Out on Film stars ready for their close ups

By Project Q Atlanta | Sep 30, 2009 | 4:24 PM

What do Broadway baby Daniel Robinson (top photo), gay man’s best gal-pal Rebekah Kochan, and New York drag queen Sweetie have in common? They’re all headed to Atlanta for Out on Film.

That, and they each spoke with Project Q Atlanta about their starring roles in the festival.

The event goes down Oct. 2-8 at Midtown Art Cinema. Two-dozen films are slated, and many screenings include special guests from the films. This year’s festival is dedicated to local gay political activist Allen Thornell, who died suddenly on Aug. 3. Before the Opening Night feature, Thornell’s friend Cindy Abel debuts her short film “Disturb the Universe,” about his life.

Cutie Robinson will also be on hand Opening Night. His role in Friday’s feature, “The Big Gay Musical,” brings him from gigs on Broadway to the big screen. He says the grueling festival tour is worth every moment.

“When I was a kid, one of the reasons I came out was because of gay cinema,” he says. “This comes back full circle for me because I could give back that same experience to the community.”

But unlike Robinson, this isn’t Rebekah Kochan’s (middle photo) first time on the gay film festival ranch. As the only cast member to return for all three “Eating Out” movies, she has done her fair share of hobnobbing with the sexy series’ sizable fan base.

“Eating Out 3: All You Can Eat,” screens Saturday, Oct. 3 at 10 p.m. with Kochan and the film’s director in attendance. The screening is sponsored by Project Q Atlanta.

“My character, Tiffani, is much sluttier than I am,” she demures. “But I’m just as fun to hang out with!”

The same can be said for New York darling Sweetie, who takes a starring turn in the drag documentary “Charmed Life” on Monday. She’s hitting Atlanta early for performances Saturday night at Burkhart’s and at the Out on Film afterparty at Jungle to hang with fans and promote her movie screening.

Sweetie (bottom photo) looks forward to her return to what she perceives as the South’s deference to drag.

“There’s a feeling that you get working down there that you don’t get anywhere else,” she says. “There’s a respect for drag that is so conditioned. In the South, they really honor their queens. In New York, I certainly don’t think we are treated badly, but I just think that there is an extra special respect, reverence, honor for the queens that the South has always done. It just always feels so good.”

Out on Film is ready to make Atlanta feel just as good by dotting the festival landscape with these stars and other special guests, including several with local ties. Keep an eye on us for more quotes, other interviews and previews throughout the weeklong event.

View the entire Out on Film lineup with excerpts about some of the entries. You can also check daily listings for the Oct. 2-8 films on our interactive calendar, or visit the Out on Film website for more information, including video previews.

Robinson photo via Danielrobinsononline.com. Kochan photo by Patricio Rodgers. Sweetie photo by Dylan J.