by Betsy Galchutt, Entertainment Reporter
What It Is
Outfest is a film festival featuring the very best of today’s LGBT independent cinema. This year, Outfest 2013 will showcase 157 films and videos from 28 countries in 7 different venues across Los Angeles over 11 days, running from July 11-21, 2013. Kicking off with Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize nominee “C.O.G.,” the film features the humorous and insightful writing of beloved American essayist David Sedaris and will premiere at Orpheum Theatre on July 11th.
Outfest will also honor director Kimberly Peirce (“Boys Don’t Cry,” “Stop-Loss,” and the upcoming “Carrie” remake) for her significant contributions to LGBT film and for her undeniable verve and ability to tell honest—often brutally so—stories of ordinary Americans being crushed under the weight of their extraordinary circumstances.
Outfest features films from a diverse range of genres, backgrounds, and talent.
For a full list of the festival’s offerings, check out the film guide here.
Tickets for Outfest 2013 can be purchased here.
For Your Consideration
Here at the Red Carpet Report, we get the awesome opportunity to preview new entertainment. Here are a few films showing in the documentary feature category at Outfest that we want to shine a light on.
“Two: The Story of Roman and Nyro”
“Two: The Story of Roman and Nyro,” directed by Heather Winters, is about the lives of twin sons born to Grammy Award winning songwriter Desmond Child and his lifelong partner Curtis Shaw. The film captures insight from the twin sons, surrogate mom Angela Whittaker, extended family and more. Blending family archive photos, and archive from Angela’s daily video diary, the result is a heartwarming story of family unity, parenthood and love. From pre-conception through the boys’ first 10 years, “Two” tells the story of these unique individuals whose lives become inextricably woven together in magical and unexpected ways. “Two” is testament to the universal power and ultimate triumph of love – that it is love that makes a family, affirming modern families may be modern in their making, but timelessly human at their core.
Screening
- Wednesday, July 15th – 7:15 p.m.
- Director’s Guild of America – 7920 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
- Website: www.twothedocumentary.com
“Before You Know It”
The subjects of the film “Before You Know It,” directed by PJ Raval, are no ordinary senior citizens. They are go-go booted bar-hoppers, love struck activists, troublemaking baton twirlers, late night Internet cruisers, seasoned renegades and bold adventurers. They are also among the estimated 2.4 million lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans over the age of 55 in the United States, many of whom face heightened levels of discrimination, neglect and exclusion. But “Before” is not a film about cold statistics and gloomy realities, it’s a film about generational trailblazers who have surmounted prejudice and defied expectation to form communities of strength, renewal and camaraderie – whether these communities be affable senior living facilities, lively activist enclaves or wacky queer bars brimming with glittered trinkets and colorful drag queens. “Before You Know It” focuses on the lives of three vibrant gay seniors, and reminds us that while LGBT elders face a specific set of issues, aging and its challenges are universal.
Before You Know It – Official Trailer from PJ Raval on Vimeo.
- Sunday, July 14th – 5:00 p.m.
- Harmony Gold Theater – 7655 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046
- Official website: www.beforeyouknowitfilm.com
“Facing Fear”
“Facing Fear” directed by Jason Cohen, retraces the haunting accounts of a hate crime: when a group of neo-Nazi Skinheads violently attached Matthew Boger when he was only 13 years old. Twenty-fve years after the attack, Matthew happens to connect with former neo-Nazi Skinead, Tim Zaal. They both realize that Tim was part of the group that attacked Matthew so many years ago. Self-doubt, anger and fear are just a few of the emotions they struggle through as they come to terms with their unimaginable situation.
“Facing Fear” Trailer from Jason Cohen Productions on Vimeo.
Screenings
- Saturday, July 13th– 11:30 a.m.
- Sunday, July 14th – 9:30 p.m.
- Both screenings take place at the Director’s Guild of America (theater 2) – 7920 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
- Official website: FacingFearMovie.com
Keep up-to-date with the latest festival news!
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- Twitter: https://twitter.com/outfest and show your pride at #outfest
