner Nicki Jizz, Afrika America, and Mudd the Two Spirit; live music by the San Francisco Pride Band and DJ Die Wies; and a special screening of Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero shown on big screens outside the Castro Theatre. Following the live pre-show, the film screening will begin at 8:20pm

“Frameline48’s Juneteenth Opening Night Film and Block Party, and the film festival as a whole, is intended to be a celebration of all our intersecting identities — and the unique ways of being queer in the world.  Kicking-off the festival by honoring Blackness and queerness on Juneteenth reinforces Frameline’s mission of putting the LGBTQ+ community’s essential stories front and center,” said Allegra Madsen, Executive Director of Frameline. “The Castro Theatre is the long-time home of the festival, so we are thrilled by Another Planet Entertainment’s choice to bring the official relighting of the Castro Theatre’s neon blade sign to Frameline48’s Juneteenth celebration.”

“The Castro Theatre is Frameline’s ‘Forever Home,’ and we are proud to partner with Frameline in this significant celebration,” said Gregg Perloff, CEO of Another Planet Entertainment. “The Castro Theatre is a beacon of cultural and historical importance, and we are dedicated to its preservation and enhancement. The re-lighting of the neon blade sign is a testament to our collective efforts to honor and revitalize this iconic landmark, literally a symbol of welcome to the LGBTQ+ community recognized internationally.  We look forward to the completion of the Castro Theatre restoration, renovation and revitalization and once again featuring Frameline offerings inside on the big screen.”

Juneteenth Block Party Event Sponsors:
Gilead, Bank of America, Waymo, Comcast, BMO, Genentech, Hilton Hotels of San Francisco Union Square, Pact.Studio, and Another Planet Entertainment.

Juneteenth Block Party Community Partners:
Black Film Connect, Castro Community Benefit District, Castro Country Club, Castro Merchants Association, Jonathan Carver Moore, Museum of the African Diaspora, NCLR, The Office of Mayor London N. Breed, Reparations, SF AIDS Foundation, SF LGBT Community Center, and Youth Speaks.

About Frameline:
Frameline’s mission is to change the world through the power of queer cinema. As the world’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival, Frameline connects filmmakers and audiences in the celebration of diverse queer stories. Founded in 1977, Frameline is dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ media arts and promoting visibility and understanding through film.

About Castro Theatre:
The Castro Theatre, a San Francisco historical landmark, has been a cornerstone of the city’s cultural landscape since its opening in 1922. Known for its Spanish Colonial Baroque architecture and grand interiors, the theatre has long been a venue for film screenings, festivals, and performances, and a sacred space for the LGBTQ+ community recognized around the world.

About Another Planet Entertainment:
Another Planet Entertainment is an independent, San Francisco-based promoter of concerts, festivals, and events. Dedicated to preserving and enhancing the city’s cultural heritage, APE is committed to delivering memorable experiences and supporting the vibrant communities of the Bay Area.

Note to Editors: High-resolution images and interviews with event organizers and sponsors are available upon request.