CROSSROADS :: Since I was a kid I can remember thinking that I was different than everybody else. Regardless of my weight, race, gender, or sexual orientation, I was different. There’s always been a spark in my soul: a fire, a light.

I am convinced that we all have this spark, but I’ve always had a different energy than most people. I am dreamer. I dream everyday about my future, my career, my love life, what I will look like in 20 years, where I will be, where I will go, who my friends will be, what I’m going to do to change the world. Who will I meet? Who will I marry? How much money will I make?

INSPIRATION :: Philip Tetro’s Madonna Watch

However, I am not concerned with the “How” of it all, because I believe in myself enough to let it all unfold the way it should. Being on television has been a great beginning to this. From what I can remember, I’ve always want to be on T.V. I love the camera, I love the spotlight, and I love how messages are translated through television.

I would come home every day from school and watch Oprah Winfrey with my mother at 4:00 PM, and I wanted to be just like her. Oprah was big, black, confident, and unapologetic. She changed the world every day for twenty-five years. I, too, am unapologetic with my words, and confident with what I have to say. Because of this connection with television and changing the world, combined with Oprah’s teachings, I have had a flame inside me that will never go away. Some call me attention-seeking, or more modernly, a “fame-whore.”

REVIEW :: Philip Tetro reviews Britney Spears’ Femme Fetale Tour (Toronto)

What does that mean? I would do anything to be famous? That I would sleep my way to the top? How dare you. I always get asked, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” I always respond with “I want to change the world.”

Recently it’s come to my attention that this answer doesn’t suffice to most. Everyone wants a specific answer that’s going to blow them away. I want to change the fucking world. I don’t know what that entails, but wouldn’t life just be a bore if you knew it all?

I’m an entertainer: I’ve been acting and performing since I was young. I know that my future will rely on my skills and talents as a performer, combined with my passion for music, art, theatre, and dance. Isn’t that enough? Why do we allow ourselves to be laughed at for stating our fondest desires? Doesn’t everyone have goals that seem impossible? Not me. I was put on this earth for a specific purpose, and I live that purpose each and every day of my life. Maybe we shouldn’t always tell people our dreams. I mean, isn’t that why they are dreams? They are secret and sacred to us. Maybe if we all just did our own thing and didn’t concern ourselves with what other people thought of our dreams, we’d be busier accomplishing them. Life is too short to preoccupy ourselves with what other people think. And the ones who are negative and waste their time judging your dreams simply don’t have very many of their own.

Dream on, no question.

Philip Tetro is our resident blogger about Madonna, life, and whatever else he’s been dreaming of recently. You can catch him on MTV’s 1 girl 5 gays.

Reviewing my personal experiences and those I’ve witnessed of other individuals and groups on a whole through one-on-one contact or mass media exposure, I’m coming to a conclusion: queers are suffering an existential crisis. To wit:

We are always on the lookout for the next crisis of identity, expression, politics, sexuality, gender, and socio-sexual-gender-politics and how they do or do not conform to the written and unwritten rules of homosexual behaviour as deemed by those guarding the flame on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. That’s not only a mouthful, but also a hell of a responsibility!

Instead of fighting for our rights and freedoms, we are fighting each other.

Almost every year, without fail and usually timed around the culmination of the great queer ho-monic convergence known as Pride, we find ourselves thrust into a community-sundering crisis of epic proportions that tilts at our very identity and existence as queer (or however you choose to self-identify) people. Years ago it was typically threats and attacks from outside the community by those who wished to degrade, dehumanize and destroy us either through violence, active prejudice or legislation. For the most part we have beaten those swords into plowshares and come a cropper with human rights that—argue this if you will—are they envy of most queer people around the world. Yet, still we are not satisfied.

With hardly a lion at the door and most of the Trojan horses swapped for Trojan condoms, we have directed our existential angst inward. Yes, folks, instead of fighting for our rights and freedoms, we are fighting each other about how we label ourselves (oh, how I long for the days of Gucci versus Versace). We are now too gay, not gay enough, straight-identified, post-gay, post-mo, pre-fab, rebels, hausfraus, fatties, skinnies, piggies, vanilla, new-and-improved, fortified, fabulous, finished, or just questioning. I’m certainly scratching my head a lot, so I guess I fall in the questioning category (but I do vacillate depending on mood, company and situation).

