message From our Executive Director

Greetings from the Executive Director.

Friends,

This event and the people I have met over the past two years has grown me as a person in ways I never expected.  We are a family.  A family committed to our community in every way.  This festival, at age 19 is a shining tribute to that community.  To the pioneers who crafted and launched the first festival, through the current staff and board who have taken the brave step to place our event on a national stage, I am proud to be a member of this tremendous group of people.   It is with pride that I welcome you to Clip 19, the 19th annual Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival!

I wish to thank our sponsors and advertisers for their very generous support of this year's festival.  I encourage you to patronize each and every business associated with this event.  They truly support our community and are most worthy of your support in return.

The festival cannot survive without the financial and community support from our Members and Donors.  THANK YOU!  Thank you to our Board of Directors for your support and guidance.  I also want to thank our Festival Manager, Renee Cossette, Program Director, Stephen Mintz and our Board Volunteer Coordinator, Bill Kanouff.   Our amazing Volunteers also deserve a hearty thank you.  You are the heartbeat of this event and we could not do it without you.  And of course I want to thank my wonderful husband, Tom for putting up with my year-round craziness.

"The Journey IS the Reward", and I thank you Tampa Bay for a 19 year  GLBT Cinematic Journey.  Our journey continues after the event closes.... Clip 20 will be the best one yet!

Clip 19 (the 19th annual Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival)
October 2-12, 2008
Tampa Theatre, Tampa FL & Muvico Baywalk Theatre, St Petersburg, FL

I am available to you anytime.

All the best,

Chuck Henson

Chuck Henson
Executive Director
Friends Of The Festival, Inc.