July 7-17
DGA - Harmony Gold - REDCAT - Ford Amphitheatre
The 34th edition of Outfest, the Los Angeles premiere LGBT Film Festival, returns with a vast and diverse selection of highly acclaimed films from around the world. The festival showcases the best American and International LGBT feature films, documentaries, and shorts, followed by receptions at the atrium of the DGA and after-parties in West Hollywood.
THE INTERVENTION
Opening Night Gala
(USA, 2016, 90 min)
Directed by: Clea Duvall
Clea DuVall makes an assured directorial debut with THE INTERVENTION, a relationship comedy featuring a sharp-witted ensemble of thirty-something couples on a beautiful lakefront vacation -- with a hidden agenda. When the weekend's plot to intervene in Ruby's (Cobie Smulders) relationship goes awry, tension among the group runs high and riotous comedy ensues. Secrets are revealed, and as everyone lets go of their public façades and acknowledges their emotional baggage, the hilarity builds. The expert comic timing of this astonishingly talented cast keeps you laughing, even as its sly observations make you wince in recognition.
Reunited once again, DuVall and Natasha Lyonne (ADDICTED TO FRESNO, BUT I'M A CHEERLEADER) shine as a couple facing temptation in the form of an alluring queer stranger (Alia Shawkat). The spirited group also includes neurotic instigator Annie (Melanie Lynskey), who orchestrates the intervention, Matt (Jason Ritter), her put-upon boyfriend, and free-spirited drifter Jack (Ben Schwartz). We're thrilled to showcase acclaimed Outfest alum Clea Duvall in this award-winning, energetic Sundance favorite.
ESTEROS
International Centerpiece
(Argentina, Brazil, 2016, 83 min)
In Spanish with English subtitlesDirected by: Papu Curotto
Sexy and heartfelt, this US premiere explores a second chance at love. Childhood friends Matías and Jerónimo reunite in their hometown of Paso de los Libres, Argentina, on the banks of the Uruguay River. The summer before high school, the teens' close friendship transformed into something deeper, but their mutual attraction never came to fruition. More than a decade later they meet again, and the chemistry between them is palpable, but now Matías has a girlfriend who has traveled to his hometown for Carnival. Seeing his old friend, now so comfortable and confident in his skin, reawakens Matías' feelings. This unexpected opportunity forces Matías to reassess his choices and to figure out whether he can turn his back on marriage to a woman in favor of the man he's always loved. A powerful film that elicits feelings of nostalgia for our own adolescence and for the long-forgotten romances from our past, ESTEROS offers a satisfying glimpse into what might have been (and what might still be).
SPA NIGHT
U.S. Narrative Centerpiece
(USA, 2016, 93 min)
In English and Korean with English subtitles
Directed by: Andrew Ahn
Andrew Ahn perfectly captures a specific corner of the Korean-American experience with his directorial debut. This intimate portrait, striking for its keen observation and cultural accuracy, unfolds against the vibrant backdrop of Koreatown. SPA NIGHT follows David Cho, a Korean-American with first-generation Korean parents, as he goes to S.A.T. classes, helps out at his parents' restaurant, and is unsure about his future. When his family's restaurant is forced to close, David begins working at a spa, where he discovers the underground gay hook-up culture. As David struggles to explore his burgeoning sexuality, in a powerfully restrained performance by star Joe Seo, director Ahn taps into the ways that maturity and sacrifice go hand-in-hand. Poignant, reflective, and moving, SPA NIGHT explores the weight of familial obligation and suppressed emotions while also positioning director Andrew Ahn as a filmmaker to watch. Seo won Breakthrough Performance at the Sundance Film Festival; you don't want to miss his career-making turn as this multifaceted character.
KIKI
Documentary Centerpiece
(Sweden, USA, 2016, 94 min)
Directed by: Sara Jordenö
KING COBRA
Special Centerpiece
(USA, 2016, 91 min)
Directed by: Justin Kelly
Cast: James Franco, Molly Ringwald, Alicia Silverstone, Christian Slater
James Franco and writer-director Justin Kelly (I AM MICHAEL) return to Outfest Los Angeles with another sure-to-be-talked-about film based on true events. When a small-time porn producer discovers gay adult superstar Brent Corrigan (played by Disney Channel alum Garrett Clayton), two would-be competitors turn to violence as they fight over the future of his career. The all-star ensemble also includes Franco, Christian Slater, Keegan Allen, Molly Ringwald and Alicia Silverstone. Producers Scott Levenson and Jordan Yale Levine present this powerful ripped-from-the-headlines drama exploring real-life greed and obsession.
