I must honestly say that this is the happiest film festival in Los Angeles. I should tell executive director, Kirsten Schaffer, to rename it, “The Happy film festival” from all the smiling faces of the packed audiences and participants.Everyone is in the happiest frame of mind to be there which translates into the real meaning of the word”Gay”. This year they hit the pinnacle of their success in my opinion.The opening night film “Vito” was the most perfect and touching film to pre...

The Film Independent Board Chairman Bill Condon announced that Senior Director Sean Mc Manus and Director of Artist Development Josh Welsh have been appointed to newly created positions of Co-Presidents. They succeed Executive Director Dawn Hudson, who departed in June to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences as CEO. In their new positions, Mc Manus and Welsh will work together to lead the organization and run its year-round programs that nurture independent filmmakers and ex...

WITHOUT (2011) is a haunting coming of age psychological drama about a young girl who becomes a caretaker to an old man who is practically a vegetable. In small town America almost in the middle of nowhere Joslyn has little to no internet signal and is cut off, ‘without’ any and all outside communication. She has to assimilate into this new life with her near-death patient and the provincial frustrated locals; further, she is dealing with the overwhelming loss of the love of her lif...

  WITHOUT (2011) is a haunting coming of age psychological drama about a young girl who becomes a caretaker to an old man who is practically a vegetable. In small town America almost in the middle of nowhere Joslyn has little to no internet signal and is cut off, ‘without’ any and all outside communication. She has to assimilate into this new life with her near-death patient and the provincial frustrated locals; further, she is dealing with the overwhelming loss of the love of her l...

Outfest, the world's leading organization dedicated to showcasing, protecting and nurturing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film imagery and artistry, has named Todd Heustess Executive Director. The announcement was made by Outfest Board of Directors Co-Presidents, Angela Courtin and Joe Lupariello. After a nationwide search, the Board of Directors selected Heustess and introduced him to Outfest stakeholders at last month’s annual Legacy Awards, which honored Academy Award®-winning pro...

OUTFEST, the world's leading organization dedicated to showcasing, protecting and nurturing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film imagery and artistry, will honor Academy Award®-winning producer Bruce Cohen and NBC Universal this month at the institution’s annual LEGACY AWARDS, it was announced today by Kirsten Schaffer, Interim Executive Director of Outfest The event serves as a fundraiser for the Outfest Legacy Project for LGBT Film Preservation, a collaboration between Outfest and t...

Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) media, held its 14th annual film competition awards ceremony on July 20 at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre. A total of 17 Outie Awards were distributed before the packed house of festival goers, celebrity guests and presenters, and Outfest 2008 filmmakers. The presentation of awards was followed by the Los Angeles premiere of Tom Gustaf...

Fresh, new American and International filmmakers highlight one of the world’s largest gay and lesbian film festivals this year as the 24th edition of Outfest will showcase a very strong year of lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender (LGBT) filmmaking at its finest and most diverse. Outfest 2006, July 6 – 17, will screen 207 high quality narrative and documentary shorts and features from 25 countries around the world and will host 45 rollicking parties, a Festival hallmark. This year’s Outfes...

Fresh, new American and International filmmakers highlight one of the world’s largest gay and lesbian film festivals this year as the 24th edition of Outfest will showcase a very strong year of lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender (LGBT) filmmaking at its finest and most diverse. Outfest 2006, July 6 – 17, will screen 207 high quality narrative and documentary shorts and features from 25 countries around the world and will host 45 rollicking parties, a Festival hallmark. This year’s Outfes...