• Outfest 2009 dazzles with 87 separate public programs – 6 galas, 68 features, 10 short film programs and 13 panels and special events.

• On Thursday, July 9, Outfest launches with the presentation of the 13th Annual Outfest Achievement Award preceding the Opening Night Gala film LA MISSION starring Benjamin Bratt.

• On Monday July 13 the Legacy Project Gala proudly premiers the restoration of CHOOSING CHILDREN the third film to be fully restored as part of The Outfest Legacy Project for LGBT Film Preservation.

• Outfest 2009 includes over 40 parties and receptions - most of which are open to the general public or to festival badge and ticket holders.

In the Online Film Guide, festival programs are arranged in to these categories: Features (U.S. Dramatic Features, International Features & Documentary Features) Shorts, Panels and Special Events among other sections. Also check out our Digital Film Guide, for a digital look at this years printed Film Guide.

Director of Programming, Kim Yutani’s

Top 10 Tips for Navigating Outfest 2009

1. RECESSION-PROOF FILM SERIES Free = the price is right! These films celebrate the 40th anniversary of Stonewall, explore teen identity and provide an afternoon of fun for the little ones.

2. INTERNATIONAL DRAMATIC FEATURES Summer vacation on hold this year? Travel to locales in Hong Kong, Germany, England, Spain, Mexico and Norway in our slate of scintillating movies from around the globe.

3. PANELS AND SPECIAL EVENTS Want to know what filmmakers are doing in this political climate? The behind-the-scenes scoop on your new favorite TV show? Or what makes those minds behind the musical tick? Hear it firsthand from our talented guest list.

4. PLATINUM SECTION For a one-of-a-kind Outfest experience, check out exclusive performances, decadent parties and cutting-edge films curated by Kyle Stephan.

5. SCREENWRITING LAB READING Did you know that Outfest holds a Screenwriting Lab every June? Meet this year’s Lab fellows and get a taste of their scripts. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite actors and directors to stage scenes in this live reading.

6. DOCUMENTARIES From Candy Darling to Johnny Weir, from webcam twinks to silver fox activists, the inspiring and outstanding docs are some of our favorite films this year.

7. STRAND RELEASING 20th ANNIVERSARY FILM SERIES LGBT cinema would not be where it is today without pioneering, influential film distributor Strand Releasing. See some highlights from the Strand catalog from the last 20 years on the big screen.

8. SHORT FILM PROGRAMS Programmer Jon Korn and I have found some gems this year for our shorts programs that we can’t wait for you to see. Don’t forget to arrive early to your movies to make sure you don’t miss the shorts in front of features!

9. LEGACY PROJECT GALA Help preserve LGBT film history by buying a ticket to the unveiling of CHOOSING CHILDREN, the extraordinary film we (along with the UCLA Film and Television Archive) restored this year.

10. OUTDOOR SCREENINGS AT THE FORD The thrill of the drive-in theater is an experience of yesteryear, but our Ford screenings recreate some of that magic. Bring your friends, food, and a bottle of wine and enjoy a fun film under the stars in the Hollywood Hills!