“Wish Me Away,” film about Chely Wright’s coming out, wins documentary prize at LA Film Festival

DOCUMENTARY PRIZE: Feature-length documentary Wish Me Way is a personal and intimate look at Chely Wright, the first country music star to come out as gay.

Directed by Beverly Kopf and Bobbie Birleffi, Wish Me Away won the award for best documentary feature on closing night of the Los Angeles Film Festival.

The jury noted the film’s “honesty, humor and potential to change minds and even save lives.”

Over a three-year period, award-winning filmmakers Birleffi and Kopf followed Chely’s struggle – some of which was recorded on private video diaries – and her unfolding plan to come out publicly. Using interviews with Chely, her family, key players in Nashville and her management team, the film goes deep into Chely’s back story as an established country music star and then forward in verite scenes as she prepares to step into the media glare to reveal that she is gay. Finally, the film chronicles the aftermath of that decision in Nashville, her hometown and within the LGBT community.

Check out the film’s trailer:

Wish Me Away – IndieGoGo Teaser from TVgals Media on Vimeo.

Here is a LINK to a full list of winners at the LAFF.