Fishnets and Film: The Drag Themed Festival!

Do you ever think you might enjoy Drag performance and queer cinema paired with alcohol and tasty nibbles? Robby Kendall, the CEO of the drag-themed film festival, Fishnets and Films has got you covered!

The next event is at New Parkway Theater on March 2nd. It’s a “Let’s Talk About Sex” themed program, so, obviously you don’t want to miss it. Local drag performers and delicious bites from Hot Cookie will be there. Embedded in this fun event is an underlying message of community and acceptance.

Robby Kendall sits at the bar of The Bureau in Richmond. Photos by Vita Hewitt.

A fierce advocate for supporting LGTBQ+ films in the Bay, Kendall makes space for filmmakers of all levels in his beloved film festival. He hopes to shed light on the social injustices imposed on the LGTBQ+ community. Kendall accomplishes this by hosting monthly film festivals at venues all over the Bay Area. “The more events I can produce and partnerships I can make, the more I can help enlighten others and remind folks how essential and valuable our LGBTQ+ members are to society.” Says Kendall.

An award-winning filmmaker, actor and drag queen (who goes by the name Miss Sweet Nothing), Kendall believes that more visibility for queer independent filmmakers is important.

River Joy, Robby Kendall and Elsa Touche at The Lookout. Photo by Vita Hewitt.

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“The more events I can produce and partnerships I can make, the more I can help enlighten others and remind folks how essential and valuable our LGBTQ+ members are to society.” – Kendall.

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“In 2021, I became a filmmaker and made a short film about Drag Queens. I thought, being a Drag Queen myself, it would be a fabulous idea to screen my film during a Drag show. With this pairing of Drag and Queer Cinema, my team and I titled it Fishnets and Film. We had a red carpet, step and repeat backdrop, sponsors, and two packed houses!

During and after the show, I realized this concept was greater than my own film. It is now a nonprofit organization with an unwavering mission to celebrate our queer performance artists and queer cinema communities through the production of festivals, events, and films.” Robby tells me.

Fishnets and Film play to a full house on January 21st, 2024. Photo by Emily Williams.

Currently Fishnets and Film has partnered with Frameline. Kendall hopes to encourage relationships with other organizations in the area with similar interests. “Through events, festivals, and films, we can bring more Queer content into this world when we need it most.” he states.

La Chucha performed at The New Parkway theater for Fishnets and Films gala event on January 21st, 2024. Photo by Emily Williams.

“an unwavering mission to celebrate our queer performance artists and queer cinema communities through the production of festivals, events, and films.”

I notice that a lot of his films draw from personal experiences. Robby tells me “I live a fun and crazy life! Like many folks, I come from a dysfunctional family, but I’ve learned how to put “fun” in dysfunction. I do that through living my life to its fullest, traveling all around the world, and going for my dreams, like being a contestant on the Price is Right.

I’m adventurous, fearless at times, and unafraid to let my hair down and have fun. (What’s left of my hair). When my creative energy starts to flow and I want to write a script, I often reflect on personal experiences that changed me, improved my life, or helped shape my identity.”

His feature-length film “Miss Sweet Nothing” will be out this year. Based on Kendall’s experience of becoming a drag queen, it touches on questions of identity and self. “Back in the late 90s, I ventured into writing and directing plays. Back then, as an effeminate, gay pretty boy, I struggled with being perceived by society and the gay community as feminine while identifying as masculine. At some point, I landed in an office bartering for space at a local queer community center.

Kendall as his drag persona Miss Sweet Nothing at The Bureau last year.

During that meeting, the Executive Director tasked me to help them find a Drag Queen for Bingo the following week to secure space. With my feminine/masculine identity clash, I went on an emotional journey to find a drag queen. No luck. Many folks, including my friends, questioned why I wasn’t doing drag already or said I should do it. I ultimately embraced that feminine side, channeled my theater background, and gave birth to my Drag Queen Persona, Miss Sweet Nothing.” Neither the film nor the film festivals are to be missed.

Luckily for us there are a few events coming up at The New Parkway Theater in Oakland California. On March 2, 1 pm, there will be a “Let’s Talk About Sex” themed program with a feature film: https://sweetnothingproductions.com/product/sexplanation/

On Sunday, April 21, 1pm, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Fishnets and Film. There will be a showcase of Drag and short films with special guests and sponsors in the house.

To find out more visit their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SweetNothingProductions

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