I am about to set off to volunteer yet again at Outfest, LA’s gay and lesbian film festival. If you’re in the LA area, you can still buy tickets for some great shows.
Over the years, as a Theater Manager, in many ways the ears of the festival, I have heard criticism of the films selected and even about the very idea of a gay film festival, now with the mainstreaming of gay individuals (e.g., Ellen DeGeneres and Neil Patrick Harris) and gay themes and with gay movies regularly selected by other festivals.
I have also heard much praise–how people wish the festival were longer. Or that it took place in the winter as well as the summer.
There is a spirit this festival has. I have found it easier to be openly Republican at Outfest than in perhaps any other gay endeavor in which I have participated (save, of course, gathering of our blog readers and meetings of Log Cabin). Some people do rib me for my politics, but in a friendly manner. Most accept me for who I am. And I am not the only right-of-center Theater Manager. Nor the only Republican supporter of this festival.
Something seems to happen at Outfest. A number of people notice this every year. It is one of those few places where you can really feel a gay community. Others notice that as well. When some suggest that there is no longer the same “need” for a gay film festival as there was at the first Outfest thirty years ago, I remind them of the sense of community we feel when this particular festival begins — and how many gay people look forward every year to that Thursday in July when we gather downtown at the Orpheum to celebrate our stories on celluloid.
FROM THE COMMENTS: Neptune wonders “if this is a place where you feel more of a ‘community’ because everyone in attendance has an interest in film? In other words, because no matter your politics, you are all there due to something you have in common? To me, that would be a primary drive of that community feeling.” Good point.
Have a great time 🙂
Have a great time and let us know about any good films (I usually have to wait and hope Netflix picks them up since outside of the big releases not much gets shown in middle of nowhere NH).
I’m sorry I didn’t say hi. If you watched the film, I am sorry you had to hear the hissing.
I wonder if this is a place where you feel more of a “community” because everyone in attendance has an interest in film? In other words, because no matter your politics, you are all there due to something you have in common? To me, that would be a primary drive of that community feeling.
I’ve never made it to a G&L film fest, even though I get the emails about the Philly festival every year. Being out in the suburban hinterlands, it’s just too difficult with my work schedule to get into the city. Like Just Me above, I get them on Netflix later.
So according to this logic there shouldn’t be Jewish or French film festivals. Some things are done in protest -to raise awareness. Others simply because it is a celebration.
Did you pick up an Umami burger before or after the opening night?
Leah, no Umami burger, didn’t have time before — and had to rush off after to pick up my brother at the airport.
Is that a burger made with massive quantities of MSG?
I don’t understand this talk about no need for a gay film festival anymore. In my experience, there are few works of video entertainment that aren’t predicated in part on not upsetting or alienating straight men, and only a few more that don’t pander to them. A gay film festival is where one could hope to find the exceptions.
I’ve lived in San Francisco for decades and have never attended its gay film festival. Due to what Daniel’s written here, I’m thinking of trying it out.