With the goal of amplifying queer and transgender stories through feature films, the annual Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival returns this summer with a lineup of more than 175 films representing over 25 countries.
“Not only do we create a safe space for the queer community to gather and celebrate one another, but the films that we play are a great empathy machine to really step into the shoes of people whose experiences you may not have considered before,” said Mike Dougherty, director of programming for the festival, which takes place at various locations on July 13-23.
The film festival is curated by Outfest, an organization that promotes equality by creating and sharing queer and transgender stories on the screen. The 11-day event is made up of feature narratives, documentaries, short films, episodic showcases and various other events.
“It really encompasses all of the work the organization does as a gathering place for queer people and their allies to experience all of this great work by the artist that we support,” Dougherty said.
This year the festival, which was founded in 1982, opens with “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” at the Orpheum Theater.
The film, which is produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is a coming of age romance featuring two queer Mexican-American boys and set in Texas. The story is based on the 2012 best-selling novel of the same title.
The festival closes at The Montalbán Theater with “Chasing Chasing Amy,” a documentary that looks at the legacy of Kevin Smith’s 1997 film “Chasing Amy” and the impact it had on LGBTQ+ people, including director Sav Rodgers.
Other highlights that Dougherty said shouldn’t be missed include the “Fancy Dance,” screening at the Directors Guild of America in West Hollywood on Saturday, July 15. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this year and focuses on a Native American family story.
“It’s kind of an aunt-niece buddy road movie that also has a suspenseful element,” he said.
Documentaries are always a powerful medium to tell stories and there are many poignant films in this category. One of the documentary standouts is “Truth Be Told,” which screens on Thursday, July 20 also at the Directors Guild of America.
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The feature documentary is directed by Emmy Award-winner Nneka Onuorah and looks at the relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and the Black church.
“It explores both people’s experiences within that church and people’s experiences creating their own safe spaces within their faith,” Dougherty said.
The documentary includes interviews with Billy Porter, Meagan Good and Cedric The Entertainer.
The festival’s documentary centerpiece is “Kokomo City,” which screens on Sunday, July 16 at the Directors Guild of America. The film won the Sundance Film Festival’s NEXT Innovator Award this year and tells the story of four Black trans sex workers.
“They are just unapologetically themselves on screen and the film was made as a refute to the notion that trans stories always have to be tragic and about heart and loss,” he said.
Besides screenings, the festival includes events like the 7th Annual Trans, Non-binary, and Intersex Summit on July 22. It will include a keynote speech and drag performance from Vico Ortiz who currently portrays non-binary pirate Jim on the HBO Max series Our “Flag Means Death.”
And there’s also a family day planned on the final day of the festival, Sunday, July 23, at Vidiots on Eagle Rock Boulevard that includes kid-friendly films, a drag queen story hour and The Bob Baker Marionette Theater’s all-ages Rainbow Variety Show.
Some films will also be available for virtual screening.
“I really hope people just walk away knowing what a depth of talent there is the the LGBTQ community when it comes to storytelling and how many variety of stories there are within our community, and how you can connect with them no matter what walk of life you come through,” Dougherty said.
Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival
When: Various times on July 13-23
Where: Various locations throughout Los Angeles
Tickets: $16 and up for in person events and $10 for virtual screenings; For more information, go to outfestla.org.