This year’s Outfest promises to be a terrific one for lesbian and bisexual film fans. The festival which takes place in Los Angeles and has been going strong for 33 years, is showing not only films that have been generating a lot of buzz this season, but also many terrific smaller indie and short films that should definitely be on your list. We’ve compiled our own list of films you should not miss if you are planning to attend the festival which kicks off tonight.
By now you probably know the brave and bold story about how comic Tig Notaro came out about having cancer during a stand up show in 2012. This documentary follows Tig in her recovery, her rise to fame and her budding relationship with now fianceé Stephanie Allynne. The film will also be able on Netflix starting July 17th.
Thursday, July 9th, 8pm at the Orpheum.
This family dramedy starring Katherine Heigl and Alexis Bledel is making its world premiere at Outfest before it hits theaters and VOD. Heigl plays Jenny, a women who lives with her girlfriend, but has yet to come out to her family. When she finally does and begins to plan her wedding, tensions surface within her family. Will love conquer all? (Probably.)
Friday, July 10th, 7pm at DGA 1
This little gem of a film, starring Dianna Agron as a Sara, a young women stuck in a small town with few options, is at the top of my list of queer films this season. Agron nails the melancholy of this coming-of-age film, which is beautifully shot and directed. Sara’s romance with Paz de la Huerta‘s Pepper is intriguing and certainly pushes the norms of what we’ve become accustom to in lesbian/bisexual films.
Saturday, July 11th, 9:30pm at DGA 1.
Elsie is never without a backup plan. A serial monogamist, she quickly discards relationships when something better comes along, but this way of life is taking a toll on her heart. When she actually connects with someone she was quick to disregard, she finds herself in an unfamiliar position.
Saturday, July 11th, 1:30pm at DGA 1
This drama out of South Africa features the stories of a married queer couple, and their daughter and her new butch girlfriend. Dealing with issues of infidelity, classism, race and family, the film is a fascinating look into the lives of these very complex women.
Saturday, July 11th, 5pm at Redcat
Married couple Deb and Trish have it all…or do they? The spark of romance has been replaced by the everyday hustle and bustle of raising a family, and their marriage is starting to fray at the seams. When Deb becomes attracted to another mom at her childrens’ school, the drama really starts to unfold.
Sunday, July 12th, 3pm at Harmony Gold
This Aussie roadtrip film brings former lovers E and Trish together again, when E has to get the hell out of dodge or risk a run in with some nasty gangsters. E had long denied her relationship with Trish when they were together, but now that circumstances have changed, can this free-spirited DJ finally commit to her true love?
Sunday, July 12th, 12:30pm at Harmony Gold
Liz (played by out actress and model Patricia Velasquez) is a true player, but when she meets a young married woman named Eva while on vacation with friends, she’s thrown for a loop. Liz has a big secret which she’s reluctant to share but it ends up being something that draws Eva even closer to Liz.
Sunday, July 12th, 4:30pm at DGA 1
Something sinister is afoot in this new horror film making its world premiere at Outfest. Jo, who has always been intuit to the spirit world, finds that the home she shares with her girlfriend has becomes infested with evil when Jo’s father comes to stay with them, and Jo becomes desperate to rid their lives of this presence.
Sunday, July 12th, 7:15 pm at DGA 2
This relationship dramedy was largely improvised by its talented cast. Three young couples, including a lesbian couple dealing with a case of bed death, travel to a seaside cabin to reconnect. Processing, romance, fighting and clarity follow.
Tuesday, July 14th, 9:30pm at DGA 1
This documentary digs deeper into the con that shocked the internet, when a straight man posed as lesbian blogger Amina. The blog, “A Gay Girl in Damascus” chronicled Amina’s supposed experiences during the Arab Spring. Amina even carried on a relationship with a Canadian journalist named Sandra. Sandra is the focus of this documentary, which follows her as she tries to understand how this betrayal came about and finally get some closure.
Sunday, July 12th, 4pm at Redcat
Friday, July 17th, 5pm at DGA 2
If you are a fan of short films, then don’t miss these two collections of shorts featuring both domestic and internationally made short films. Love, sex, misunderstandings, clowns, all the things that make for great lesbian and bisexual drama. Suggested shorts: Ma/ddy by Devon Kirkpatrick, starring Mel Shimkovitz, Cass Bugge and Clea DuVall; Clown Service from Tig Notaro.
Girls Shorts
Friday, July 17th, 9:45pm at DGA 1
Sunday, July 19th, 12:15pm at DGA 2
Girls Gone Global
Friday, July 17th, 7:15pm at DGA 2
Sunday, July 19th, 9:30pm at DGA 2
But I’m a Cheerleader’s Natasha Lyonne and Jamie Babbit reunite in this much anticipated film about two sisters, Martha, a lesbian who works as a hotel maid, and her sex addicted sister Shannon. The siblings end up working together and are faced with an unfortunately situation with a hotel guest neither of them could have anticipated. Darkly funny, Addicted to Fresno will be one of the festival’s biggest draws.
Friday, July 17th, 7pm at DGA 1
Summer of Sangaile picked up an award for directing at Sundance this year, and it’s easy to see why. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Lithuania, young love blossoms between Sangaile and Auste. Sangaile dreams of piloting planes and it’s with Auste support that she takes to the skies.
Saturday, July 18th, 7pm at DGA 1
Here are some parties and events you should check out while at Outfest:
Thursday, July 9th
Opening Night Gala (VIP party starts at 6:30pm, Gala Screening at 8pm, then afterparty at 10:30pm)
Tickets for the gala start at $60 and go up to $175
Friday, July 10th
Jenny’s Wedding Post Screening Reception (8:30-11pm) DGA Atrium
Saturday, July 11th
Killer Film’s 20th Anniversary reception (6:30-8pm) DGA Atrium
Bare Screening Reception (7:30 – 9:30pm) DGA Atrium
Sunday, June 12th
In the Greyscale and Liz in September: Wolfe Video 30th Anniversary Reception (3-5:30pm) DGA Atrium
Friday, June 17th
All Girl Friday (7-11pm) DGA Atruim
For tickets to Outfest screenings, visit outfest.org
