We are pleased to award the inaugural grants from our BENT Sacramento LGBTQ+ Film & Arts Fund to A La Mode (pictured) and Cecilia Romo, local filmmakers whose works celebrate the unique experiences and perspectives of LGBTQ+ people.
A charitable program under our management, the BENT Sacramento LGBTQ+ Film & Arts Fund continues the legacy of the BENT Sacramento LGBTQ+ Film Festival, a beloved local event that supported LGBTQ+ artists and their films for nearly three decades.
“We are very happy to support these two very different artists and help them share their unique stories,” said Michael Dennis, one of the advisors to the fund.
Cecilia Romo was awarded a grant for her project, “Me Porto Bonita.” This film, written and directed by Romo, draws inspiration from her personal experiences and those of her friends, navigating the complexities of heartbreak while living in Sacramento during their twenties.
“As a queer Latina, my approach to this film is to create something unique, heartfelt, and fun,” Romo expressed. “I want to emphasize uplifting communities that often face sidelining and misrepresentation, including Latinas, queer individuals, and the city of Sacramento.”
The second grant recipient is A La Mode for the documentary “A La Mode: A Slice of Life,” a compelling exploration of the journey of A La Mode, a non-binary drag artist who was named Miss Gay Sacramento 2021.
“I’ve worked as a drag artist in nightlife since 2015,” said Mode. “The past three years have been some of the most triumphant and challenging in my career, and I’m excited to peel back the curtain to show the hard, ugly side of this seemingly glamorous life.”
For nearly 30 years, the BENT Sacramento LGBTQ+ Film Festival served as a vital local platform supporting LGBTQ+ artists and their films. Following its closure in 2021, the organization’s leaders collaborated with the Foundation to establish this fund and corresponding grant program, carrying forward its important mission. To support the fund with a credit card gift, visit our donation portal.