2021 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival (August 13 – 22, 2021)

By Oliver Carnay

The 39th edition of Outfest, the longest running LGBTQ film festival in Los Angeles is slated from August 13 through 22, 2021.  With 200 films from around the world, audiences have an option to watch them inside the theatre, via outdoor setting, and also right at their own home.  
 
Returning to the Directors Guild of America as the main hub of the festival, other venues include the Hollywood Forever Cemetery where the Opening Night film “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie,” will be held and hosted by Cinespia.  The Closing Night film will be held at the Orpheum Theatre with “Fanny: The Right to Rock,” a film about the first female rock band to release an album with a major label.   And as usual, the Platinum Series will screen at the REDCAT Theatre in downtown, Los Angeles.  There will be live performances with films at the Japanese American Community and Cultural Center where over 99% of the films can be seen in-person.
 
There will be seven world premieres including Charles Busch’s “The Sixth Reel,” which will give a memorial tribute to late producer and Outfest alum Ash Christian; Jeffrey Schwarz’s true story of Gloria Swanson’s quest to star in “Boulevard! A Hollywood Story”;  “Gemmel and Tim,” a documentary about disgraced politico Ed Buck and the drug-related deaths of two men in his West Hollywood apartment; a portrait of Los Angeles Latina transgender activist, Bamby Salcedo in “La Queenciañera”; the Grindr-produced comedy series, “Bridesman”; and Lyle Kash’s doc on trans representation of “Death and Bowling,”  Centerpiece films include the Tribeca Filmfest prize-winner “The Novice” and “Being BeBe,” a documentary about “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season one winner BeBe Zahara Benet.  
 
Become a member today to take advantage of an early member pre-sale window, along with free tickets and discounts on tickets.  Don’t miss ten days of world-class films, panels, and your choice of in-person experiences or online festival programming.  Go to www.OUTFESTLA2021.com or at www.outfest.org.