Topping the list is "Eating Out", a hilarious sex comedy from Q. Allan Brocka. If the name Brocka rings a familiar bell, it is because the young director is the nephew of the late Philippines National Artist for Film, Lino Brocka. The director will be appearing in person during his screening to introduce his film that stars Jim Verraros, one of last year's American Idol winners.

"Inter.M@tes" is another festival premiere by South African director, Hamilton McLeod, a UK-Philippine production shot entirely in the Philippines with an all-Filipino cast. The long-awaited film stars Ian Veneracion who sheds off his tough macho cadence for a queenly romp in gay beaches and cafes. Joining him are gorgeous Filipino actors and models - Raymond Bagatsing, Simon Ibarra, Jojo Alejar, Jay Espano, Mike Lloren and William Thio. The all-star cast bested 300 hopefuls who swamped the audition a day after a casting call was made. In the film, too, are Migue Moreno and beauty queen Evangeline Pascual.

With support from the British Council, the outrageous British hit film, "9 Dead Gay Guys" will have its Asian premiere together with the lowkey, "The Wolves of Kromer." A salute to the notoriously famous German director, Rainier Werner Fassbinder, comes with the screening of his elegiac film, "Love is colder than Death," courtesy of the Goethe Institut. A touch of Bollywood is represented by Sridhar Rangayan's "Gulabi Aaina," the first film about the vanishing exotic world of Indian drag queens. Other Asian delights come from Malaysia led by Osman Ali's "Bukak Api," a film on the dramatic efforts to reach out to the vulnerable sectors of gays and prostitutes as they struggle against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The Philippine retrospective carries distinguished names in local cinema. Classic gay films include Lino Brocka's "Macho Dancer," Mel Chionglo's "Burlesk King," Carlos Siguion Reyna's "Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Selya," and Joel Lamangan's "Pusong Mamon." Also to be screened are Deocampo's prizewinning films like "The Sex Warriors and the Samurai," the autobiographical "Private Wars" and "Isaak". Other titles include gay and lesbian works coming from the Mowelfund Film Institute and the University of the Philippines Film Institute.

As a human rights event, the festival also highlights the need for recognition of the gay and lesbian community which, despite modest gains, remain marginalized in Filipino society.

The festival runs June 15 until July 11 in SM Megamall, Manila, Baguio, Iloilo and at the University of the Philippines Film Institute. Nationwide screenings will follow in all SM cinemas. Click here to visit the festival website.