There’s one story that won’t be told, at least not on screen, at this year’s FilmOut San Diego cinematic festival – that’s the story that unfolds behind the scenes.

Yet what happens before the curtain at the Ken Cinema rises is just as compelling as the more than 40 world premiere films making their cinematic debut there from Thursday, April 19 through Sunday, April 22. Because before the celluloid ever reaches the silver screen, FilmOut’s approximately 50 volunteers raise $60,000 to fund the event. And organizers spend roughly 200 hours viewing more than 150 entries to decide which to present to the more than 30 filmmakers, producers, directors and talent, and the 8,000 film lovers expected to attend the four-day day affair.

FilmOut’s executive director, Krista Page, and programmer, Michael McQuiggan, talked to the Gay & Lesbian Times about how the annual FilmOut festival comes into being each year.

The Gay & Lesbian Times: How much money does it take to put on the festival each year and who are some of your local sponsors?

Krista Page: We need just under $60,000. This year we received a generous grant from the California Institute of Contemporary Arts, Puppy Productions, Park Manor Suites, fuelhaus, Orbitz, Interactive Male and the Gay & Lesbian Times. SD Pix is our largest sponsor this year. We are also grateful to Obelisk Bookstore, New Century Title, Charter Funding, AVIS, Ron Oster Real Estate and here! TV.

GLT: How many people/films came/showed in FilmOut’s first year and how many come/are shown now?

KP: When I first started with the organization, we presented 11 programs over the four-days and had only three filmmakers (writers/directors/producers-/actors/editors/composers) present. This year we present 18 programs and look forward to welcoming 40 filmmakers. We smile at that growth!

GLT: Have any of the films gone on to be produced by major production houses?

KP: Not any of our programs in the past few years have been “produced” by any major studios; however, a number of the films that we have given a San Diego premiere to have been distributed by Wolfe, tla and here!

GLT: What is FilmOut’s greatest challenge?

KP: Raising money. This year I think was particularly difficult; because for everyone, in whatever business they’ve been in, the last year has not been the most delightful year. Budgets were cut big time this year at a lot of companies, so we relied much heavier on local sponsors this year. But just because they’re local doesn’t mean that they [didn’t also have] budget cuts, etc. I would have to say that was the most difficult and hardest hustle for putting on the event.

GLT: How many years have you been in operation?

KP: That’s complicated. We have been organizing a local festival, FilmOut San Diego, for the past three years, since 2005. In 2004, we worked to reorganize as a local non-profit after having been under the umbrella of a Los Angeles organization for three years, 2000-2003. At that time we “took over” the license from Joe Ferrelli, who actually had founded FilmOut in the late 1990s. 2007 is the ninth year a full festival has had a presence in San Diego, and my seventh year as part of the organization that produces the festival… Whew!

GLT: Besides presenting the films, what are some of FilmOut’s goals?

KP: In 2004, when we reorganized, we were committed to presenting a full festival of diverse films and bringing more visibility to short films, while partnering with other local film festivals and organizations to broaden the exposure to queer cinema that may not otherwise be seen by local audiences.

Michael McQuiggan: [Also], aside from being entertained, maybe [audiences] could be educated a little bit as far as GLBT issues. And, we do have a handful of movies that are accessible to everybody that mainstream audiences can enjoy as well.

GLT: What criteria must a GLBT film fall under to be considered a contender to be shown at Film Out?

MM: I look for movies that more than likely will not get a theatrical premiere in San Diego. I also look for films that may or may not be already available on DVD, and for whatever reason, they couldn’t get a theatrical booking here in San Diego.

GLT: Aside from whether or not a film is likely to get a booking, what makes you gravitate toward certain films?

MM: Usually if it’s original, if it’s offbeat, if it’s something that we haven’t seen before, then I strongly consider those. Because more than likely, out of the 41 movies that we’re going to show, I’d say that maybe three to five will get distribution.

FilmOut will present both short films and full-length features. Films include: the Sundance award winner Airplanes, which tells the love story of two teenage girls from the moment they first see each other to their eventual break-up; Boy Culture and Long-Term Relationship, two films that explore the new face of gay male relationships; What’s Up Scarlet and Loving Annabelle, which chart the landscape of women exploring their sexual orientation; the incredible yet true romance Bob and Jack’s 52-Year Adventure; exploratory tales from foreign lands such as Gypo, Keillers Park and El Calentito; and even a horror flick, Creatures from the Pink Lagoon.