since 1982
For over 40 years, Outfest has championed LGBTQ+ storytellers and been a vibrant part of LA’s cultural landscape. In 2023, like many queer and entertainment organizations, we faced major financial challenges and paused programming to reset and rebuild.
Thanks to the incredible support of our community, funders, and a new Board, Outfest is returning in 2025—with screenings, artist development, and events that reflect the urgency and creativity of this moment.
Read our "Note to the Community" below and visit our “People & Practice” page to learn more—and thank you for standing with us. We can’t wait to see you soon!
Warmly,
Christopher Racster
Interim Executive Director
Keep in touch with Outfest
Latest News from Outfest
Announcements from the Outfest team including festivals, screenings, program submissions, and more!
Outfest Screenings and Events
Explore our exciting lineup of events celebrating LGBTQ+ cinema.
Through flashback and meta-narrative, DUINO breathes fresh life into a classic gay coming-of-age tale by exploring the passionate memories of a just-out-of-reach lover that audiences will find both tender and crowd pleasing.
This moving and timely documentary sets the stage for the investigation of the unsolved murder of Venus Xtravaganza, one of the iconic stars of Paris Is Burning, the legendary 1990 documentary about the ballroom scene of New York City.
Outfest Empowers Filmmakers
We’ve expanded from a once-a-year showcase into a year-round platform for education, mentorship, funding, and career acceleration—supporting creators at every level.
Festivals & Screenings
We bring the community together to share and experience the work of our best storytellers on the big screen through Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival, Fusion QTBIPOC Film Festival, and year-round screenings.
Artist Development
Outfest is investing in the full creative arc—from spark to screen. Through our Screenwriting Lab, new Producers Lab, and OutSet: The Young Filmmakers Project, the organization is building a pipeline-to-profession model that nurtures both the artistic voice and the business acumen needed to thrive.
Outfest UCLA Legacy Project
The Outfest UCLA Legacy Project is the only program in the world exclusively dedicated to preserving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender moving images at risk of becoming lost due to deterioration and neglect. Over the last decade we have established the largest publicly accessible collection of LGBTQ+ moving images anywhere in the world.
Our Impact Each Year
Artists Educated
Films Screened
Attendees
Mission
Because representation needs more than applause
Your support helps us create space for the community to come together and uplifts LGBTQ+ voices through film. Get involved today.
