Screenings, which begin Aug. 25, include “Women Who Kill,” “AWOL,” “Spa Night” and more

In celebration of the 5^th anniversary of , the Lehigh Valley’s two premier independent cinemas, the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas and Civic Theatre of Allentown, along with the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, are teaming up to present a record 10 films that shine the spotlight on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community.

The LGBT Film Series presented by TD Bank, which takes place Aug. 25-Oct. 1, is set to kick off at the ArtsQuest Center in Bethlehem with a 20^th Anniversary Screening of “The Celluloid Closet,” an award-winning documentary that explores the history of gay and lesbian characters throughout film since its inception. The film is narrated by Lily Tomlin and features interviews with Tony Curtis, Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Hanks and Susan Sarandon, among others.

On Aug. 31 at the ArtsQuest Center, the series will show “Women Who Kill,” the winner of two Best Screenplay awards at the 2016 Tribecca Film Festival. Directed by Ingrid Jungermann, who also stars in the film, “Women Who Kill” focuses on two ex-lovers turned podcast hosts who get thrown for a loop when they suspect a new love interest might be a murderer.

Shot in the Wilkes-Barre area, “AWOL,” which stars Lola Kirke of “Mistress America” and Breeda Wool of Lifetime’s “UnREAL,” will screen Sept. 8 at the ArtsQuest Center. The film follows a young woman named Joey who falls in love with a housewife just as she considers enlisting in the Army.

On Sept. 15 the series will feature “Spa Night,” winner of the Special Jury Prize for Breakout Performance at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival for actor Joe Seo and Best Narrative Feature Prize at the 2016 Outfest Los Angeles. This film tells the story of a young Korean-American man who works to reconcile his obligations to his struggling immigrant family with his burgeoning sexual desires in the underground world of gay hookups at spas.

“TD Bank is a proud advocate for the LGBT community,” says Eileen Holmes, Market President for TD Bank. “By promoting diversity in our communities and making inclusion a core value, we can send a powerful message of encouragement to others.”

Designed to raise awareness of LGBT issues, the LGBT Film Series is made possible thanks to the support of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, as well as Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley and the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center.

“Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center is excited to partner with TD Bank, Civic Theatre of Allentown and ArtsQuest on the 2016 LGBT Film Series,” says Adrian Shanker, Executive Director of the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center. “This year’s film series features a record number of films thanks to this unique partnership, and working with these three community-focused organizations is creating new opportunities to promote diversity and raise awareness of some of the important issues facing our LGBT community.”

Tickets for each film in the LGBT Film Series are $10 regular admission and $8 for students and seniors at both locations. Tickets for all films are on sale now at steelstacks.org and 610-332-3378.

The complete schedule is:

The Celluloid Closet: 20th Anniversary Screening (includes a talkback following the screening)
Aug. 25, 8 p.m., at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas

Viva
Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m., at the Civic Theatre of Allentown

Women Who Kill
Aug. 31, 7:15 p.m., at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas

AWOL (includes a talkback following the screening)
Sept. 8, 7:15 p.m., at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas

Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party
Sept. 13, 7:15 p.m., at the Civic Theatre of Allentown

Spa Night
Sept. 15, 7:15 p.m., at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas

Two Soft Things, Two Hard Things (includes a talkback following the screening)
Sept. 20, 7:15 p.m., at the Civic Theatre of Allentown

Burroughs (includes a talkback following the screening)
Sept. 26, 7:15 p.m., at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas

Rocky Horror Picture Show
Sept. 30, 7:15 p.m., at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas

Freeheld (includes a talkback following the screening)
Oct. 1, 7:15 p.m., at the Civic Theatre of Allentown

The Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas are located in the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem and Civic Theatre of Allentown is located at 527 N. 19th St. in Allentown. For more information on the series and films, visit steelstacks.org and civictheatre.com.