The 40th annual Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival is scheduled to return as an in-person event celebrating LGBTQIA+ stories and voices in cinema.

Event producers revealed that the 11-day Los Angeles fest, which runs July 14-24, will open with the world premiere of actor, singer and author Billy Porter’s directorial debut, the romantic comedy “Anything’s Possible,” at The Orpheum Theatre on July 14. Porter will also be present at the event to receive the 2022 Outfest Annual Achievement Award.

“What better way to celebrate our 40th Outfest LA than to honor Billy Porter at our opening night with his incredible directorial debut alongside the hundreds of storytellers and artists who reflect the diversity of voices our community has been demanding to hear from,” Outfest executive director Damien S. Navarro said in a press release issued Thursday. “We’re excited for festival goers to discover just how far queer cinema and entertainment have come.  The body of work we have curated represents widely adventurous styles and genres — from vibrant and bold romantic comedies, road trips, and international dramas, to films that bring the scary and the sexy.”

There will be dozens of screenings and various Q&A sessions with the cast and crew throughout the fest. Some of the highlights include the 20th-anniversary screening of Todd Haynes’ “Far From Heaven,” followed by a Q&A with Haynes and star Julianne Moore; Director Daresha Kyi’s documentary “Mama Bears”; and the world premiere of “HeBGB TV,” a tribute to late night horror television that includes a screening and live-action immersive experience.

During the event, both director and author Clive Barker and musician and filmmaker Big Freedia will be presented with the Platinum Alchemy Maverick Award to acknowledge their artistry and social justice work through their filmmaking.

Outfest LA will close at The Theater at Ace Hotel on July 24 with the world premiere of John Logan’s directorial debut, “They/Them,” the queer slasher starring Kevin Bacon.

The full Outfest LA lineup will be revealed in the coming weeks. Fans can sign up for ticket on-sale information and other details at OutfestLA.org.

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