OTHER PEOPLE
Closing Night Gala
(USA, 2015, 97 min)
Directed by: Chris Kelly 
In Sundance Opening Night hit OTHER PEOPLE, Jesse Plemons ("Fargo," "Breaking Bad," "Friday Night Lights") plays a comedy writer who has just moved from NYC home to Sacramento to help care for his sick mother Joanne (Molly Shannon). Fresh off a split with his longtime boyfriend and stuck in a hometown that now feels completely foreign, David struggles to find any semblance of meaning in his circumstances. First-time writer- director and longtime "SNL" scribe Chris Kelly strikes a perfect balance between humor and pathos in this mostly autobiographical tale. His eye for detail mines big laughs from events that feel heartbreakingly real. Plemons nails his first leading role, and a never-better Shannon provides the film with unwavering warmth and humanity, as well as her trademark comic timing. A stellar supporting cast full of familiar faces, including Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing"), Zach Woods ("Silicon Valley"), and John Early (FORT TILDEN), does the rest of the dramatic -- and comedic -- heavy lifting. OTHER PEOPLE is a film that expertly blends the comic and the tragic by remaining achingly honest throughout.
BABY BUMP
International Narrative Feature
(Poland, 2015, 89 min)
In Polish, English with English subtitles
West Coast Premiere
Directed by: Kuba Czekaj
Mickey House is 11 years old and baffled by the changes in his body. His ears are getting bigger, and his mother remains a mystery; at least he's running a successful business at school, selling his urine to classmates for drug tests. Described as a wild collaboration between Walt Disney and David Lynch, this outrageous, hilarious Polish import wowed audiences at the Venice Biennale, where it received a Special Mention from the Queer Lion jury.
BEING 17 (Quand on a 17 ans)
International Narrative Feature
(France, 2016, 116 min)
In French with English subtitles
Directed by: André Techiné
Damien and Thomas, teenagers from very different upbringings, constantly butt heads at school. When Damien's mother invites Thomas to live with them, the boys are forced to coexist and work through the complicated feelings they have for each other. Renowned French director André Téchiné (WILD REEDS) -- working from a script he cowrote with Céline Sciamma (TOMBOY) -- crafts a touching study of two young men struggling to find their passions in a pivotal life moment.
BLUSH (Barash)
International Narrative Feature
(Israel, 2015, 84 min)
In Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles
Directed by: Michal Vinik
Naama has a difficult home life outside of Tel Aviv. Already searching for a salve for her problems, she falls fast and hard when she meets Hershko, an impossibly hip and street-savvy new girl at school. As their relationship progresses, Naama descends deeper into Hershko's intoxicating rabbit hole. A coming-of-age story in the spirit of BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR, BLUSH is an honest love letter to sexual and personal awakenings.
CLOSET MONSTER
International Narrative Feature
(Canada, 2015, 90 min)
Directed by: Stephen Dunn 
A coming-out story, Cronenberg-style, CLOSET MONSTER focuses on Oscar (Connor Jessup), who's struggling to find his place in the world after a rough childhood left wounds he's still grappling with. Oscar devotes most of his time to monster makeup and to his pet hamster, Buffy (voiced by Isabella Rossellini), until the day he meets a mysterious young man. Stephen Dunn's visually arresting debut feature explores the messy, often chaotic transition between adolescence and adulthood. Awarded the Jury Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival.
DEPARTURE
International Narrative Feature
(France, United Kingdom, 2015, 109 min)
In French and English with English subtitles
Directed by: Andrew Steggall
Elliot (Alex Lawther) and his emotionally restrained mother Beatrice (Juliet Stevenson) arrive at their French vacation cottage to prepare for its sale in this cinematic meditation on language, silence and secrets. Elliot identifies and explores his desire through the courtship and seduction of a local tough boy, while Beatrice confronts her failed marriage and takes the first, halting steps toward changing her life. DEPARTURE finds visual, verbal and aural means to express the indefinable -- and the results are divine.
FIRE SONG
International Narrative Feature
(Canada, 2015, 85 min)
Directed by: Adam Garnet Jones 
Fresh from its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, First Nations director Adam Garnet Jones' feature film debut introduces us to Shane, a Two-Spirited Anishinaabe. Shane lives in an aboriginal community in Northern Ontario with his mother Jackie, who is mired in the past. Conversely, Shane immerses himself in the future, planning his escape from the reservation. When his opportunity for college is put in jeopardy, Shane's decisions force him and those around him to confront the present.