This year we are all up in each other’s pooches about The New Gay. While this may sound like a branding exercise or a new product launch, it’s about how young queer people are identifying themselves and finding alternatives to their alternative lifestyle; Post-mo’s, as they are calling themselves. This has got a lot of Pre-mo’s in a tizzy and the queer cognoscenti firing off letters and emails and Tweets and Facebook posts at break-nail speed. The Qwerty is mightier than the sword. It has taken the issue from a local, Toronto level to a national discussion (props to the author!).

As usual, when someone comes out with a dissenting opinion, there is an almost choreographed firestorm of rebuttal and retribution. I like the rebuttal part as healthy dialogue and discourse is a good thing. I just think we can leave the snide comments and name-calling and assumption out. But I ask myself each time this happens: why are we all so upset? Why is someone’s perception or experience so jarring as to bring out the daggers? Why do we turn ourselves inside out, upside down and scream at the top of our lungs about our right to free speech and then attack someone in our community who uses their free speech to express an opinion that may not be popular? Who’s agenda are we adhering to and who’s free speech are we protecting?

Why are we afraid of the brave new world we’ve fought so hard to create for ourselves?

Certainly we are all allowed to share our opinions. Certainly we are not all expected to agree with these opinions. I have found myself in the crosshairs once or twice over things I have written and was rather shocked at the vitriol for stepping off point, not following script and not toeing the line. While being called names wasn’t fun, it opened dialogues and provided a forum for differing points of view.

We keep touting diversity in out community. We call for unity and celebration of ourselves as a whole community made up of individuals. Well, individuals have individual life experiences and POV and opinions. Are we going to attack every one who says something that challenges our preconceived notions or bumps us out of our comfort zone for a minute? Why the seeming existential crisis? Why are we afraid of the brave new world we’ve fought so hard to create for ourselves?

Photo: Kris Krug. Featured photo on GGT homepage: iO Tillet Wright

Three words: Force. Of. Nature. More words: Driven, authentic, shoe-a-holic, frontman for The Cliks, who are set to take to the stage this Toronto Pride. Lucas Silveira is our new Man of the Hour and takes our TMI Questionnaire:

JUST THE FACTS

I’m a: Leo.
I’m (age): Hell no girl- a tranny never tells.
I was born: July 30th in Toronto.
I am: A musician/songwriter/rock star.
My fave colour: Black.
Passion: Music.
Fantasy entourage: Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Angelina Jolie.
Turn-ons: Confidence. I love it when a woman hits on me first.
Irresistible in a mate: Passion and focus.
Phrase I most overuse: I need coffee. Now.
Most people would be surprised to know I: Am a psychic intuitive. Scoff but it’s true.
Fictional best friend: Snoopy.
Talent I wish I had: Cooking.
When I order a cocktail I ask for: What dark chocolatey roasty beers do you have?—or a Heineken.

GUILTY PLEASURES

TV: The Facts Of Life.
Song: Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham!
Greatest extravagance: Buying $350 Fluevog Boots- but I was about to perform a duet with Cyndi Lauper at Radio City Music Hall in New York so, need I say more?

WEAR APPARENT

Jeans: Nudies, Diesel, Levi’s
Footwear: Fluevogs, Timberland, Vans, Converse, Pony, Adidas, Penguins, I have an addiction to shoes. I could go on. No joke.
Watch: Don’t wear one
Eyewear: Ray Bans- Aviator & Wayfarer
Casual: Jeans, Tshirt, kinda guy but it’s all gotta come together with the shoes.
Formal: Suit, tie, leather, black boots baby.
Perfume / Cologne: Man – Calvin Klein.

BEAUTY DUTY

Shampoo: Whatever is at the hotel or whatever I brought home from the hotel. Or Dove.
Face wash: Neutrogena.
Moisturizer: Kheils Jet Fuel w 15 SPF.
Body Lotion: Vaseline Body Lotion (unscented).
Indulgence: Can’t say I really have one.

