Outfest Returns with Star-Studded Queer Cinema Fest

Outfest will present its OutfestNEXT series for four days, from July 23-26, at the L.A. LGBT Center's Village at Ed Gould Plaza. The event will showcase a diverse range of queer cinema, including narrative and documentary features and shorts. A key highlight will be the Los Angeles premiere of "Barbara Forever," an executive-produced project by Kristen Stewart. Director Gregg Araki, an established figure in queer cinema and an Outfest Achievement Award winner, will also be featured with his film "I Want Your Sex."

The festival will also screen "Test," a sports drama, and "Maspalomas," a Spanish film about a gay man's relocation. Additionally, the coming-of-age story "Something You Should Know About Me," with Lilly Wachowski as executive producer, will be shown. "Can't Go Over It," a dramedy about two queer friends hiking, adds to the rich cinematic offerings. Filmmaker workshops and panels are scheduled in the Outfest Microcinema.

Outfest, founded in 1982, has a long history of supporting queer filmmakers. Tickets for the event will be available starting June 29 for members and July 1 for the general public via Outfest.org. The festival aims to celebrate queer and trans life through powerful storytelling and community engagement.