Opening Night: “HOWL” by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman
Closing Night: ”Spork” by J.B. Ghuman
5th Anniversary of Outfest Legacy Project
Celebrating 25 years of West Hollywood
LOS ANGELES, CA (June 2, 2010) – Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) images, has announced an original and diverse programming lineup for Outfest 2010: The 28th Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. The nation’s leading LGBT festival and the oldest film festival in the city will be held July 8 to 18.
In addition to the 147 films (60 features and 87 shorts) from 23 countries, Outfest hosts over a dozen panels and special events at several venues across Los Angeles, including Hollywood, West Hollywood and Downtown.
“This year’s incredible line-up celebrates all of the forward-thinking artists that push the boundaries for LGBT rights and equality,” says Kirsten Schaffer, Executive Director of Outfest. “From Allen Ginsberg’s quest for personal and artistic liberation to stories that challenge the status quo in the age of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and gay marriage bans, this inspiring collection of films is sure to impact both gay and straight audiences.”
The list of films and filmmakers involved with this year’s festival include the debut narrative feature from acclaimed documentarians Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman “HOWL” starring James Franco, Jon Hamm and David Strathairn, as the Opening Night Gala, and the feature debut of actor-turned-writer/director J.B. Ghuman, “Spork” as the Closing Night Gala.
Other gala screenings include: Cheryl Dunye’s hybrid thriller/documentary “The Owls” as the U.S. Dramatic Centerpiece and the feature debut from Outfest Screenwriting Lab fellow Javier Fuentes-León, “Undertow (Contracorriente)” as the International Dramatic Centerpiece.
“The Outfest 2010 program showcases the work of veteran filmmakers and first-timers whose voices and stories are vital to the LGBT community,” says Kim Yutani, Director of Programming of Outfest. Whether it’s brand new feature films, the stellar short film program or our retrospective screenings, these are some of the most exciting voices – from both the past and present – in what will certainly be a dynamic 11-days of Outfest.”
As previously announced, Jane Lynch will receive this year’s Outfest Achievement Award. Fellow Glee cast member Chris Colfer and director Paris Barclay will present the award to Lynch prior to the Opening Night Gala screening of “HOWL.”
Outfest will also once again celebrate the Opening Night Gala with its renowned After-Party which this year will take place at the most spectacular new nightclub in Los Angeles, Exchange LA.
Outfest is also celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Outfest Legacy Project for LGBT Film Preservation, a collaboration with the UCLA Film and Television Archive – the only program in the world dedicated to saving and protecting LGBT moving images. To celebrate this milestone, Outfest has asked 5 filmmakers, musicians and journalists to select and introduce a favorite film from the Legacy Collection. Selections include “Clueless,” “Hustler White,” “Mädchen in Uniform,” “Out of the Shadows/Sign of Protest” and “Macho Dancer.”
Furthermore, in honor of West Hollywood’s 25th anniversary as an incorporated city, Outfest is proud to present a series of films that focus on the city’s history and celebrate the community as a vital contributor to the arts. Titles include “The Broken Hearts Club,” “An Ordinary Couple,” “Is It Just Me?” and “Out of the Shadows.”
In its 4 in Focus series, Outfest celebrates a quartet of first-time feature film directors who have boldly established their careers with accomplished, independently-produced debut features. The selections this year include: Myriam Aziza’s “The Evening Dress (La Robe Du Soir),” Javier Fuentes-León’s “Undertow (Contracorriente),” Adriana Maggs’ “Grown Up Movie Star” and Jake Yuzna’s “Open.”
For more information and for a complete listing of films in the Festival, log on to www.Outfest.org or call 213-480-7065. Festival tickets go on sale on June 7 to Outfest members and on June 14 to the general public. Special ticket packages are also available.
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