GOTTA GETTA GADGET

Gadgets: Everything Mac makes. I have 2 iPhones but I always want the newest one. A black Mercedes Benz.
On my music player now: The Strokes – Angles.
I always PVR: Never. Barely watch TV.

CULTURE VULTURE

Last book read: Reading- Naked- David Sedaris.
Last movie seen: Black Swan.
Last concert: A great funk band in New York city at Rockwood Music Hall called Aabaraki.
Last play: Something w my ex girlfriend and her parents in Niagara On The Lake but I can’t remember.

OBSESSIONS

Current obsession: My career.
Past obsession: My career.
Future obsession: My career.

CRYSTAL BALL

The next big thing will be: I want to write a book.

AND FINALLY …

Words of wisdom: Have the courage to make mistakes. That’s how you learn to never make them again.

I have a new solo CD called “Mockingbird”. It’s available on iTunes. Amazon and at www.indiepool.com, and I will be performing with The Cliks on Friday, July 1st at the post Trans Pride March festivities at 10 PM.

For all upcoming shows please visit thecliks.com

I never thought I’d make for a pretty girl. I mean, I’m really good-looking (what?), but I never thought I could be a showgirl. That was until yesterday, when I was asked by my good friend and MTV Canada Make-Up Artist, Lucky Bromhead, if I would be her model (victim) for a Pride make-up tutorial video on MTV Fora – MTV’s beauty and fashion blog sister-site.

The video (which will be out next week) chronicles my bitching and whining over her tweezing my eyebrows, applying false eyelashes, getting glitter in my eyes, and whether or not Madonna would be pleased with my new appearance. I really had a new appreciation for the effort and energy drag queens and Cher must have every day. After an hour of a few Madonna impressions, laughs, curse words, and discussing our One Wish For Pride all recorded in HD, I was transformed into a bearded hybrid of Boy George and Roseanne Barr. I couldn’t have been anymore thrilled when I was presented with a red, feathered headpiece that Gaga would lose her shit over.

I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to know that in case this TV stuff doesn’t work out, I could easily be a showgirl in some underground, kinky Vegas nightclub. Very underground. For the blind.

So, here’s a sneak-peek at what I looked like. Isn’t Lucky just the prettiest? Happy Pride, y’all!

- Philip Tetro

Photo: David Leyes

As she gets set to host the 9th annual Funny Girls and Dynamic Divas, Elvira Kurt, funny and dynamic but never a diva, becomes our latest Woman of the Hour and spills the personal stuff as she takes our TMI Questionnaire:

JUST THE FACTS

I’m a: Sadge born in the year of the Ox, just like my mother…which pretty much explains everything.
I’m: 49. For those of you who Googled ‘Year of the Ox’ and ruled out 1961, “On looks alone, she had to be born in 1973…”, it’s true and I’m as pleasantly shocked as you are. For those of you that considered 1949, well, fuck you.
I was born: Same day as Donny Osmond, Judi Dench and Margaret Hamilton, my gay cup overfloweth…
I: Comedy.
My fave colour: Not to sound pretentious but I’m partial to coqelicot or puniceous, depending on my mood. I also like blue.
Passion: Yes, but only after the kids are asleep.
Fantasy entourage: Bugs Bunny, Alison Bechdel, Janelle Monae, and David Sedaris.
Turn-ons: Someone who likes bra and comic book shopping.
Irresistible in a mate: Must love sushi.
Phrase I most overuse: “Get me my fascinator, dammit!”
Most people would be surprised to know I: have followed them home and know where they live…
Fictional best friend: Hopey from ‘Love and Rockets’
Talent I wish I had: Knowing when to keep my mouth shut.
When I order a cocktail I ask for: Cold beer in a frosty mug.

GUILTY PLEASURES

TV: Million Dollar Listing
Song: Whatever was on last week’s Glee.
Greatest extravagance: Royal wedding memorabilia

WEAR APPARENT

Jeans: Low rise, any brand.
Footwear: Vans, Frye Erin Oxford.
Watch: iPhone.
Eyewear: On the Rachel Maddow continuum.
Casual: Value Village, Boys Dept.
Formal: Value Village, Boys Suits Dept.
Perfume/Cologne: Does Speedstick count?

