About The CGACFF
The Cherry Grove Archives Collection Film Festival was established in 2015 as a cinematic celebration of Cherry Grove's proud 170-year history and that of other LGBTQ communities all around the world.
While this summer weekend event is a vital fundraiser for the Archives' operating and digitizing costs, our goal is to bring people together to both educate and celebrate our culture with a bounty of fabulous films.
Our beautiful beach community has supported and nurtured LGBTQ artists, performers and musicians since it began, which is why we are dedicated to presenting films that bring gay history to life. It's vital that we don't forget our past, and by taking a look back at where we've come from, we may have a better vision of the future.
The festival began as a way of sharing the archival films, current documentaries and experimental works that reflect Cherry Grove (Fire Island) from our extraordinary past to our colorful present. The CGACFF also showcases projects that speak to our unique environment and outrageous community, from film makers everywhere.
The Cherry Grove Archives Committee (CGAC) has diligently been preserving everything from 8 millimeter films to family albums- all donated by members of the community who have graciously decided to share their lives and experiences.
Each CGACFF (hosted every two years) is a curated collection of documentaries, short films and restored masterpieces that speak to the LGBTQ experience of our beach community and others abroad.
Through our festival we seek to showcase works from queer communities around the globe. We hope to present everything from films about beach life to political activism, films that express individuality and the pursuit of equality.
We are proud to have screened films such as- "I Always Said Yes: The Many Lives of Wakefield Poole", "Camille", "The Panzi Invasion", "After Louie", "Woman on Fire", "Grove Girls", "Happy Birthday Marsha", "Reel in the Closet" and many more.
The Cherry Grove Archives Collection is a committee of the Arts Project of Cherry Grove. Troy Files is the acting Chairperson.
CGACFF 2018
Our Committee worked hard to select films that included voices from our community and abroad. It was our goal to share LGBTQ stories of struggle and triumph through pieces that reflect our history and help us reimagine our future.
The Archive Committee kicked off the CGACFF on Friday, July 20th, 2018 at the Cherry Grove Community House and Theater. On the premiere evening our hostess Parker Sargent presented her film "Grove Girls" which was an enlightening tribute to the history of gay women in the Grove. Director Sasha Wortzel gave us an artistic glimpse into the life of transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson, hours before she ignited the Stonewall Riots in 1969 New York City, with the film "Happy Birthday Marsha".
Sargent later shared the stage with famed Fire Island photographer Tom Bianchi and Daniel Nardico for a discussion about documenting gay sexually, before the screening of his campy film "Nardico's Great Gay American Roadtrip". Renounded artist (and Grove resident) Uzi Parnes' film "Queer Love Poem" was also part of the Subjects of Sexuality late night screening.
"Reel in the Closet", which was featured in the Saturday matinee screening, gave us a look at LGBTQ culture from the celluloid eyes of pre-stonewall gay America, while "I Don't Like Her" is a modern day story about to the struggle of a gay woman living in a strict muslim culture. The humorous and endearing "11 Life Lessons From an Awesome Old Dyke" was a tribute to Dorothy Fairbairn, a tough-as-nails butch who kicked ass and took names in the 1950's.
On Saturday evening the Cherry Grove Archives Committee welcomed performer Alan Cumming for a Q & A following the screening of his film "After Louie". This critically acclaimed drama follows Sam (Cumming), an artist and activist from ACT UP who lived through the early years of HIV/AIDS- a man scarred and still struggling with survivor's guilt.
Parker Sargent also premiered her short film "SNAP", a high energy romp around Cherry Grove in the summer of 2017, following Emilio "Ginger Snap" Deluca's journey as Homecoming Queen.
Brooke Guinan was our special guest for the CGACFF finale on Sunday, with the screening of the powerful documentary about her life as the first openly transgender firefighter in New York City. Brooke was also on-hand to discuss the film and answer questions from the audience, as well as meet the Cherry Grove Fire Department for a photo on the historic theater stage.
Throughout the weekend the CGAC also presented a selection of short films about the wonderful history of the Grove, including pieces about the Archives Committee's ongoing work of preservation, the 70th Anniversary of the Arts Project, highlights from past APCG shows, footage of Cherry Grove in the winter from the 1950's and today, as well as information about the founding families and unique houses of the Grove since it began.
The 2018 CGACFF was a true celebration of LGBTQ history and the many lives of Cherry Grove.