AfterEllen.com 2007 Visibility Awards

BEST FESTIVAL RELEASE WITH LESBIAN/BI CHARACTERS

WINNER: Out at the Wedding

Out at the Wedding, director Lee Friedlander's comedy about lies and misunderstandings in a Southern family, isn't a lesbian movie in the traditional sense, but that may be why it works better than most actual lesbian movies. It delivered on both comedy and romance, and the chemistry between Cathy DeBuono and her love interest is palpable and fun to watch unfold.

BEST LESBIAN/BI MOVIE CHARACTER

WINNER: Nina (Shelley Conn) in Nina's Heavenly Delights

As a Scottish woman who returns home to run her father's Indian restaurant and ends up falling in love, the star of Nina's Heavenly Delights is by turns conflicted, hesitant and confident. In other words: Nina's like a lot of women you know (but hotter). Her romance with a former classmate is balanced by scenes of her mastering the art of making a good curry, and both turn out well in the end.

RUNNER-UP: Risa (Cathy DeBuono) in Out at the Wedding

Out actress Cathy DeBuono sparkles as the lesbian pretending to play the girlfriend of a straight woman in Out at the Wedding. Risa's low-key confidence is extremely appealing, and DeBuono skillfully straddles the line between drama and comedy. By the time the movie is nearing its end, you find yourself more invested in Risa's happiness than the lead character's — and not just because Risa's gay.

WORST LESBIAN/BI MOVIE CHARACTER

WINNER: Grace (Gretchen Mol) in Puccini for Beginners

As Allegra's bisexual girlfriend in Puccini for Beginners, Grace is annoying, lacks depth, and is overacted by Mol — so much so that you're almost rooting for Allegra to dump her for the guy. Fortunately for us, Allegra takes a different route altogether.