Kirsten Schaffer has been appointed Director of Programming of OUTFEST, the largest film festival in Southern California and the largest arts and culture event for the gay and lesbian community in the region, it
was announced by Stephen Gutwillig, Executive Director.

In her new position, which is effective immediately, Schaffer will be responsible for ensuring that OUTFEST continues to program the newest and best gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered feature films,
documentaries and short film subjects for its annual film festival in July and throughout the year for OUTFEST Wednesdays, the world's only gay-themed weekly screening series. Schaffer replaces Shannon Kelley who, after six years at OUTFEST, is moving on to other projects, though he will maintain an ongoing relationship with the organization.

"Kirsten is charged with finding and delivering to OUTFEST the most wonderful, cinematic and absorbing films for the festival," said Gutwillig. "She has incredible worldwide contacts and resources, and we are very happy she has chosen OUTFEST as her new home."

For the past six years, Schaffer worked for the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, first as the Director of Programming and then as the Co-Executive Director. She served as Senior Programmer for both OUTFEST
2000 and OUTFEST 2002. Schaffer has also worked as a programmer for the Northwest International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and as a curator for the Olympia Film Festival and the One Reel Festival at Bumbershoot. She has a BA from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.