BEAUTY DUTY

Shampoo: From last hotel.
Face wash: L’eau de bathroom tap.
Moisturizer: Kiss My Ass for the Face.
Body Lotion: Kiss My Face for the Ass.
Indulgence: Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream, also tasty on burritos.

GOTTA GETTA GADGET

Gadgets: Badly want noise cancelling headphones, esp. on rainy weekends at home with the teeny-tinys…
On my music player now: Yo Gabba Gabba, Backyardigans, Sho Mo and the Monkey Bunch, Amazon Thirty-Five, Wavin’ Flag.
I always PVR: Reality shows and FF to the ‘so bad it’s good’ parts.

CULTURE VULTURE

Last book read: World of Archie Double Digest #5.
Last movie seen: Rio
Last concert: Senior Kindergarten Spring Concert in Leslieville (f**kin’ rocked!).
Last play: Vagina Monologues at Mother Teresa Middle School.

OBSESSIONS

Current obsession: Self-improvement.
Past obsession: Self-sabotage.
Future obsession: Self-satisfaction.

CRYSTAL BALL

The next big thing will be: Sending tweets with only your mind.

AND FINALLY …

Words of wisdom: Always make a hard copy!

FUNNY GIRLS AND DYNAMIC DIVAS, a music and comedy cabaret! It will be an evening to remember…an incredible silent auction, fabulous food and great company!

Funny Girls & Dynamic Divas will be held June 2nd at the Jane Mallett Theatre. Reception starts at 6 PM. Show time is 7:30 PM.

Hosted by two-time Gemini nominee Elvira Kurt, the line-up features comedians Laurie Elliot and Sabrina Jalees, and musical acts Sarah Slean, Maiko Watson and Alejandra Ribera. Each singer will be backed by the all-female HotHouse Band led by Evelyne Datl.

Tickets available from Sistering 416.926.9762 ext.243 or the St. Lawrence Centre box office 416.366.7723 or www.stlc.com

For more info, visit:  www.sistering.org/events

The Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival is running until May 31, so we sent Richard Ryder, Eddie Stone and Nate Webster to check out the photographic magic.

Grounded – Richard Ryder

Now I want to make this perfectly clear. I am not a shrimper. I do not have a foot fetish, per se. But if we’re talking dancer’s feet…well. The arch of the foot. The strength in the toes. There aren’t enough words to describe the power and poetry of a dancer’s greatest tool. Thank God for Grounded. Aptly shown at the National Ballet School at 400 Jarvis Street, Grounded is a photographic love letter to those ten little piggies that help dancers float on air. Joel Benard chose to not only photograph the dancer’s naked feet, he took their portraits as well and hung them side by side. It’s makes for a haunting dichotomy of serenity and power in these paired pictures. Like a well used instrument, these feet have been used and abused. Every callous, bruise, cracked heel and dead toe nail (You know what I mean. That black toe nail everyone gets once and the only way to get rid of it is to let it grow out, only how do you let it grow out when you’re dancing on it every friggin day?! That one.) is juxtaposed to the face that shares the same body. It’s a startling comparison. The age and wear of the feet next to the youth and innocence of theses (almost) children’s faces. Except for Fransico. Go to this show, look at his pictures and tell me this man doesn’t have the most beautiful feet in the world! I almost question his ability as a dancer his feet are so nice. Dancer are hard on their feet. That’s the rule. The only difference between these artists and any professional athlete is that they don’t often get concussed. Don’t get me wrong, if a bitch step outta line, she get cut but there aren’t a lot of blows to the head in ballet. What was I talking about?

