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Deets: Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit that uplifts local, regional, national, and global LGBTQ+ storytellers in the entertainment industry, announces the return of OutfestNEXT. The four-day screening series, sponsored by Delta Air Lines and Art & Rev,  will take place in Los Angeles at the LA LGBT Center’s Village at Ed Gould Plaza, from July 23–26, bringing filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals together to celebrate the breadth and creativity of contemporary and classic queer cinema.

Over its four-day run, OutfestNEXT will celebrate the diverse spectrum of experiences within the global queer community through a showcase of narrative and documentary features and short films in the Renberg Theatre and Outfest Microcinema. In addition to screening a special selection of films, which exude independence and creative ingenuity, the Outfest Microcinema will host a series of accessible filmmaker-forward workshops and panels throughout the weekend.

Patron saint of the unapologetic queer underground and Outfest Achievement Award winner Gregg Araki joins OutfestNEXT with his latest feature, I Want Your Sex. The leather-and-latex-laden fantasia stars Olivia Wilde, Cooper Hoffman, Chase Sui Wonders, Margaret Cho, and Charli XCX. 

The screening series will also include: 

• Sports drama Test starring Matthew Morrison, Brock Yurich, and Tammy Blanchard. Test follows a small-town Ohio bodybuilder who clashes with his devout mother while pursuing his dreams under a renowned coach and negotiating his long-held desires.

• The documentary Barbara Forever, an archive-driven exploration of the life, work, and legacy of iconic, pioneering lesbian filmmaker Barbara Hammer, a director near and dear to Outfest’s legacy. Directed by Brydie O’Connor, an Outfest alum whose short film Love, Barbara won the 2022 Grand Jury Prize for Outstanding Documentary Short, and executive produced by Kristen Stewart, this vital work of remembrance will receive its Los Angeles Premiere after debuting at Sundance earlier this year.

• The immensely moving, sex-positive Spanish film Maspalomas, which follows an out-and-proud man of a certain age who must leave his gay utopia in the Canary Islands for a more conservative nursing home against his wishes. 

• Rom-com Something You Should Know About Me starring EJ Marcus and Morgan Sullivan, a coming-of-age story which pulses with trans joy, executive produced by Lilly Wachowski.

• Comedy-drama Can’t Go Over It directed by Ethan Fuirst, starring Broadway’s Susannah Perkins and Tony nominee Taylor Trensch. This unique microbudget gem follows a pair of queer friends as they navigate the elements — and each other — while hiking and camping their way through the Adirondack Mountains; miraculously, the film was shot entirely on location by a crew that braved the wilderness alongside its characters.

Throughout the weekend, receptions will take place before and after select screenings in the Village Courtyard with complementary canned, craft cocktails provided by Art & Rev.

Hint for the Average Socialite: General tickets go on sale July 1 at 12PM.

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