Thor Stockman returned to give *another* encore-yet-completely-original and entertaining presentation, "The Return of the Good, The Bad, and the Ridiculous: S/M at the Movies." The TES Novice Group kicked off another round of its annual series of monthly programs with "Introduction to the Scene." And three evenings' worth of films and videos unspooled at the Anthology Film Archives, culminating in a grand finale Wrap Party at Den of Inquity on the last evening of the festival - and a rather bleary-eyed brunch the next day.

The event was again a great draw for old-timers and new-comers alike, with this year's go-round creating a particularly convivial mingling of various communities. Between screenings regular fixtures of the leather-S/M-fetish worlds mixed in the lobby with curious first-timers and general film devotees, and this year saw an increased participation by filmmakers whose works were featured in the festival. Claes Lilja was on hand to present his crowd-pleasing documentary, "Beyond Vanilla," and Phil Leirness, director of "Story of O: Untold Pleasures," fielded a provocative range of questions from a sell-out audience. Also making appearances to support their short-form entries were Denny Daniels, David Ryan, Felice Shays and Sir D, while Mistress Dakota gave the introduction to "Seven Deadly Sins," a work in which she is a most pleasing center of attention.

This year also marked the return of the opening night fundraising gala, held at The LURE. With another boisterous auction as its centerpiece, this year's event raised $1,756, with the proceeds divided equally between the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom and the Tom of Finland Foundation. Many thanks to everyone who attended for their fantastic generosity - and to those who donated items for the auction, including festival filmmakers Claes Lilja and Maria Beatty.

Please also give enthusiastic thanks - and your business! - to the sponsors of the Third Annual New York S/M Film Festival, for their support in making the event such a success: Den of Inquity, H/X Magazine and Indiana Productions, along with Purple Passion, Bijou Productions, Black & Blue Ball, The LURE, Mercy, Toys in Babeland and Winter Couture. Immense gratitude also goes to John Mhiripiri and the rest of the staff at Anthology Film Archives for providing the festival such a comfortable and hospitable home.

Kudos should also go to the TES Board of Directors for their support of the festival. And last, but certainly not least, the festival certainly would not have been possible without the work of a fine cadre of volunteers. Their efforts ran a wide gamut - planning, advising, arranging and publicizing; schlepping and posting; website updating; ticket tearing and ushering; informing and schmoozing.

Thanks and best wishes,

Michael the Artist, Lisa V
Co-Chairs, New York S/M Film Festival

The purpose of the film festival is to entertain, enlighten and provoke discussion both within the existing S/M and Leather communities and among the curious.

The event’s program of films explored various flavors of S/M through a variety of features, documentaries, experimental, and short films, selected to showcase the diversity of S/M sexuality.


Why do we do this?
1) Outreach and education. This is a wonderful way to introduce outsiders to the whats, whys, and hows of the S/M community, to show some that they are not alone in their interests and fantasies, to familiarize others with S/M and the people who do it, and to demonstrate that members of the S/M community, apart from a few kinky interests, are just like everyone else.

2) Entertainment, enlightenment and dialogue. This is a way to entertain, enlighten, and provoke discussion within the existing Leather Community.

3) Self-definition. The pop culture and the media have been using S/M imagery more and more. This is a way to use two forms of media--film and video--to reclaim our identity and reshape our image of ourselves.

The results are in!!!
The 2nd Annual NY S/M Film Festival's Kick-Off Gala and Fundraiser
A final tally shows that the 2nd Annual NY S/M Film Festival's Kick-Off Gala and Fundraiser brought in a very generous $1,166.82, which has been divided in half and presented to the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom and to the Leather Archives & Museum. Many thanks to everyone who attended for their fantastic generosity. And also to our auction donors and volunteers, who gave up the goods, time and, in some instances, the body hair, that made the event possible in the first place!

See what the religious extremist group, the Concerned Women for America, had to say about the 2nd Annual NY S/M Film Festival.