A LETTER FROM OUR PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR

Whenever the Outfest programming team is crafting our film lineup for our summer festival, I always return to the same mantra: Outfest Los Angeles should primarily be a festival of discovery. We intentionally feature dozens of short films, features from all corners of the world, and independent labors of love so that filmmakers attempting to break through the noise of the industry have a world-class platform to be seen yes, seen by those who could help advance their careers to the next level, but also seen by you, the audience. We want you to discover your new favorite queer film, or an artist who speaks to you in an uber-specific way that you’ve never quite seen onscreen before. Personally, during the course of this year, I’ve seen and programmed what I think may be one of my all-time favorite comedies ever, I’ve seen a small indie family drama whose craft gave me a Proustian flashback to those ‘90s arthouse hits that first got me irreversibly hooked on cinema as a teenager, and my eyes became open to queer and trans experiences in the Philippines, Nigeria, South Korea.

Sure, there will be films on our roster incredible films that have famous faces, major festival pedigrees, and studio backing. And you should see them! But my eternal wish whenever presenting a festival so chock full of amazing work is that our audience will take the opportunity to explore outside of their comfort zone. Though I’m loath to ever allow the horrid assault on queer and trans rights in our country to be a guiding factor in how this festival should be experienced, I can’t help but think that one substantial way to combat such ignorance is to broaden our own horizons. Step into the shoes of a character who doesn’t resemble you, stay after and hear the filmmaker speak about what brought the story to life. There is no greater rush at a festival than discovery and then being able to talk about that discovery with your Outfest family!

MIKE DOUGHERTY Director of Programming