The 2017 Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival opens at the Orpheum Theatre with Samuel Goldwyn Films’ “God’s Own Country,” Francis Lee’s powerful directorial and screenwriting feature debut; and closes with IFC Film’s “Freak Show,” Trudie Styler’s feature directorial debut starring Abigail Breslin, AnnaSophia Robb, Laverne Cox, and Bette Midler. Additional gala screenings include: U.S. Centerpiece “Strangers” (Dir/Scr: Mia Lidofsky), International Centerpiece “Close Knit” (Dir/Scr: Naoko Ogigami), Documentary Centerpiece “KEVYN AUCOIN Beauty & the Beast In Me” (Dir: Lori Kaye), and Special Centerpiece “Behind the Curtain: Todrick Hall” (Dir: Katherine Fairfax Wright).
“Outfest began 35 years ago with a group of students desperate to find positive depictions of themselves on film; today Outfest is the launch pad for the storytellers that bring our stories to life on screen.” said Christopher Racster, Outfest Executive Director. “I am proud that this year’s program reflects just how far we have come as a movement, as a community and as storytellers. These films capture the true complexities of our lives, our loves, and our identities. But our advancements have only taken our community so far, and we are proud to champion this year’s filmmakers who capture the ongoing fight for our rights for freedom, for love, and for acceptance.”
