Filmmakers Michael Eldridge, Enrique Menendez, and Wolfgang Busch discussed HIV/AIDS issues at New York University

In connection with the Fifth Annual New York AIDS Film Festival, excerpted screenings of three documentaries were presented free to the public at NYU's King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center on December 1, 2007. The first such screening was of director Michael Eldridge's film, GMHC at 25, a short documentary that takes the viewer through the harrowing first years of the AIDS/HIV crisis. The film takes the viewer from the beginning of GMHC to the agency's present -- and how we need to keep fighting AIDS/HIV today. Mr. Eldridge's story is told exclusively through first-person interviews of the men and women who have fought this pandemic for the last 25 years. Their voices weave both a hopeful and haunting look at this crisis.

The second documentary to be presented was an excerpt of Enrique Menendez's film, AboutFace. This first-person film introduces the filmmaker in his professional theatrical roles as a GI from the Vietnam War, sailor from WWII, and a student during the French revolution. We learn how he became infected. Through images of one of Enrique’s HIV pharmaceutical ads, the March on Washington, and the AIDS quilt, we learn how these battles deeply affect him. Upon HIV infection, we see how the virus has affected his body. Next, Enrique reminisces about his 40th and 30th birthday parties -- and how his medications take their toll. His desire to control is manifested in addiction.

The final documentary to be excerpted was Wolfgang Busch's documentary, How Do I Look, a decade-long community-based empowerment project about the Harlem "Ball" community. Following the screenings was a Q&A session.

Another special World AIDS Day screening of "How Do I Look"

In connection with the 2007 New York AIDS Film Festival, New York University is hosting a special World AIDS Day screening of How Do I Look directed by Wolfgang Busch, on Saturday, December 1, 2007. A Q&A session with the documentary’s director will follow the screening.

The free screening of How Do I Look will take place from 11 am to 12 pm at New York University at the King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center, 53 Washington Square South, New York City. Admission to attend this special screening is free. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

For more information, please contact the director Wolfgang Busch at: Art From The Heart Films, 718-726-0831 or WolfgangBusch@earthlink.net, www.HowDoILookNYC.org.

About How Do I Look

How Do I Look is an award-winning documentary about the Harlem “Ball” community. This documentary feature originated as a community empowerment project for dancers and artists in the Ball community; it was directed by Wolfgang Busch in collaboration with assistant directors from the “Ball” community: Kevin Omni and Luna Khan. Since its early production, How Do I Look has been screened as a work-in-progress film at many prestigious American universities, such as Yale University, New York University, and Sarah Lawrence College, as part of academic curricula and student-run programs. Because the “Ball” community has been hit hard by the AIDS pandemic, from the outset Mr. Busch included in the final version of How Do I Look important messages from dancers and artists about HIV/AIDS prevention and care. As part of the New York AIDS Film Festival, a special 10-minute segment will be screened from How Do I Look, addressing HIV/AIDS. Featured in the HIV excerpt from the How Do I Look documentary are: Octavia St. Laurent, Kevin Omni, Jose Xtravaganza, Carmen Xtravaganza, Harmonica Sunbeam, Luna Khan, Kevin Aviance, Kenny Ebony, Darryck LaBeija, and Marcel Christian.

About the “Ball” community

The Harlem "Ball" community has been, and continues to be, influential in fashion, music, runway, and dance. The artistry and talent from this community have inspired superstars Madonna, Iman, Marc Jacobs, and RuPaul. Unfortunately, the “Ball” community has been devastated by the AIDS pandemic, resulting in the loss of the community’s leadership. As a community, the dancers and artists from the “Ball” scene continue to fight an uphill battle for artistic and social empowerment.

About the New York AIDS Film Festival

To mark Work AIDS Day this year on December 1, The New York AIDS Film Festival (NYAFF) will provide a series of HIV- and AIDS-related film screenings, panel discussions, and special events. Its mission is to provide the public with information about the disease by sponsoring the screenings of visual media. The New York AIDS Film Festival features diverse works, which serve as educational material about HIV/AIDS. These programs aim to promote social action in the fight against the global AIDS pandemic. In 2006, the New York AIDS Film Festival commemorated the 25th Anniversary of the first diagnosed case of AIDS. Stay tuned for more information about this important film festival.