FESTIVAL OVERVIEW
15th Annual Outfest Achievement Award:
Director of Programming, Kim Yutani’s
Outfest is proud to welcome you to Outfest 2011!
Outfest 2011 features 164 films and videos from 25 countries in 7 different venues across Los Angeles (including new venue in Santa Monica, The Broad Stage) over 11 days. 91 separate public programs, 7 galas, 68 features, 13 short film programs and 14 panels and special events and countless parties and receptions!
On Thursday, July 7, Outfest 2011 launches with the presentation of the 15th Annual Outfest Achievement Award to Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato. Then the lights go down and Outfest 2011 swings into full cinema glory with the Los Angeles premiere of GUN HILL ROAD starring Esai Morales and newcomer, Harmony Santana. After the screening there is no better place to be than at our fabulous after-party in the hub of LA’s fashion district at the California Market Center.
The next ten days Outfest 2011 presents something for everyone with some of the best that GLBTQ independent cinema has to offer. Don’t miss out – order your tickets today!
In the Online Film Guide, festival programs are arranged in to these categories categories: Features (U.S. Dramatic Features, International Features & Documentary Features) Shorts, Panels and Special Events - among other sections.
15th Annual Outfest Achievement Award:
Fenton Bailey & Randy Barbato
About Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato
Few acts can balance mainstream popularity with cult status and maintain their independence, singular vision, and relevance – especially in the mood shifting LGBT landscape. For twenty years, Fenton Bailey’s and Randy Barbato’s World of Wonder global entertainment company has been producing ground breaking and landmark film, television, and web programming often reflecting lifestyles and subjects no one else is brave enough to approach. Their ambitious work has had a profound impact on LGBT audiences, and we’re proud to call them part of the Outfest family.
Emerging from the ‘80’s punk scene as disco-pop-rock duo The Fabulous Pop Tarts and NYU’s Graduate Film Program, the multi-media partnership between Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato morphed into World of Wonder in 1990. Their immediate success gave birth to an immense and diverse body of work including 1997’s “The Real Ellen Story,” the 1998 Outfest award-winning “shockumentary” PARTY MONSTER; the wildly popular documentary THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE that opened Outfest in 2000; and “101 Rent Boys” also in 2000.
In 2003, Randy and Fenton became the first filmmakers to twice open Outfest – this time with a scripted version of the “party monster” story (PARTY MONSTER). Over the years they have produced work for almost every US Cable Network, including six seasons of “Tori & Dean” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” now shooting its fourth season. They premiered their latest documentary film BECOMING CHAZ at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and in May the film was broadcast on OWN as the first film in the Oprah Winfrey Documentary Club. Randy and Fenton continue to expand their reach with everything from blogs to an art gallery and a coffee table book. WOW. Wow.
Few acts can balance mainstream popularity with cult status and maintain their independence, singular vision, and relevance – especially in the mood shifting LGBT landscape. For twenty years, Fenton Bailey’s and Randy Barbato’s World of Wonder global entertainment company has been producing ground breaking and landmark film, television, and web programming often reflecting lifestyles and subjects no one else is brave enough to approach. Their ambitious work has had a profound impact on LGBT audiences, and we’re proud to call them part of the Outfest family.
Emerging from the ‘80’s punk scene as disco-pop-rock duo The Fabulous Pop Tarts and NYU’s Graduate Film Program, the multi-media partnership between Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato morphed into World of Wonder in 1990. Their immediate success gave birth to an immense and diverse body of work including 1997’s “The Real Ellen Story,” the 1998 Outfest award-winning “shockumentary” PARTY MONSTER; the wildly popular documentary THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE that opened Outfest in 2000; and “101 Rent Boys” also in 2000.
In 2003, Randy and Fenton became the first filmmakers to twice open Outfest – this time with a scripted version of the “party monster” story (PARTY MONSTER). Over the years they have produced work for almost every US Cable Network, including six seasons of “Tori & Dean” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” now shooting its fourth season. They premiered their latest documentary film BECOMING CHAZ at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and in May the film was broadcast on OWN as the first film in the Oprah Winfrey Documentary Club. Randy and Fenton continue to expand their reach with everything from blogs to an art gallery and a coffee table book. WOW. Wow.
Director of Programming, Kim Yutani’s
Top 10 Tips for Outfest 2011
DOCS @ 5
Like a great story? The Outfest documentary lineup has plenty of them, and we have a special offer for you this year - five amazing documentaries at 5 p.m. for only $5 each in Sunset 5 (okay, one of them is in the DGA)…truly a bargain!
25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TEDDY AWARD Revisit - or see for the first time - classic films that won prestigious Teddy Awards, the influential queer film award given for the last quarter-century at the Berlin International Film Festival. We’re thrilled that Wieland Speck, one of the founders of the Teddy Award and director of the Panorama section at the festival, will be on hand to introduce the screenings.
CODEPENDENT? Well, so are the ladies in CODEPENDENT LESBIAN SPACE ALIEN SEEKS SAME. Written and directed by first-time feature filmmaker Madeleine Olnek (Outfest 2008 Grand Jury Award winner for Outstanding Short Film COUNTERTRANSFERENCE), this is one of the funniest movies of the year. A film for men, women and E.T.s alike.
