On Friday night, Rose Troche ascended the stage to accept the 2004 Frameline Award from queer movie historian and filmmaker Jenni Olson before a 10th Anniversary screening of GO FISH. Troche, who made the stage holding a sign reading "Justice for Gwen," in honor the slain transgender teen Gwen Araujo, held her chest as she told the enthusiastic Frameline28 audience that she really felt her heart in San Francisco and that the Castro was a magic place for her. Congratulations Rose!

After the Frameline Award ceremony, the Festival kicked off Pride weekend with a great party hosted by Absolut at the famous "Christmas Tree" house owned by San Francisco's own Tom and Jerry. In addition to the scores of filmmakers and industry guests who were there, Alan Cumming stopped by for a drink and a look at the panoramic view of this great city. (BTW, Alan was NOT one of the bold boys and girls who doffed their clothes for a dip in the hot tub.)

As we close, a quick look back at the beginning. We heard from Daniel, one of Frameline's great volunteers, that on Opening Night, he approached TOUCH OF PINK director Ian Iqbal Rashid, who happened to be one of Daniel's high school students over 25 years ago. Rashid instantly recognized Daniel and they shared one of those only-at-Frameline moments that everyone loves.

In the documentary TYING THE KNOT, director Jim de Seve includes incredible archival footage of a gay marriage protest from 1971 when activist Arthur Evans staged an action at the NYC marriage office after the city threatened to sue churches that performed same-sex unions. Evans attended the screening, where he saw the film for the first time, and Festival audiences were proud to welcome this gay marriage pioneer to the TYING THE KNOT screening.

It is all about numbers, baby! Everyone is still abuzz about the great run Frameline28 had in Oakland at the Parkway Theatre and the Grand Lake. Sources say that the Festival screenings outgrossed all the summer blockbusters at the Grand Lake, including Harry Potter, Shrek 2, and the Day After Tomorrow.