Grounded by Joel Benard is on display at the National Ballet School, 400 Jarvis St from May 4 – 29, M-F, 5-9pm

Colours, Lights, Places: A Journey In Photographs – Eddie Stone

“When I travel with a camera I’m not alone” –Dan Ambramovici

Travelling is one of my very favourite past times.  Exploring unknown lands, hearing strange tongues and tasting foreign foods.  Unfortunately, I don’t get to travel as much as I would like.  Enter photographer Dan Ambramovici.  I visited Dan and his Scotiabank Contact exhibit at a very popular neighbourhood coffee house called The El Almacen, at 1078 Queen St. W.

Ambramovici’s photos immediately sparked my travel imagination with his sometimes haunting and always vivid images taken in South America.  Browsing through the café, the visitor is taken on an exotic journey through a far away and mystical landscape.  From the shot of a ruined home in the forest, to the vast landscape shots of the countryside, Dan’s photos are nothing if not inspiring.  Inspiring to the traveller in me.  Inspiring to the people watcher in me.  Inspiring to the nature lover in me.

From the soaring mountains to the broken down villages and the cracked earth, Dan’s photos make for a unique travel experience like I’ve never had.

Bravo Dan!

Colours, Lights, Places: A Journey In Photographs by Dan Abramovici is on display at El Almacen Yerba Mate Cafe and Gallery at 1078 Queen St. W until May 31.

Fall and Implosions – Nate Webster

Are you ready to jump?

On Wednesday, May 4, 2011 I attended Fall and Implosions at the Alliance Francaise de Toronto – Gallerie Pierre-Leon. The exhibit examines the tension between human actions and their surroundings by bringing together the work of two French photographers, Denis Darzacq and Mathieu Pernot. Each series–in its own way–suggests fragile relationships between humanity and the environment.

As I made my first lap around the gallery I was haunted by the images surrounding me. A disturbing photograph of a man falling. His body inches from the ground. Buildings collapsing. Rubble cascading to the ground. Complete and utter destruction. I believe in artistic freedom, but on this particular afternoon I needed to lifted up, not brought down.

As I made my second lap around the gallery I decided to look at each piece differently. I cocked my head to the right, left, upside down almost. I was determined to pull a different message from each piece. Now, instead of a man falling, my perspective showed a man jumping.

The way I chose to view Darzacq and Pernot’s work made me feel as light as a feather. I gazed at each piece the way I look at life. Any given situation might appear bad, but all it takes is a slight shift of perspective to see a completely new picture.

The next time you feel like you’re falling, turn it upside down. Now you’re jumping.

Yes, I’m ready to jump.

Fall and Implosions by Denis Darzacq and Mathieu Pernot at the Alliance Francaise de Toronto – Gallerie Pierre-Leon at 24 Spadina Road.

Raw Memory – Eddie Stone

Having left the heart of Toronto to live in the west end this past winter, it would be an understatement to say that I am thrilled to be living steps away from so many galleries.  Not long ago I lived in a barren wasteland of culture; today I am surrounded by beauty.

I was able to get up close and personal to some of that beauty at Gallery 1313 on Queen Street West for the Scotiabank Contact Photography Festival.

Gallery 1313 is unassuming, tucked back from the street and easy to miss, that is, unless you know where you’re going.

The exhibit for Contact comprised of 2 groups of 15 artists showing their work at two different times.

The first group showed from April 27 – May 8 and comprised of Linda Briskin, Kye Marshall, L.E. Glazer, Peter Dewdney, Richard Lush, Christine Marshall-Smith, Chritian Badanjak, Randi Apple, Alex Coley, Deborah Kanfer, Nelly Akerman-Singer, Marvin Antonio, Kelly Lamorie, and Paulette Michayluk.

The second group shows from May 11 – May 22 and is comprised of Laura Horne, Tim Neesam, Paul Osadchuk, Thomas Hlavecek, Dennis Duncan, Anuta Skrypnychenko, Robin York, Keith Davidson, Wendy Jones, Jack Martin, Showwei Chu, Robert Teteruck, Roz Tepper, Robert Caspary, and Chris Blanchenot.

In the two installments, emerging and established photographers use both traditional and new media to explore how the mind perceives, translates and interprets the world through memory. The works range in style and subject matter, from the black and white nude lady stormtrooper by Chris Blanchenot to the run down theatre front by Robyn York.  One of my personal favourites was the back of an anonymous man’s head surrounded by video cameras, very paparazzi, captured by photographer Robert Teteruck.