PLATINUM It’s the 10th anniversary of Platinum, where film, art and performance meet. The debauchery of Platinum Oasis at the Coral Sands Motel from 2001 will forever be a part of Outfest lore, and we invite you to bring a little bit of your own style to our events at REDCAT and our special party to celebrate this milestone year.
DOLLY We love a little (or a lot of) Ms. Parton over here at Outfest, and we know you do too. Watch twin brothers pursue their idol in HOLLYWOOD TO DOLLYWOOD, and sing your heart out to THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS at the Ford Amphitheatre.
SHORTS They’re before features, they’re in programs and they’re stronger than ever this year. Treat yourself and discover new talent, exciting voices and people who have mastered the craft of short-film storytelling.
THREE BEWILDERED PEOPLE IN THE NIGHT Outfest and the Toronto International Film Festival joined forces to create an all-new digital remaster of the film that launched Gregg Araki’s career in 1987. Los Angeles looks a lot different than it did when he shot this (R.I.P. Ships), but the film holds its own even now.
MUSIC NON-STOP Check out HIT SO HARD about former Hole drummer Patty Schemel (followed by a live performance by her awesome new band, Psychic Friend) and gorgeous country star Chely Wright’s story WISH ME AWAY. Rikki Beadle Blair (FIT) has a brand new drama, BASHMENT, set in the British hip-hop scene, and Sheldon Larry brings us a fabulous L.A.-based musical, LEAVE IT ON THE FLOOR. And a real coup for us is a live performance at REDCAT by Genesis P-Orridge’s band Thee Majesty.
HARMONY SANTANA Remember this name because you’ll be seeing her in many more films in the future. She’s heartbreaking, tough, and beautiful in our opening-night gala film, GUN HILL ROAD (her first acting role) and one sassy and flirty mama in EATING OUT: DRAMA CAMP.
NOT TO BE MISSED! We love all the films in the festival, but we want to give you the inside track on a few films that might slip by you - ones that you won’t want to miss. Here goes: SHE MONKEYS; WE WERE HERE; OLD CATS; THE FAMILY COMPLETE; BOY CHEERLEADERS; HAPPY, HAPPY; THE WISE KIDS….
25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TEDDY AWARD Revisit - or see for the first time - classic films that won prestigious Teddy Awards, the influential queer film award given for the last quarter-century at the Berlin International Film Festival. We’re thrilled that Wieland Speck, one of the founders of the Teddy Award and director of the Panorama section at the festival, will be on hand to introduce the screenings.
CODEPENDENT? Well, so are the ladies in CODEPENDENT LESBIAN SPACE ALIEN SEEKS SAME. Written and directed by first-time feature filmmaker Madeleine Olnek (Outfest 2008 Grand Jury Award winner for Outstanding Short Film COUNTERTRANSFERENCE), this is one of the funniest movies of the year. A film for men, women and E.T.s alike.
PLATINUM It’s the 10th anniversary of Platinum, where film, art and performance meet. The debauchery of Platinum Oasis at the Coral Sands Motel from 2001 will forever be a part of Outfest lore, and we invite you to bring a little bit of your own style to our events at REDCAT and our special party to celebrate this milestone year.
DOLLY We love a little (or a lot of) Ms. Parton over here at Outfest, and we know you do too. Watch twin brothers pursue their idol in HOLLYWOOD TO DOLLYWOOD, and sing your heart out to THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS at the Ford Amphitheatre.
SHORTS They’re before features, they’re in programs and they’re stronger than ever this year. Treat yourself and discover new talent, exciting voices and people who have mastered the craft of short-film storytelling.
THREE BEWILDERED PEOPLE IN THE NIGHT Outfest and the Toronto International Film Festival joined forces to create an all-new digital remaster of the film that launched Gregg Araki’s career in 1987. Los Angeles looks a lot different than it did when he shot this (R.I.P. Ships), but the film holds its own even now.
MUSIC NON-STOP Check out HIT SO HARD about former Hole drummer Patty Schemel (followed by a live performance by her awesome new band, Psychic Friend) and gorgeous country star Chely Wright’s story WISH ME AWAY. Rikki Beadle Blair (FIT) has a brand new drama, BASHMENT, set in the British hip-hop scene, and Sheldon Larry brings us a fabulous L.A.-based musical, LEAVE IT ON THE FLOOR. And a real coup for us is a live performance at REDCAT by Genesis P-Orridge’s band Thee Majesty.
HARMONY SANTANA Remember this name because you’ll be seeing her in many more films in the future. She’s heartbreaking, tough, and beautiful in our opening-night gala film, GUN HILL ROAD (her first acting role) and one sassy and flirty mama in EATING OUT: DRAMA CAMP.
NOT TO BE MISSED! We love all the films in the festival, but we want to give you the inside track on a few films that might slip by you - ones that you won’t want to miss. Here goes: SHE MONKEYS; WE WERE HERE; OLD CATS; THE FAMILY COMPLETE; BOY CHEERLEADERS; HAPPY, HAPPY; THE WISE KIDS….