The Oscars are one thing, but Los Angeles' real must-attend film event is Outfest, an 11-day festival featuring LGBT films from around the world. Take in films from up-and-coming filmmakers while sipping cocktails and mingling with writers, directors, and stars at the Directors Guild of America. We combed through this year's guide to give you a run-down on all of the best Outfest has to offer for queer women. You may not be in Los Angeles, but any of these films could be playing at a festival or theater near you soon.
Opening Night Gala - July 9
TIG - 8 p.m. at the Orpheum
The festival kicks off with Kristina Goolsby and Ashley York’s chronicle of out comic Tig Notaro’s rise to stardom after her infamous 2012 stand-up set during which she announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The documentary follows Notaro’s journey battling cancer with wry wit at the same time she meets and falls for actress Stephanie Allynne.
July 10
Jenny's Wedding, 7 p.m. at the Directors Guild of America (DGA)
Rom-com star Katherine Heigl plays Jenny, who works up the courage to propose to her girlfriend, played by Gilmore Girls’ Alexis Bledel. Their bliss in planning their wedding is soon thrown into upheaval when Jenny faces fierce conservative opposition from her parents (Linda Emond and Tom Wilkinson) over the idea of same-sex marriage. The always-welcome Grace Gummer stars as Jenny’s sister, who helps to move the needle for their parents on this timely topic. Beaches’ screenwriter Mary Agnes Donoghue wrote the scrip and directed.
July 11th
Portrait of a Serial Monogamist, 1:30 p.m. at the Director's Guild of America (DGA)
From Canada comes Christina Zeidler and John Mitchell’s film about Elsie (Diane Flacks) a fun-loving female commitment-phobe. As with all good movies about those who fear commitment, Elsie is caught unawares by one lucky lady who stands to threaten her singlehood.
While You Weren't Looking, 5 p.m. at the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT)
Directors Catherine Stewart and Vanessa Herman deliver this thoughtful film from South Africa, about Dez and Terri, a mixed-race lesbian couple raising a teen daughter who falls for a woman of a different race. Through their daughter’s experience Dez and Terri face their own limits of acceptance and hypocrisy.
Bare, 9:30 p.m. at the Director's Guild of America (DGA)
Glee’s Dianna Agron has definitely graduated from high school in this role as a small town girl drawn in to a world of stripping, drugs, and more when a drifter comes to town (Boardwalk Empire’s Paz de la Huerta). The film from first-time feature director Natalia Leite is fresh off its Tribeca world premiere.
July 12th
All About E, 12:30 p.m. at Harmony Gold
E, a smoking hot DJ, appears to fear nothing, except maybe coming out. From Australia comes this adventure of a film with an anarchic attitude in which E passes off her girlfriend Trish as a roommate to her Lebanese parents. Meanwhile, E sells out her dream of becoming a professional musician by doing business with a a dangerous nightclub owner. Outfest Screenwriting Lab fellow Louise Wadley wrote and directed.
Born in Flames 2 p.m. at the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT)
Outfest’s Legacy Project delivers this rare screening of avant garde badass director Lizzie Borden’s 1983 futuristic feminist tale of revolution. Women reclaim power from the patriarchy amidst a socialist movement after a black militant feminist leader is assassinated in prison.
Stuff 3 p.m. at the Harmony Gold Theater
Tensions run high for married couple Trish and Deb (Karen Sillas and Yvonne Jung) when Trish is overcome with grief for her father at the same time the enigmatic Jamie (Traci Dinwiddie) comes into Deb’s life. The film from Suzanne Guacci investigates the tribulations of keeping a marriage together despite the curve balls life throws.
Liz in September 4 p.m. at the Director's Guild of America (DGA)
Out actress Patricia Velasquez (The L Word, The Mummy) stars in this film from Venezuelan filmmaker Fina Torres adapted from Jane Chambers’ play Last Summer at Bluefish Cove. Velasquez stars as Liz, a strong-willed woman with health issues who falls for a woman named Eva during a Caribbean vacation. Their intense romance brings out secrets from their past.
A Gay Girl in Damascus: The Amina Profile 4 p.m. at the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT)
A smash at Sundance, Sophie Deraspe’s documentary chronicles the romance between Sandra, a Montreal-based journalist, and Amina (the titular Gay Girl in Damascus), who became a voice for the marginalized in Syria during the Arab Spring. The film follows Sandra to Istanbul, Tel Aviv, and Chicago as she seeks to discover the mystery of the “gay girl from Damascus.”
The Royal Road 6 p.m. at the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT)
Director/writer and queer film historian Jenni Olson's filmic essay is an ode to California, classical hollywood cinema, unavailable women, and butch identity. A voiceover complements 16mm photos of urban California. Breathtaking and unforgettable, the film had its debut at Sundance.
July 17th
Fresno 7 p.m. at the Director's Guild of America (DGA)
But I'm a Cheerleader's director Jamie Babbit and star Natasha Lyonne reteam for this dark comedy in which Judy Greer plays a sex addict fresh out of rehab who joins her sister (Lyonne) as a hotel housekeeper. Hotel high jinks will be had. Parks and Recreation's Aubrey Plaza costars.
Girls' Shorts 8:45 p.m. at the Director's Guild of America (DGA)
One of Outfest's most popular programs, Girls' Shorts features films from Tig Notaro, Nora Meek, Angel Kristi Williams, Ryan Logan, Yasmin Almanaseer, Devon Kirkpatrick, and Jane Baker. Watch closely, these could be the next big feature film directors.
S&M Sally (9:30 p.m.) at the DGA
Butch Jamie and Heterosexual Jill writer, director, and star Michelle Ehlen is back as Jamie. This time Jamie explores S&M with her girlfriend (Jen McPherson) in a comedy that also features Jamie's best guy friend trying his hand at polyamory. Shenanigans ensue.
July 18th
The Summer of Sangaile (7:00 p.m.) at the Director's Guild of America (DGA)
Director Alanté Kavaïté's stunning film won the World Cinema Directing Award at Sundance for this story of young love set in Lithuania. Quiet and reserved Sangaile dreams of flying a stunt plane near her hometown, but only conceives of her dream as a reality with the help of her more outgoing love Auste.
Girls Gone Global (9:30 p.m.) at the Director's Guild of America (DGA)
A must-see program, Girls Gone Global features shorts from around the world. This batch of films investigates break-ups, one-night stands, and a threeway that doesn't quite work out right.
