Local film's timing raises political eyebrows

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

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Nestor said the film isn't about Storms, but about discrimination against gays.

Amy Nestor calls herself an independent filmmaker.

She released her first documentary Sunday at the Tampa Bay Builder's Guild Expo. It's titled "Un!banned!" and Nestor hopes its release will ban people from voting for Hillsborough County Commissioner Rhonda storms, who is running for state senate.

Nestor said she got the idea last year after Storms convinced fellow commissioners to remove a gay pride display in the children's book section of the Westgate library.

"Hopefully, we can open up some minds and eliminate some of the discrimination," Nestor said.

But Nestor said the film's focus is not on Storms.

"She's in the film, but basically it's about discrimination," Nestor said.

The 15-minute film was released less than a month before the general election. Timing, Nestor said,was planned around the Tampa Gay Pride Film Festival.

"It's ironic that it's a month before, but my goal was to get it in the film festival," Nestor said.

Storms was unavailable for comment, but in previous media statements Storms questioned the legality of the film being released so close to the election.

The film is being promoted on the web site www.unbanned.org. But the

Storms thinks the timing of the film's release is curious given the election is next month.

film's director said she is not a member of any political action committee or non-profit agency.

"I'm not associated with anyone else," Nestor said. "I've received no money to do this. I've done it all out of my own pocket."

She's hoping to recoup her costs with the outcome of November's election.

The film was inspired by the controversy at a Hillsborough County Public Library and that's where it will be shown. A screening will be held at the John F. Germany public library next weekend and four other libraries across the county.

Nestor said it's not only about the commission's discrimination against gays, but what she believes is it's discrimination against minorities.