Bent returns to air

Melbourne queer community television program Bent TV is back on air this weekend and has announced a new board will see it through the year.

The organisation appears to be continuing its rebuilding phase. The program returned to local screens in March 2011 after a long hiatus.

Bent TV president Linzi Kurileff said the past 12 months had been important to stabilise and develop a new season.

“When the new Bent TV board was formed in December 2010 there was the realisation of the great challenges ahead,” Kurileff said.

“We had inherited an organisation in disarray with little or no structure in place, community relationships and respect was low and more importantly, Bent TV had put nothing to air in over 12 months.”

The program has been around since 1993 and has had stretches on and off air.

Since it regrouped in 2010, Bent TV returned to Channel 31 (C31) screens in March last year with LGBTI variety show Alphabet Soup. A new 13-week season will screen from this Saturday, March 10, 10.30pm.

At its annual general meeting last month, Kurileff was re-elected president and new members Remy Scholten and Steve Pereira were elected vice president and public officer. Simon Robinson and Greg Adkins were elected as ordinary members.

Treasurer Peter de Groot will remain in place, and Andy Mack and Paul Anthony will continue on the board.

Longtime Bent TV volunteer Jayne Monroe received a life membership at the meeting.

De Groot said the program is now looking to raise money to buy a new camera for location shoots.

“Funds wise we still have a long way to go,” de Groot said.

“Although Bent TV is in a better place financially than it has been for some years, the costs of producing television continues to rise.

“Studio time at C31 costs $300 per session. On top of that there’s the administration costs and we need a new computer that can handle the appropriate editing software. The list of expenditure continues to grow as Bent TV grows.”

The group also plans to develop a website to screen previews of Bent TV shows and past episodes.

A pre-screening of the show and a fundraiser will be held at DT’s Hotel, Richmond on Saturday, March 10 at 3pm. There will be door prizes and a raffle.

INFO: www.benttv.org.au