GIRLS LOST (Pojkarna)
International Narrative Feature
Directed by: Alexandra-Therese Keining
(Sweden, 2015, 106 min)
In Swedish with English subtitlesDirected by: Alexandra-Therese Keining
What would happen if you discovered a way to temporarily change your gender? Three bullied teenage girls find out in this supernatural body-swap drama from Swedish filmmaker Alexandra-Therese Keining (KISS ME). The trio jump at the chance to explore freedoms they have never known, redefining gendered power dynamics and challenging the complexities of teen friendship and the definition of identity and sexuality. Wherever you fall on the LGBTQ spectrum, you need to see this wildly original adventure.
HE HATED PIGEONS
International Narrative Feature
(Canada, 2015, 80 min)
In Spanish with English subtitles
Directed by: Ingrid Veninger
Directed by: Ingrid Veninger
Compelled by the last memories of his boyfriend, a heartbroken Elias fulfills a promise to embark on the road trip they planned before his unexpected death. Against the striking backdrop of Chile, Elias travels from the Northern Atacama Desert through Patagonia, down to the "end of the world." Chance meetings with fellow travelers along the way gradually heal him, ultimately leading to a profound catharsis. A mesmerizing love letter to Chile, starring Pedro Fontaine and Cristobal Tapia Montt.
HOLDING THE MAN
International Narrative Feature
(Australia, 2015, 127 min)
Directed by: Neil Armfield 
Tim and John couldn't be more different (John's the captain of the football team, Tim's in the drama club), but these high-schoolers manage to build a relationship that will last through years of challenges in this poignant drama. Featuring achingly romantic lead performances by Ryan Corr and Greg Stott -- as well as supporting turns by Guy Pearce, Anthony LaPaglia, and Kerry Fox -- this award-winning Australian import proves that even an unlikely love can be an enduring one.
I PROMISE YOU ANARCHY (Te prometo anarquía)
International Narrative Feature
(Germany, Mexico, 2015, 88 min)
In Spanish with English subtitles
Directed by: Julio Hernandez Cordon
Miguel and Johnny like to skate, hang out, and have sex (whether or not Johnny's girlfriend is in the room). But when their scheme for easy money goes off the rails, the young lovers find themselves in way over their heads. Director Julio Hernández Cordón boldly combines stylish noir and gritty realism in this sexy tale of skate punks, blood trafficking, and romance in Mexico City. Outstanding performances by newcomers Diego Calva and Eduardo Martínez Peña.
LOVE (Yêu)
International Narrative Feature
(Vietnam, 2015, 105 min)
In Vietnamese with English subtitles
Directed by: Viet Max
Pop music sensations Chi Pu and Gil Le star in Vietnam's first mainstream LGBTQ film, directed by hip hop guru Viet Max. Nhi, the frontwoman of an all-girl band, and Tu are longtime friends, but lately their personal struggles have brought them much closer together. The girls are afraid to acknowledge their deepening relationship aloud at first, still grappling with feelings that they did not know they had. LOVE examines the relatable issues of familial obligation and societal disapproval, and Max's underlying message is a triumphant one: love wins.
THE NEST
International Narrative Feature
(Brazil, 2016, 115 min)
In Portuguese with English subtitlesDirected by: Filipe Matzembacher, Marcio Reolon
On leave from the military, handsome twenty-something soldier Bruno travels to Porto Alegre determined to find his estranged older brother Leo. What he finds instead is a vibrant queer community that happily embraces him, inviting him into their alt social scene. Through these unconventional new friends, Bruno discovers a new space where he is free to explore his sexuality. Away from home, he's found a new family and found himself, and his lost brother feels closer than ever.
PARIS 05:59: THEO + HUGO (Théo et Hugo dans le même bateau)
International Narrative Feature
(France, 2016, 97 min)
In French with English subtitles
Directed by: Olivier Ducastel, Jacques Martineau
SHORTBUS meets WEEKEND in this year's Audience Award winner at the Teddys, an erotic, dazzling, real-time drama from the directors of CÔTE D'AZUR. The titular characters meet at an underground Paris sex club and have a passionate first encounter. Afterwards, the two spend the rest of the early morning hours getting to know each other in ways that are both lyrical (bicycling through empty streets) and dramatic (waiting for HIV test results at a hospital) in this powerful love/lust story.
