Outfest LA 2023 Unveils Exciting Lineup and Honors Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone
Outfest, the renowned Los Angeles-based nonprofit supporting queer and trans creators in the entertainment industry, has announced the full lineup for its 41st Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Festival. Presented by Warner Bros. Discovery and Genesis Motor America, the festival will take place from July 13 to 23 in various venues across Los Angeles, with the headquarters situated at the Directors Guild of America in West Hollywood.
As part of the closing night festivities, Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone will receive the prestigious James Schamus Ally Award. This honor recognizes their efforts in fostering queer and trans-moving images and amplifying the stories of LGBTQ+ communities. McCarthy and Falcone are also executive producers of the documentary “Relighting Candles: The Tim Sullivan Story,” directed by Zeb Newman and Michiel Thomas, which will be featured at the festival. The film portrays the inspiring journey of a West Hollywood candle shop owner who employs unhoused and newly sober individuals.
With a program consisting of more than 170 titles from over 25 countries, Outfest promises a captivating 11-day experience. The lineup includes narratives, documentaries, shorts, and an episodic showcase. Noteworthy films featured at the festival include the world premiere of “Truth Be Told,” directed by Emmy Award-winner Nneka Onuorah, exploring the relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and the Black church, with interviews from Billy Porter, Meagan Good, Cedric The Entertainer, and more. Another highlight is “Acsexybility,” a documentary by Daniel Gonçalves that delves into the sexual lives and desires of people with disabilities.
Outfest will also host the seventh annual Trans, Nonbinary, and Intersex Summit on July 22nd. Rising star Vico Ortiz, known for their portrayal of non-binary pirate Jime on Max Original Series “Our Flag Means Death,” will deliver the keynote speech and drag performance. The summit will also feature a drag showcase with performances from Them Fatale Drag Kings and cast members of the hit show “The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula,” as well as one-minute films from TNBI filmmakers.
Outfest Los Angeles will be a celebration of diverse voices, with films making their Los Angeles premieres and notable works from festivals like Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca. The festival’s Platinum section will feature innovative Queer and Trans films, music, and performance, including Jennifer Reeder’s “Perpetrator” and filmmaker Harvey Rabbit’s “Captain Faggotron Saves the Universe.”
Tickets and passes to Outfest Los Angeles are now available at OutfestLA.org. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to experience groundbreaking LGBTQ+ cinema and support the queer and trans community in the entertainment industry.
Sources:
Outfest PR Release