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The ENTRE film center and archive will be screening experimental films by LGBTQIA+ artists throughout June. Each week, a new screening event will be hosted at a different venue in McAllen and Brownsville. Themes of non-traditional storytelling and centering queer voices will unite the separate screenings, but the ENTRE founders, Andres Sanchez and C. Díaz, would also like to show audiences how these artists come from diverse experiences and non-monolithic backgrounds.

The first screening is tomorrow at 7pm at the Juntos Vintage Co-op on Main Street in McAllen (map below). It will feature several short films from international artists, curated by Díaz. “We have filmmakers from around the world. From California, Taiwan, to Colombia,” says Díaz, who will also show their own film about their experience growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, incorporating film, abstract animation, and archived material. The event is called “Into The Blue,” named after a chapter from the color-themed book Chroma by the late gay filmmaker Derek Jarman (an image of Díaz reading the book at the beach was used for the event flyer).

The second event will be held in McAllen at Bohemian Place on June 10, called “Chasing Leslie: A Celebration Of The Life Of Leslie Cheung.” It is a double feature to commemorate the Hong Kong gay icon of music and cinema, curated by Alexis Bay.

The third event is at The Art Hub in Brownsville on June 18 called “Queercore: How To Punk A Revolution.” It is a documentary about a 1980’s punk movement to empower LGBT people.

The final event will be back in McAllen at COMMONSPACE on June 24. The film “Funeral Parade of Roses” will be screened. It is about the secret queer underground of Tokyo in the 1960’s. As ENTRE describes it, “it is a fundamental viewing as part of the queer cinema canon of the world.”

ENTRE is a community-first organization that is sustained through donations and grants. Since they had to pay for the film rights to screen “Funeral Parade of Roses,” it is the only event they are charging for entry. The other events are free, but viewers will be asked for donations if they enjoyed the films. All donations will go to the grieving families of the Uvalde shooting.

Only community-centered creative spaces were chosen as venues. The shared values between the venues and ENTRE were vital in the decision to work with each other. “We don’t want to take over a space. We want to mesh with the people in that space,” says Díaz. “We chose these venues with intention. They have open arms and bring their own ideas to the table,” says Sanchez.

Celebrating queer life and amplifying queer art is central to these events, but also doing so through solidarity and authenticity. “We want to avoid things like the commercialized rainbow flag,” says Díaz. “ENTRE is committed to doing whatever we can to support our LGBTQIA+ siblings in their evolution as people, as artists, and community. By creating the containers where we can feel safe, seen, and supported, we are prioritizing marginalized voices and celebrating their radical perspectives and existence."

The films are intended for mature audiences. Viewer discretion is advised. Follow ENTRE on Instagram and view the flyer below for more information. The first screening begins at 7pm tomorrow.

Thanks for reading. Be a supporter and follow Raymus Media on Instagram to keep up with Rio Grande Valley music and art. Follow ENTRE on Instagram if you are interested in film and would like to attend film workshops in the future.