SUMMERTIME (La belle saison)
International Narrative Feature
(Belgium, France, 2015, 105 min)
In French with English subtitles
Directed by: Catherine Corsini
Set to the hazy beats of 1970s France, SUMMERTIME follows Delphine (Izïa Higelin), a young student in Paris who becomes involved in the fight for women's rights, equally enthralled by the cause and its alluring leader Carole (Cécile de France). When Delphine is forced to return home to the countryside, she finds herself at a crossroads. Veteran filmmaker Catherine Corsini deftly captures the essence of a burgeoning love with the veracity and spirit that defined the era.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING, HABIBI?
International Narrative Feature
(Germany, 2015, 80 min)
In German with English subtitlesDirected By: Tor Iben
Caught between the old world ideals of his conservative Turkish family and the boundless possibilities of contemporary Berlin, closeted twenty-something Ibo, an adrift college graduate, moonlights in a sex shop, gently fights the power, and stumbles into an unconventional relationship with a straight, white wrestler with a prison record. Tenderly exploring Ibo's search for connection, HABIBI dares to show its open heart, balancing the theme of societal intolerance with the redeeming powers of friendship, multicultural meatballs, and the pursuit of self-expression.
FORBIDDEN: Undocumented and Queer in Rural America
Documentary Feature
(USA, 2016, 90 min)
In English and Spanish with English subtitles
Directed by: Tiffany Rhynard
Directed by: Tiffany Rhynard
When Moises Serrano was a baby, his parents risked everything to flee Mexico in search of the American Dream. Growing up in the rural South as an undocumented gay man, forbidden to live and love in the country he calls home, Serrano sees only one option -- to fight for justice and equality. Driven by a deep love for his family, who have come to accept being treated as invisible, Moises seeks to change the world.
MAJOR!
Documentary Features
(USA, 2015, 91 min)
Los Angeles Premiere
Directed by: Annalise Ophelian
In this inspiring documentary, Miss Major Griffin Gracy's revolutionary life secures the legacy of black trans women as resilient activists, leaders, and survivalists, anchoring their communities against the rampant transphobia that trans women of color face daily. Filmmaker Annalise Ophelian channels this transformative biography into a powerful film that highlights the impact one woman and her interwoven communities have had on the foundation and growth of advocacy for trans rights and liberation.
SOUTHWEST OF SALEM: The Story of the San Antonio Four
Documentary Feature
(USA, 2016, 90 min)
Southern California Premiere
Directed by: Deborah S. Esquenazi
Witch hunts aren't confined to the 17th century, as four falsely charged lesbians in late-90s Texas discover. Accused of child molestation and Satanism by a jealous ex, the "San Antonio Four" are quickly tried by a homophobic jury and sentenced by a disinterested court. Director Deborah S. Esquenazi uses her prodigious talent to build a strong case for their innocence and an even stronger argument for their exoneration in this gripping true-crime doc, as compelling as "Making a Murderer."
STRIKE A POSE
Documentary Feature
(Belgium, Netherlands, 2016, 83 min)
Directed by: Ester Gould, Reijer Zwaan
Madonna's 1990 Blonde Ambition tour had more backstage stories than TRUTH OR DARE could fit, and now her backup dancers (six gay, one straight) take center stage to share their own experiences. A quarter-century later, they look back on how the experience changed their lives: From wild tales of the road to finding the courage to be out and proud during the first Bush era, these performers have seen it all, and now they're telling all.
UNCLE GLORIA: One Helluva Ride!
Special Events
(USA, 2016, 76 min)
Directed by: Robyn Symon 
A new twist on transgender life, UNCLE GLORIA is a darkly funny film, full of drama and family fireworks. The macho owner of an auto-wrecking company in Florida goes into hiding from the law as a woman, setting off an unexpected journey of self-discovery. Undergoing a risky sex-change operation, Gloria becomes a dominatrix and a transgender activist and finds gender-bending love, all while trying to reconcile with her dysfunctional family.
UNCLE HOWARD
Documentary Feature
(United Kingdom, USA, 2016, 96 min)
Directed by: Aaron Brookner
Aaron Brookner's tribute to his late uncle Howard Brookner, an acclaimed director who lost his life to AIDS in 1989, brims with affection for both his talented relative and a bygone era of New York City. Archival and interview footage, featuring artists from Jim Jarmusch and Andy Warhol to Laurie Anderson and Madonna, chronicles Aaron's search for the lost negative of his uncle's film BURROUGHS: THE MOVIE (also screening at Outfest Los Angeles) while Aaron finds purpose in celebrating a man who died far too young.
