Outfest 2009 Sets Sights On LGBT Rights
by Peter Knegt (June 2, 2009)
A scene from John Greyson's "Fig Trees." Image courtesy of Outfest.
“At a time when the film industry is constantly shifting, Outfest once again proves to be ahead of the curve by pushing boundaries with a diverse, provocative and entertaining crop of new films,” said Kirsten Schaffer, Executive Director of Outfest, in regard to their 2009 programming. “In response to the passing of Proposition 8 in California and similar bans against gay marriage and adoption across the United States, we are proud to put a particular focus on LGBT rights and equality, and believe that this is a great time for the entire Los Angeles community - gay or straight - to come out and support one another during Outfest 2009.” With that, Outfest: The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival presents its programming for the 27th edition of the festival. The oldest continuously running film festival in Los Angeles, Outfest with feature 181 films from 25 countries over a ten-day event that will put focus on LGBT Rights in response to Prop 8. LGBT Rights-themed titles include a 40th Anniversary Screening of “Before Stonewall,” as well as “On These Shoulders We Stand,” “Patrik Age 1.5,” “City of Borders,” “Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement,” “Fish Out of Water,” “Misconceptions,” “Fig Trees,” and a 25th Anniversary Screening and Restoration World Premiere of “Choosing Children.” “Children,” one of the first movies about lesbian families, is documentary from Debra Chasnoff and Kim Klausner, and will be the fest’s Legacy Project Gala film. Chasnoff’s new film, “Straightlaced - How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up,” will also screen. Two Sundance alums will bookend the festival. Peter Bratt’s “La Mission,” starring Benjamin Bratt will serve as the festival’s Opening Night Gala, while Adam Salky’s “Dare,” written by David Brind, and starring Emmy Rossum, Alan Cumming and Zach Gilford, will close it. Other gala screenings include the drama “Mississippi Damned” as the U.S. Dramatic Centerpiece, the mystery thriller “El Nino Pez (The Fish Child)” as the International Dramatic Centerpiece, and “Fig Trees,” a “documentary opera” about AIDS activism by John Greyson, as the Platinum Centerpiece. “Outfest 2009 represents the broadest spectrum of LGBT stories, as told by an equally diverse group of filmmakers,” said Kimberly Yutani, Director of Programming for Outfest, in a statement. “Featuring a slate of films from first-time and established filmmakers, this year’s program truly represents the commitment of Outfest to challenge, entertain and bring our audiences a dynamic 11-day experience, starting with our opening night gala presentation of ‘La Mission’.” Additionally, the festival’s “4 in Focus” series will celebrates a quartet of feature film debuts: Nancy Kissam’s “Drool”, H.P. Mendoza’s “Fruit Fly”, Jason Bushman’s “Hollywood, je t’aime” and E.E. Cassidy’s “We Are The Mods”. Outfest runs July 9 to 19 in seven venues across Los Angeles. Below is a partial list of feature films in the festival’s lineup, for more information and for a complete listing of films in the Festival, please check out the festival’s website.
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