Arthur J. Bressan Jr.

One of the pioneers of independent gay cinema in the 1970s and '80s, Arthur J. Bressan, Jr. is best known for his 1985 drama, Buddies (the first feature film about AIDS). Working across multiple genres including documentary, narrative, adult and short form filmmaking, Bressan's boldness and artistry as a writer-director earned him both acclaim and controversy over the course of his decade-long filmmaking career. In addition to Buddies, Bressan's best known films include Abuse (hailed by Rex Reed as "a film of astonishing power and emotional impact"); the ambitious 1977 documentary Gay U.S.A. which showcased LGBT Pride celebrations across the country during the time of Anita Bryant's anti-gay crusade; and Passing Strangers, Bressan's lyrical hard-core coming out drama which earned him the Best Director Prize at the 1974 San Francisco Erotic Film Festival. Other films include: Forbidden Letters (1979), Family Affair (1982), Thank You, Mr. President (1983), Pleasure Beach (1984), Juice (1984) and Daddy Dearest (1984). Bressan died of AIDS in 1987.