FESTIVAL CURATORS

2021 to present

Jennifer joined the Gilbert Baker Film Festival team after attending the Festival in Fall of 2020 (GBFF). As a Queer human, Jennifer has been a long time audience member and supporter of film festivals and the Queer/LGBTQ+ Community. As an attendee of Gilbert Baker Film Festival 2020, Jennifer stood out- she asked engaging questions, connected with film makers and other attendees- so much so, that Jennifer was recruited as a volunteer to the skeletal Team of GBFF volunteers by Festival Director, Chele Landers.

Per Chele, “Jennifer Trujillo has a great creative mind. She has a good head on her shoulders and is an excellent marketer and networker. She understands the mission of the Gilbert Baker Film Festival and our passionate desire to continue Gilbert’s legacy. Jennifer knows the importance of reaching humans in rural communities and areas. She is an amazing motivator.” Chele reached out to Jennifer, Jennifer answered the call and understood the assignment. In short, Jennifer was made a Co-Director for the 2021 Gilbert Baker Film Festival, by Chele.

Jennifer has a background in Networking, Sales, Marketing, Customer Satisfaction, Team Leadership, Team Management, Field Biology, Medical and Scientific Research, Healthcare, and Advocacy from almost every level. Jennifer enjoys Bicycling, Knitting, Crocheting, Spending Time in Nature, Writing, Reading, Podcasts, and Ingesting, Analysing and Discussing Film and all kinds of Media- with a strong passion for the Queer/LGBTQ+! Jennifer believes in being the change we wish to see in the world and understands how much representation matters and even more so, how much positive representation and positive, connected community matters. To that end, Jennifer has dedicated herself to growing Gilbert Baker Film Festival along with Chele, and in her own words, Jennifer says:

“We are so proud and pleased to announce that Gilbert Baker Film Festival has teamed up with Lesflicks for our 2021 Festival. This 2021 Gilbert Baker Film Festival would not be possible without the understanding, support, hard work, and dedication of the entire Lesflicks Team. The future of the Gilbert Baker Film Festival was uncertain and the GBFF Team asked Lesflicks for help. Lesflicks stepped up to host and sponsor GBFF 2021, they offered a hand and a Life ring! They really understand the assignment! Lesflicks and their entire Team has been so dedicated and instrumental in pulling off the 2021 Gilbert Baker film Festival, offering almost all of their resources and team members to the cause. And also, bringing Ping Liu, as our third Co-Director and Curator for Gilbert Baker Film Festival 2021. Gilbert Baker Film Festival and Lesflicks joined forces and through our common values and by collaborating together we amplify our voices and honor our mission to continue to deliver on Gilbert’s vision and legacy to Unite and Educate the Queer/LGBTQIA+ Community with Films. With a Flag, Team work, Connecting our Global Human Community, and Films!

Gilbert Baker’s view of our humanity is represented through each color of the flag. His interpretation has been celebrated and recognized as ‘elements of all of us’. In his own words; ‘…it needed to have depth and so I like the idea that each color would represent a kind of element of art… Whether it was pink for sex or red for life … and all the way down the spectrum…’

Sexuality, Life, Healing, Sunlight, Nature, Magic, Art, Harmony and Human Spirit – these are the elements of our Rainbow Pride Flag, of our world, and of us.

Together we are Brighter: The Rainbow Collective Community offering a Global Beacon of Hope, Human love, Diversity, Acceptance, Human Rights and Unity. Together We are Stronger.”

2021 Curation

Chele Landers

Chele got involved with the festival in fall of 2018 as a volunteer. She lives in and grew up in rural America. She volunteers when health permits. She helped grow the festival to what it is today. She has a passion for films and believes strongly that proper LGBTQIA+ Representation Matters, especially in film and TV. She wants Gilbert Baker’s legacy to continue. The rainbow flag and Gilbert’s activism led to so many positive things happening for the LGBTQIA+ community. Gilbert gave the rainbow flag to the world. He encouraged other flags representing the various sects of the community to be made. His death was a great loss to the community. The reason she volunteers any of her time when her health permits is because she feels it is important for people to remember Gilbert’s contribution to the LGBTQIA+ community, especially the younger generations, and to honor that contribution. She also feels it is important to reach rural areas with the Gilbert Baker Film Festival and show those living there that they are not alone.

“Chele Landers took over the Gilbert Baker Film Festival and brought it up to where it is today. She broadened the reach of the contest by sending it out to social media. She supervised two successful film festivals with minimal help. She brought new life to the Festival and kept it alive.”
~Scotty Zollars