Oxford Film Fest musings; What's next with the Oscars

It's hard to believe, but just like that, the Oxford Film Festival is over. And in two weeks, the Oscars will be over as well.

This year's LGBTQ films at Oxford Film Festival were so incredibly special to me. I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone who came out to support Queer films, the films/filmmakers and me. I want to thank the filmmakers, actors, investors...everyone who played a part in making each of those films happen.

Obviously thanks to Melanie for continuing to trust me to program...and to Kayleigh for being a complete bad ass. And Maitland McDonagh for agreeing to jury the LGBTQ films. That was pretty bad ass. And my two Amys...I don't know what I would do without both of you. Women have played such a huge role in my life...the two of you honestly kept me afloat this weekend.

There were a few instances where my ego was taken down this festival, but those moments set the stage for true gratitude for the work that I did.

In the next few weeks look for reviews of "Giant Little Ones," "At the End of the Day," and "All We Are" as well as a profile on my friend Will Stewart - Angeleno/Mississippi native and director of "All We Are."

To John, Cheryl, Kevin, Stephen, Chelsea, Morgan, Malcolm, Lynn, Shawn, Will, Courtney, Jessica, Mark, Betsy, Russell, Oriana, Jane, Michael, Matt, Jack, Jo Ann, Lagueria, Daniel, Jaanelle, Drew, Michelle, Sam...

Thank you for coming to our festival and for making the LGBTQ q&as a complete delight. I feel an incredible bond with you in a way that is hard to explain unless you have every participated in programming for a festival. I know your work intimately and was able to connect with some of you in a personal way that I've never experienced at any other fest than Oxford.

The Oxford film community may feel the loss of our out of town brothers and sisters, but we should be recharged and ready to create. I know I am.

But first...The Oscars....

For any new readers I may have gotten post Film Fest...let me give you a little backstory. For almost 10 years I have written about the Oscars, here and at Awards Daily.

At AD I generally write one major essay per season, depending on what moves me. Last year it was "Love and Heartbreak" inspired by "Call Me By Your Name." A few years ago it was Best Actress...and (almost) every year that I can remember I have written about Documentary Feature and Foreign Language Film. I interview the actors, directors...it's often fun, always daunting.

When I couldn't land interviews with the team behind "Beautiful Boy" I shelved my planned piece on Addiction in Film for AD. A lack of response from emails to my editor at Awards Daily made me think twice about my FF and Doc pieces. I'm incredibly grateful for AD...when I publish there I get so much traction here. But this year, we just aren't feeling it, I guess.

Heading into the last two weeks of Oscar, I still have a few films to see.

New readers: I watch everything that is nominated. That isn't changing.

The remaining nominated films are:

At Eternity's Gate
Mirai
Never Look Away
Capernaum
Christopher Robin
Of Fathers and Sons
Shorts

Totally doable.

Now, some big news.

Traditionalists, hold on to your hats, "27 Days of Oscar" (where I write about every category and give my faves and predictions) is officially dead. This season, at least.

Instead I'm going to look at the things I really want to write about. First of all, the addiction piece is back. 

Who cares if it won't help Timothee considering he didn't get nominated? That's not the right motive behind my writing at Awards Wiz. I don't get ad dollars, so no...I do this for me and the readers.

I also want to take a look at the LGBTQ films that made their way to Oscar...and what representation actually means for Queer actors. I've been so hesitant to write my thoughts on the subject...mostly because of the toxicity of Film Twitter and the heat packed into 280 words or less when anyone brings it up...but having taken a much needed break from the platform I'm not as insecure about my own, credible, experienced opinion and what others might have to say about it.

I am still going to look at the Docs and Foreign Films...but you will see that here.

And for the first time in a long time I'm going to take a crack at the Shorts.

Yes, I will write about the Acting categories, Directing and Picture, and I will give you predictions.

And that...will be that.