Photography helps humankind record events and solidify memory.

Real memory recalls experience; digital memory perceives and records.

In the space between lies Raw Memory.

We have every episode of 1 Girl 5 Gays on our DVR and are always surprised (and sometimes in awe) of the things that our Man of the Hour says! Meet the always controversial, Matt Barker!

JUST THE FACTS

I’m a Pisces.

I’m 21.

I was born on March 10th 1990.

I am an Entertainer, Club and Television Personality.

My fave colour: Black, Gun Metal Gray

Passion: Entertainment and Creative Expression

Fantasy entourage: Matt Sims, RuPaul, James St James, and Michael Alig

Turn-ons: Baseball Hats, Tattoos, and BMWs

Irresistible in a mate: Money, Maturity, and Independance

Phrase I most overuse: “Going through it” “Tranny” “Fierce” “Wherq”

Most people would be surprised to know I: am EXTREMLY sensitive

Fictional best friend: Don’t need one! My best friend is Matt Sims. He is my mentor and everything I need in a best friend.

Talent I wish I had: To Dance

When I order a cocktail I ask for: I don’t, I ask for Triple Vodka on the rocks

GUILTY PLEASURES

TV: 1Girl5Gays, Ancient Aliens, Golden Girls

Song: BLOW by KESHA

Greatest extravagance: Porn Culture

WEAR APPARENT

Jeans: Nudi Black Skinnies

Footwear: Army Boots of ANY make (except ALDO)

Watch: Michael Kors

Eyewear: Ray Ban or Prada

Casual: Ben Sherman head to toe

Formal: Fitted Jacked with my NUDI skinnies

Perfume / Cologne: WOOD by DSquared

BEAUTY DUTY

Shampoo: Tresume

Face wash: Don’t need it- my skin is flawless.

Moisturizer: -don’t use

Body Lotion: -don’t use

Indulgence: XY Skin Care

GOTTA GETTA GADGET

Gadgets I love and / or covet: Black on Black BMW, iPhone.

On my music player now: BLOW Kesha

I always PVR: CELEBRITY APPRENTICE

CULTURE VULTURE

Last book read: The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

Last movie seen: HANNA

Last concert: – Never been to a concert

Last play: – I was in a play that I had to be completely naked in. I never watched it… and I never watch plays because I get to scared for them because I feel like they are going to screw up at any second.

OBSESSIONS

Current obsession: The Gym and Suppressing my appetite

Past obsession: My Boyfriend

Future obsession: My Career

CRYSTAL BALL

The next big thing will be: Pop Tribal music, and interactive parties that are connected to television and celebrity culture.

AND FINALLY …

Words of wisdom: This is going to sound SO cliché, but its something I live for. “Keep Dreaming and Keep Going”. Be strong and love everyone- even the haters.

I have been developing a weekly party at COBRA NIGHTCLUB [510 King W]. My party is called Z-list. It’s a WEDNESDAY night event that combines Straight and Gay into 1 Super power party. Z-list is easily one of the most talked about nights in Toronto and is quickly becoming a substitute for gays that have been apart of The Barn’s famous College Night Party. Gays are starting to venture to the west and I have a home ready for them. You can see photos at http://www.z-list.com.

Yesterday you read about why Kyle Kofsky started the IFFF series. Now and once again, exclusively to GayGuideToronto.com, we have the stills for one of the hotly anticipated films. Toronto-based men’s and women’s designer Zoran Dobric’s first cinematic debut which is directed by Kevin Caners the film is a fashion fantasy about two forest creatures meeting clad in nature patterns. GayGuideToronto.com has obtained the pre-screening stills for all our fashion fanatics.
Speaking with Dobric, via email I asked, “What makes this film unique among a myriad of fashion films?” He responded, “This movie is different from the other films because it is a beautifully shot, artistic, fantasy fashion video rather than a documentary. We were trying to create dream-like atmosphere and to capture the beauty of the forest, models and the clothing.”

