An Awards Wiz Gratitude List

Happy Thanksgiving.

I have about 15 minutes to post a little something before heading out to meet my family for our gigantic Thanksgiving family feast in the Delta of Mississippi.  I did manage to watch a few films yesterday, "A Moment in the Reeds" and "Boy Erased" while also rewatching some of my favorite moments from "Schitt's Creek" (obsession, much?) before bed. Instead of delving into all that, I thought I would, in the spirit of the day, let you know what I am thankful for.

Movies
I would need more than 15 minutes to fully talk about what cinema has done for me over the years, and honestly, my summer series on my favorite films of all time was a 4 month thesis on the subject.
I've said it before, and I will say it again. Movies are a lifeline for me. When I don't want to look at the world we live in, they are there. When I need to see the world I live in more clearly, they are there. They take me on a ride of fantasy and truth. They are something to watch, to program and to make. I am so grateful for this medium. Without it (and the Oscars) you wouldn't be reading these words, that's for sure.

Readers, editors and encouragers
I'm so happy that I have readers. I've stopped spending so much time looking at my website stats and the ever moving, up and down, number of Twitter followers...anything that takes me out of the love of examining film and the Oscars and puts me and my relevance front and center. One way I have done that is to focus on the readers I have. The people who encourage me and the editors who publish my work. Amy, Marty, Melanie, Jazz, Justin, Elliot, Joey, Ryan and Sasha. I'm so happy you read what I say, engage with me...and support me.

GALECA 
It was such an incredible honor to be asked to join Galeca, the Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics as an Advisory Board Member this year. Over the years I have shied away from my queerness when it comes to my writing, even as I have opened up my personal histories in almost every other way. Last year's "Call Me By Your Name" and the Galeca invitation, burst that public door wide open for me. It is important that we have LGBTQ people writing about film and television...especially writing about LGBTQ content. This critics group matters, and I'm so happy to be a member. And grateful for the screeners which have made the last few weeks terrifying and exhilarating.

OXFF
I'm so happy to have programmed the LGBTQ section of the Oxford Film Festival for the 3rd year in a row. With the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences grant I have been able to program 5 features and 2 shorts blocks. I love each and every one of these films beyond belief and can't wait to show them to you.

Friends/Family
I have had many friends over the years. Ones that have been with me for a reason, a season, and (so far) a lifetime. This time of year often makes me nostalgic of the ones I have lost...whether I gave them up, moved away from them or something else altogether. I love the few great friends I have today. Thank you for sticking and staying.

Finally....I couldn't leave out my supportive family. As I have 2 minutes left to write, I feel like there aren't really enough words to say how much I love them. The best way to show it might be to show up to their house on time. So, we will leave it at that.