From July 10 to 20, Outfest, the 32nd Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, presented films and videos from around the world, as well as numerous panels, special events, parties, and receptions in different venues around the city. As part of the Guild’s outreach efforts for independent filmmakers, the DGA served as both a screening venue and a sponsor and the Guild’s Los Angeles headquarters also served as the central nexus for the festival.
The DGA also hosted a luncheon on July 14 for filmmakers participating in the festival dedicated to showcasing, nurturing and preserving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film images and artistry. During the luncheon, DGA Director-member Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don’t Cry, Stop-Loss, Carrie) spoke to the assembled about the advantages to be found with membership in the DGA. The attendees also received tips about the festival from Outfest Executive Director Kirsten Schaffer and Programming Director KP Pepe, and more information about the Guild from DGA Associate Western Executive Director Jon Larson.
Outfest is the leading organization that promotes equality by creating, sharing and protecting LGBT stories on the screen. Over the past three decades, Outfest has showcased thousands of films from around the world to audiences of nearly a million, mentored hundreds of emerging filmmakers and protected more than 30,000 LGBT films and videos.