From July 13-25, Philadelphia will once again play host to the best in gay cinema as the 12th Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival takes over the Avenue of the Arts.

Produced by the Philadelphia Film Society, a non-profit, membership-based organization, the 13 day festival will be held at three screening venues all within walking distance of each other in the heartbeat of the city’s arts and culture scene. The festival venues also reside adjacent to the city’s gay social center, the Gayborhood.

The festival’s three “Avenue of the Arts” venues are the Prince Music Theater (1412 Chestnut Street); the Wilma Theater (265 South Broad Street); and the Arts Bank (601 South Broad Street).

As the largest gay and lesbian film festival on the East Coast and the third largest in the U.S., PIGLFF will showcase programming reflecting the GLBT community and honor the many directors and actors who have made an impact on GLBT entertainment. The festival will also host a bevy of events and parties in and around the Gayborhood and Center City.

While the schedule of films and festival events is still under development, the 124 page full-color official festival program guide with complete festival information will hit the streets June 23. The program guide can be picked up at all five TLA video stores, any Whole Foods Market, and various locations throughout the Gayborhood and Center City. The festival website will go live the same day, replete with festival information. Tickets go on sale June 24 for members and on June 27 for the public.

This year’s presenting sponsors will be Avis, TLA Entertainment Group, the Pennsylvania Film Office, Here Entertainment, and The City of Philadelphia, Department of Commerce.

To receive the latest information regarding the 2006 Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, as well as information on becoming a Philadelphia Film Society member, visit www.phillyfests.com or call 267-765-9700.