Frameline49: (Return to) Valencia

Twenty-five years ago, Michelle Tea’s Valencia hit shelves. Over a decade later, the Sister Spit poet-turned-memoirist’s time-capsule of ‘90s San Francisco queer subculture was adapted into a radical, community-made film. Valencia is helmed by Tea and twenty lesbian, queer, and trans directors, from Cheryl Dunye (The Watermelon Woman, Frameline20) to Joey Soloway (Transparent) to Silas Howard (By Hook or By Crook, Frameline25).

To celebrate the book’s anniversary, Frameline is screening Valencia for the first time since the movie premiered to two sold-out shows at the Castro Theatre during Frameline37 in 2013. Just twelve years into its legacy, the collaborative, experimental film is a reminder of the power and singularity of all of our queer stories. A gritty, beautiful collage of styles, tones, and Michelles, Valencia is like a cinematic zine — one that was penned, printed, and stapled by the now-titans of queer film.

And for those looking to “run through the streets in excellent danger,” you can join Michelle Tea on a Mission walking-tour-meets-reading of Valencia.

Filmmakers
Aubree Bernier-Clarke, Lares Feliciano, Clement Goldberg, Sara St Martin Lynne and Michelle Lawler, Dia Felix, Silas Howard, Alexa Inkeles, Jerry Lee, Peter Anthony, Sharon Barnes, Cary Cronenwett, Courtney Trouble, Cheryl Dunye, Bug Davidson, Samuael Topiary, Olivia Parriott, Chris Vargas and Greg Youmans, & Joey Soloway

Expected Guests

Michelle Tea
Author/Producer

Clement Goldberg
Producer

This film is a recipient of a Frameline Completion Fund grant.