Start your semester out right. Catch a film at the LGBT Film Festival Sept. 6-16. The festival is one of the longest running in Milwaukee; in fact, it is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

The LGBT fest celebrates the best international, classic and new films and videos about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

The festival kicks on at 7:30 p.m. at the Oriental Theatre (2230 N. Farwell Ave), with the local premiere of “Nina’s Heavenly Delight,” directed by Pratibha Parmar, with a post-screening reception at Beans and Barley (1901 North Ave).

Make sure to catch: The free screening of “Funeral Parade of Roses,” by Japanese director Toshio Matsumoto on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 11 p.m. at the UWM Union. This film is said to have influenced Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange.” I was lucky enough to see it at last year’s Ann Arbor Film Festival with Matsumoto present; it is luscious and a treat for the senses.

“Itty Bitty Titty Committee,” also showing on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 9 p.m., a Festival Spotlight film. It is an absurd story of heartbreak, feminism and the CIA.

The second Festival Spotlight film “Shelter,” which plays at the UWM Union on Friday, Sept. 7 at 9 p.m. “Shelter” is a family drama about a young man coming of age and coming to terms with his sexuality.

“The Witnesses,” the Festival Centerpiece at the Oriental Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. “The Witnesses” is the story of four friends in 1984 Paris whose love affair has an unexpected outcome: a silent and deadly disease that is about to become an epidemic.

For a full schedule and information about ticket prices, venues, etc, please visit www.arts.uwm.edu/lgbtfilm.

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