Atlanta LGBT film festival receives $90,000 grant from Turner ahead of 30th anniversary

October 7, 2014 Atlanta - Exterior of CNN Center on Tuesday, October 7, 2014. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Credit: Jewel Wicker

Credit: Jewel Wicker

October 7, 2014 Atlanta - Exterior of CNN Center on Tuesday, October 7, 2014. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

An Atlanta film festival dedicated to telling the stories of the LGBT community has received a grant from one of the city's biggest media companies.

Out on Film will receive a $90,000 Turner Voices grant from the Atlanta-based media conglomerate over the course of three years. The first installment of $30,o00 will come in handy this year as festival organizers prepare to celebrate the festival's 30th anniversary.

Additional funding will allow more filmmakers to attend the 8-day festival and add additional days of programming.

“Turner’s longtime support of Out On Film has helped the organization to grow over the years and help identify the filmmaking voices of tomorrow,” Jim Farmer, Out On Film’s festival director, said in a press release. “When we rebranded and became independent in 2008, Turner was instrumental in helping us do so. Their support and belief in us has allowed us to expand the scope of our services and introduce Atlanta to a tremendous amount of filmmaking talent.

The 2017 festival is scheduled to take place Sept. 28-Oct. 5 at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, with additional programing before and after the festival. This year's schedule is expected to be released in August.

Turner Voices was created to support "community arts and culture, and youth development." Theater company Actor's Express was also awarded the grant this year.