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THE EMPATHY CAMPAIGN & FUND

The Outfest Empathy Campaign is a fundraising campaign that will support the immediate launch and expansion of three new critical programs in 2020 that will significantly expand our reach digitally, nationally and globally. 

Our goal is to increase our visibility and acceptance amongst our industry, whilst fostering a new community of allies and fans  by exponentially increasing the access to our stories, and by building new opportunities for a new generation of both domestic and international filmmakers to create those stories from every corner and color of the rainbow.

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Introducing our New Programs to be Funded by the Empathy Campaign

We believe that Outfest has something special that many across the planet have had yet to experience and discover – and that is some of the most unique events, programs and stories that we know provides attendees, viewers, our alumni and our partners undeniable, quantifiable positive impact in their lives and community. The impact we believe translates to Empathy, Unity and Fusion of Mindset. 

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OUTFEST CAMPUS

GOAL: To double the # of students, fellows and artists impacted by our Outfest Forward Programs by 2022.

An initiative to BUILD MORE OPPORTUNITY for LGBTQIA+ STORYTELLERS to enter the entertainment industry we must create even more pathways for those to participate in content creation, find capital and crew resources for their projects, and/or mentorship as they enter and climb the career ladder. OUTFEST FORWARD PROGRAMS will expand  to include below and above the line skills-based and professional development programs,  as well as labs and skills-based training for both in front of and behind the camera.

OUTFEST ON THE ROAD

GOAL: TO INCREASE ACCEPTANCE, EMPATHY and INCLUSIVITY amongst LGBTQIA+ and non-Queer Communities in rural and  Middle America cities in 2020 – 2022 by bringing the magic of Outfest to the world.

Outfest has developed a  3-day family friendly version of  our world-renowned film festival that we will be taking on the road into the furthest corners of rural and middle America.  Additionally  in every city, Outfest will be hosting mini-version of our Outfest Forward programs for attendees of all ages to engage in, including in our famous 1-minute film contest.

Pilot program is expected to reach 3-5 cities.

OUTFEST ALWAYS ON

GOAL: Leverage cutting-edge technology to increase the –production and VISIBILITY of QUEER Films and stories globally.

EXPAND LGBTQ+ VISIBILITY with OUTFEST ALWAYS ON where we will significantly increase the speed of content creation, deal-making and global distribution of Queer and LGBTQIA+ artist and filmmaker produced content by building a new resource-rich  FILMMAKER PORTAL,  launching a digital content  streaming- OUTFEST CHANNEL and alumni and LGBTQIA+ talent and crew OUTFEST DIRECTORY.

I am excited to announce the launch of the Outfest Empathy Campaign, an initiative to expand our programs across the United States in order to create even more pathways of opportunity, inclusion and visibility for our stories and storytellers. This builds on Outfest’s long belief that change comes when we finally ‘see’ one another

Damien S. Navarro

Executive Director, Outfest

OUTFEST ON THE ROAD

Outfest has developed a 3-day family-friendly version of our world-renowned film festival that we will be taking on the road into the furthest corners of rural and middle America. Additionally, in every city, Outfest will be hosting micro workshops of the Outfest Forward programs for attendees of all ages to engage in, including our popular 1-minute movie contest.

The pilot program is expected to reach 3-5 cities.

OUTFEST CAMPUS

In order to increase LGBTQIA+ diversity and influence in Entertainment, we must create more pathways for those to participate in content creation, find capital and crew resources for their projects, and/or mentorship as they enter and climb the career ladder. The Outfest Forward Programs will expand to include below and above the line skills-based and professional development programs, as well as labs and skills-based training for both in front of and behind the camera.

OUTFEST ALWAYS ON

Outfest will significantly increase the speed of content creation, deal-making and global distribution of
LGBTQIA+ content by building a new resource-rich FILMMAKER PORTAL, launching a digital content
streaming platform – THE OUTFEST CHANNEL, and an Outfest alumni and LGBTQIA+ talent and crew directory.

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