Thursday's opening of NewFest, New
York's annual LGBT film festival, will include Tituss Bugess, Debra
Messing and Russell Tovey.
Debra Messing (Will & Grace,
Smash) will present the festival's inaugural Voice &
Visibility Award to out actor Burgess, who has received two Emmy
nominations for his portrayal of Titus Andromedon in the Netflix
comedy Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
“It's an honor to be the first
recipient of this award,” Burgess said. “What a lovely reminder
to us all that being yourself gives others permission to stand
proudly in their own individuality.”
The 28th annual festival
will open with the North American premiere of The Pass, in
which Tovey (Looking, Quantico) plays a closeted soccer
player.
The movie is adapted by John Donnelly
from his own play and directed by Ben A. Williams.
Tovey, Williams and Donnelly will
participate in a Q&A after the film's screening.