“Make the Yuletide Gay” will get one-week November theatrical release then come out on DVD

The sweet comedy Make the Yuletide Gay is going to have a one-week theatrical engagement in West Hollywood beginning Nov. 2.

The film will screen at the Laemmle Sunset 5. After the one week on the big screen, it comes out on DVD! TLA and Guest House Films also making it available to view online through iTunes, Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand and TLAonDemand.com beginning Nov. 10.

Rob Williams wrote and directed the movie about a college senior (Kieth Jordan) who is an out activist on campus with a serious boyfriend (Adamo Ruggiero) but still in the closet to his parents. When he goes home for the holidays and his boyfriend – not aware that he’s not out – shows up to surprise him, things get complicated – and very funny.

Here is the trailer:

I saw the film at Outfest this summer and enjoyed it. The cast is terrific with Jordan and Ruggiero adorable together and Derek Long (Three-Day Weekend, Socket) is very funny as the pothead dad Sven Gunnunderson. There is also the very welcome presence of Alison Arngrim of Little House on the Prairie fame (Nellie Oleson!) as a bitchy neighbor and the lovely Hallee Hirsch as her daughter who is far more than she initially seems.

But the real glue that holds the movie together and really gives it spirit and life is the performance of Kelly Keaton as the the Midwestern mother Anya Gunnunderson. She is just a hoot and was my favorite character and performance in the movie. When she gets emotional – as if she had just received a diamond ring –  on Christmas morning because her hubby has given her a cheese hat, I knew I’d love this woman forever.

The film has played to sold-out screenings at multiple festivals around the world and has won Audience Awards for Best Feature at the 2009 Seoul LGBT Film Festival and FilmOut San Diego 2009. Special events to celebrate the DVD release are taking place through November including a “Stuff My Stocking” party at the 2009 Reeling Film
Festival: Chicago and a special launch party at 2009 Long Island Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, along with autograph signings at Borders Hollywood, Obelisk Bookstore in San Diego and the TLA Video store on
South Street in Philadelphia.

Advance tickets sales will be available soon at Laemmle Sunset 5’s official website: http://www.laemmle.com/viewtheatre.php?thid=2