The film premieres Wednesday, April 27th at 8:50 p.m. at 99 Sudbury.

For tickets visit: Getfat.ca
To see Zoran’s full F/W 11 men’s and women’s wear collections visit: Zorandobric.com
All Photos By: Stephen Severn

Alright. So on April 16 at 6:30 in the morning I started climbing the CN Tower.  Something I’ve always wanted to do, ever since that big blackout that shut down the eastern sea board way back when. Remember? I was working wardrobe on the worst show ever and thought I’d blown a fuse on the wardrobe truck when my iron didn’t turn on. So, much to the amazement and wonder of the crew, I went around the building we were in looking for an outlet that worked. No one seems to realize the vacuum one lives in when stuck in the bowels of a wardrobe truck. I digress. That night I walked up 17 flights to my apartment and thought I was going to die. As I sat there in the stairwell waiting for the angel of death or to catch my breath, it suddenly hit me that if all our mod cons of the 21st century were taken from us, we’d be fucked! Never mind the internet or cell phones, I’m talking electricity here! So right there, in a cloud of realization that stairs wouldn’t be my undoing, I vowed to one day walk up the CN Tower. And I did it. In 31 minutes and 58 seconds. There’s another climb in October. I’m going to try and do it in 25 minutes! Shut your face! xox

In the arena of Toronto’s rising fashion figures Kyle Kofsky may not be on your lips but after FAT, Toronto’s Alternative Fashion Week, he will be. The man who started the artist collective Everyone Is An Artist is out to consummate the relationship with fashion and film through FAT’s new IFFF Series (International Fashion Film Festival). In its inaugural year during FAT 2011, this highly anticipated film series is the first of its kind in Canada and being watched by designers and film makers around the world.

The intention of the series was not produce endlessly long commercials for the participating designers. Remember Calvin Klein’s wickedly avant-garde and deliciously mocked, 10-minute Obsession commercial in the 80s? Forget that, as these films are far cooler than Lady Gaga could ever hope to be. Some films were we done in a week while others took about a month.  So I had to find out more about the man behind the chic lenses. In an interview exclusively for GayGuideToronto.com I asked Kofsky why you should be excited about this new series during FAT?

Max MacDonald: Kyle how did you come up with the idea for the IFFF series?

Kyle Kofsky: Vanja Vasic, the Executive Director of FAT, and I have worked together in the past. Last year I entered a film called A Love Story which had couture costumes by Kelly Henderson of Harsh Designs. Vanja and I brainstormed about the idea of merging designers and film makers. We didn’t want it to be a visual look book or have any type of television commercial feeling but have a real merger of clothes and film. She found the designers and I found the film makers.  We worked on the title of for the longest time and decided on “IFFF”. The marriage of fashion and film is like white on rice.

MM: What are your favourite films submitted to IFFF?

KK:  Starting the series on Tuesday, April 26th Gaudet: Fashion House by Zenon Turczyn and Shawn Venasse, on the same night : Pat McDonagh directed by Billie Mintz,  finally on Friday, April 29^th: Jessica Jensen directed by Lynn Kamm for this film there was a trip to Asia and the launch of a new item involved which almost didn’t happen. These are the three which stand out in my mind but all of them are excellent in their own right.

MM: Was there any you said “no” to as the proposed idea was too crazy for FAT?

KK: No, this year was IFFF’s premiere so we embraced the unusual. We knew what we were going to get as many of the film makers I knew of or worked with previously. This series is a complete change to Canadian film landscape as most people don’t have “the balls” to make films such as these. We wanted to celebrate the artists who do.  By the end of May 2011 or shortly after IFFF will go online where there will be an online application to submit projects for 2012.

MM: Finally being the co-founder of the IFFF Series, who do you wear?

KK: Hmmm, well I wear LOFT, APC, Marc Jacobs, and Banana Republic. I wear Banana Republic because of the fit of their t-shirts. Though I know it’s not out there but I believe you shouldn’t stop wearing one designer just because it’s not fashionable, if the fit is good on you, wear it because it looks good.

For more information on the entire IFFF series and FAT visit: getfat.ca