WEEKENDS
Documentary Feature
(South Korea, 2016, 98 min)
In Korean with English subtitles
North America Premiere
Directed by: Lee Dong-ha
"G-voice" is Korea's first, and only, amateur gay men's chorus. On the eve of their 10th anniversary concert, they are invited to perform at Korea's first gay wedding, making them the pitch-perfect voice of a growing LGBTQ rights movement. Dong-ha Lee's glossy, confident direction gives each of his subjects a fierce individuality. Even in the face of vitriolic discrimination, these young singers are determined to stand and proudly assert their rights as gay men.
WOMEN HE'S UNDRESSED
Documentary Feature
(Australia, 2015, 95 min)
Directed by: Gillian Armstrong 
You might not know the name Orry-Kelly, but you know the Oscar-winning costume designer's work, from Rosalind Russell's ensembles in AUNTIE MAME to the dresses he made for Marilyn Monroe and for Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis in SOME LIKE IT HOT. Legendary Australian filmmaker Gillian Armstrong (MY BRILLIANT CAREER) mixes recreations of Orry-Kelly's life (including an affair with young Cary Grant) with testimonies from peers and admirers to create an unforgettable portrait of one of Hollywood's grand godfathers of glamour.
For a complete list of films and screening schedule please visit: OUTFEST 2016
DADDY'S BOY
U.S. Narrative Feature
(USA, 2015, 78 min)
Directed by: Daniel Armando
Four young men from different backgrounds living in the big city explore their own daddy issues as they shed their inhibitions and clothes during softcore porn shoots to make money. This black-and-white exploratory film is a queer neo-noir, exposing the complexities of male identity and sexuality through its characters, as they question the responsibilities of adulthood while leaving behind their boyhoods.
FRONT COVER
U.S. Narrative Feature
(USA, 2015, 87 min)
Directed by: Ray Yeung 
Ryan is a stylist for the hottest fashion magazine in Manhattan -- and he's damn good at it. He's also Chinese-American, but that's something he doesn't like to advertise. To advance his career, he begrudgingly agrees to dress China's hottest movie star, the brash and high-maintenance Ning. They clash instantly, but soon both men find their ideas about identity challenged, as their developing friendship blossoms into something more complicated. Can love survive the personas they've created for themselves?
LAZY EYE
U.S. Narrative Feature
(USA, 2015, 86 min)
Directed by: Tim Kirkman
When Dean unexpectedly hears from his ex-boyfriend Alex for the first time in 20 years, they flee to Joshua Tree for a romantic weekend of whirlwind perspective shifts, nonstop conversation, and second chances. Sunkissed and exposed, their past, present, and future choices collide in LAZY EYE, a naturalistic love story with no easy answers. Outfest alum Tim Kirkman (LOGGERHEADS, DEAR JESSE) revels in these moments, exploring transcendent truths about relationships and reconciliation against an epic desert backdrop.
MILES
U.S. Narrative Features
(USA, 2016, 90 min)
Los Angeles Premiere
Directed by: Nathan Adloff
It's 1999, and high-school senior Miles is desperate to go to college far from his rural town in Illinois. An athletic scholarship seems like the obvious solution, but Miles' sport of choice is volleyball -- which, at his school, is strictly for girls. Featuring a deep bench of comedy vets (including Molly Shannon, Missi Pyle, and Paul Reiser), this charmingly sweet, family-friendly comedy reminds us that gender rebellion can take many forms.
PUSHING DEAD
U.S. Narrative Feature
(USA, 2016, 110 min)
Directed by: Tom E. Brown
PUSHING DEAD uses its impeccable comic timing to burst preconceptions of how to approach HIV on the big screen. Positive for 22 years, Dan accidentally prices out of his health insurance plan after cashing a birthday check. Now he is left scrambling to access his medication. Writer-director Tom E. Brown paints drolly honest images packed with idiosyncratic charm. James Roday, Robin Weigert, Danny Glover, and Khandi Alexander gracefully bring this community of resilient recovery to life.
WOMEN WHO KILL
U.S. Narrative Feature
(USA, 2016, 93 min)
Directed by: Ingrid Jungermann
As true-crime podcasters obsessed with the secrets of female serial killers, ex-girlfriends Morgan and Jean know that mystery keeps relationships alive. But as their macabre musings become popular around Brooklyn, shady femme fatale Simone (Sheila Vand) may just rip them apart. With a lethal dose of wry wit in the vein of vintage Woody Allen, debut director-writer-star Ingrid Jungermann (F TO 7TH) acerbically sharpens the dull edges of urban complacency into a dark comedy of manners. Winner of Tribeca's Best Screenplay Award.
For a complete list of films and screening schedule please visit: OUTFEST 2016
