Here Are Outfest 2021’s Must-Watch Films & Premieres

If you’re craving some great new gay entertainment, then good news: Outfest L.A 2021 is on the way with nearly 200 hand-picked films representing nearly every genre, and including voices and stories from the entire rainbow of the queer community. 

The nation’s leading LGBTQ+ festival will be held from August 13 to 22 and will return to in-person screenings this year. However, for those at-risk, or those who are outside of the Los Angeles area, Outfest also announced that nearly every film will be available for streaming as well. 

“We’re thrilled to be coming back in-person carefully and with intention to celebrate this amazing community, its stories, and its resiliency and spirit with so many incredible films and special events,” said Outfest Executive Director Damien S. Navarro. “Activating at some of our creators’ and audiences’ venue favorites like the DGA, Hollywood Forever, the Orpheum, and REDCAT in DTLA, we hope brings all the ‘feels’ everyone is ready for. We can’t wait for everyone to see the festival we have curated — I believe the slate of programming not only meets the moment but distinctly presents the work of some of the most talented contemporaries in queer cinema.” 

The festival kicks off with an outdoor gala at Cinespia at Hollywood Forever on August 13 with a screening of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and will feature in-person appearances from Max Harwood, Lauren Patel, and director Jonathan Butterell, as well as Bianca del Rio. 

The festival will wrap up at the iconic Orpheum Theatre on August 22 with a screening of Fanny: The Right to Rock — a film about the first female rock band to release an album with a major label — and will be followed by a live reunion performance by the band themselves. 

This year’s festival features seven world premieres, including “the latest creation from the legendary Charles Busch (Psycho Beach Party, Die, Mommie, Die!), The Sixth Reel; U.S. narrative and absurdist comedy, Homebody; Outfest alum Jeffrey Schwarz’s true story of Gloria Swanson’s quest to star in a Sunset Boulevard musical, Boulevard! A Hollywood Story; an investigative documentary on Ed Buck, Gemmel and Tim; Lyle Kash’s meta-critique on trans representation, Death and Bowling; a portrait of Los Angeles Latina transgender activist, Bamby Salcedo, La Queenciañera; and the Grindr-produced comedy series, Bridesman. Outfest L.A. will also showcase the international premiere Sediments that centers around six trans women in León for the weekend who explore the land, themselves, and each other,” according to the festival program.

“Centerpiece films will include Tribeca Film Festival prize-winner The Novice (US Centerpiece); a portrait of RuPaul’s Drag Race season one winner BeBe Zahara Benet spanning sixteen years, Being BeBe (Documentary Centerpiece), that will include a special live performance by BeBe; the world premiere of The Sixth Reel (Special Tribute Centerpiece) that will begin with a special memorial tribute to producer and Outfest alum Ash Christian; and Bo McGuire’s Southern drama Socks on Fire (Platinum Centerpiece).”

Not only will this year’s festival include in-person screening, but there are several special events including a tribute to Cloris Leachman to coincide with the screening of her final film role in Jump, Darling. There will also be a live performance by some of the talent from Invisible — a doc about the untold influence by Lesbian artists in the country music scenes — including Mary Gauthier, Jess Leary, Dianne Davidson, and other members of the cast. Festival-goers will also see a “live All-Male Revue show to accompany the documentary Baloney — about the popular gay male burlesque show in San Francisco — with Q&A moderated by RuPaul’s Drag Race star BenDeLaCreme; and a season 2 sneak peek and Q&A session with Abby McEnany, co-creator and star of Showtime’s comedy series Work in.”

“Outfest Los Angeles will also host its fifth annual Trans and Non-Binary Summit, feature Zackary Drucker and Our Lady J in live talks, a short film showcase, and a Season 2 sneak preview live read of Rain Valdez’s Emmy-nominated series Razor Tongue,” organizers said.

For more information and for a complete listing of films in the 2021 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival, visit OutfestLA2021.com.