As part of the Guild’s outreach efforts for independent filmmakers, the DGA served as both a screening venue and a sponsor of Outfest 2013: the 31st Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
DGA also hosted a luncheon on July 15 for filmmakers participating in the festival dedicated to showcasing, nurturing and preserving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film images and artistry. During the luncheon, DGA President Paris Barclay (Sons of Anarchy, Glee) spoke to the assembled about the advantages to be found with membership in the DGA. The attendees also received tips about the festival from Outfest Executive Director Kirsten Schaffer, Programming Director KP Pepe and Artistic Director Kim Yutani.
This year’s Outfest LA presented 155 films and videos from 28 countries, as well as panels, special events, parties, and receptions in several different venues around the city from July 12 to 22. The festival also presented the 17th Annual Outfest Achievement Award to DGA director-member Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don’t Cry, Stop-Loss, Carrie) for her work as one of the leading chroniclers of the LGBT experience.
In the three decades since its founding, Outfest has showcased over 5,500 films for over half a million people. Later this year, the festival plans to expand its work to the East Coast when they present NewFest in New York from September 6-11, in partnership with NewFest and the Film Society of Lincoln Center.