This year's fest kicks off Thursday evening, July 6 with a special gala screening of Puccini for Beginners at L.A.'s Orpheum Theatre. Starring Elizabeth Reaser, Gretchen Mol, Justin Kirk and Julianne Nicholson, the film is a sophisticated screwball comedy about a recently singled New York writer who, all of a sudden, finds herself in the midst of two different, albeit complicated, relationships.
Aside from a long list of films to be screened, this year's Outfest will also play host to a number of U.S. premieres, as well as a handful of special programs and panels, including: “Preserving Our Legacy,” during which leading archivists will discuss ways to preserve LGBT films; “Rappin' ‘bout Homo Hop,” where Blood Beats Vol. 1 author Ernest Hardy will moderate a discussion among selected panelists (including Phat Farm Records co-founder Dutchboy and Pick up the Mic director Alex Hinton) about how the fallout from the Down Low controversy affected the LGBT community; and “Video Fun House,” an event where several of today's successful gay and lesbian screenwriters – including Jane Anderson ( The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio ), John August ( Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ) and Angela Robinson ( Herbie: Fully Loaded ) – will share the piece of film that inspired them to do what they're doing.
To view a complete Outfest film and events guide, or for more information about purchasing tickets to screenings, parties and other special events, visit www.outfest.org.