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Opening Night Gala: Vito

(USA, 2011, 93 mins)

• vitorussomovie.com/

On Outfest's 30th Anniversary there is no more fitting Opening Night film than Jeffrey Schwarz's stirring and poignant portrait of activist and film historian Vito Russo. Russo was a 24-year-old film student who experienced the Stonewall uprising and, as a result, saw the need to define queer identity and culture. His landmark book The Celluloid Closet explored the way Hollywood portrayed queer characters and shaped not only our perception of our own lives but also the world's perception of us.

VITO is one man's story of fighting passionately for equality, but at its core, it is the story of a movement. It follows Russo's dramatic journey through the early days of Gay Liberation Front marches with Bette Midler to the founding of ACT UP and GLAAD to his own devastating battle with AIDS. The film beautifully weaves significant archival material and heartwarming interviews with Russo's family and friends, including Armistead Maupin, Lily Tomlin, Bruce Vilanch and Larry Kramer.

Schwarz's powerful documentary, executive produced by Bryan Singer for HBO Films, is an intimate and inspiring testament to one of our movement's true heroes.

The 16the Annual Outfest Achievement Award will be presented to Waters prior to the Opening Night Gala screening of “Vito”.

Opening Night Gala After-Party

For this historic Outfest Opening Night Gala, we're moving the after-party back to its beloved outdoor venue! When the movies over , walk right outside to one of the hottest events of the year. Mingle under the spotlights, sample a variety of late-night snacks, enjoy a drink from Absolut, Barefoot Wine and Stella Artois, and dance the night away!

Opening Night Gala Produced by Zynger Event Designs

Opening Night Gala Ticket Info

$175 VIP Ticket Holder
VIP Pre-Party with open bar and hors d'oeuvres
Assigned seating in the orchestra or loge
Gala After-Party with open bar and silent auction

$85 Priority Ticket Holder
Seating in the side orchestra or front baclony
Gala After-Party with open bar and silent auction

$60 General Ticket Holder
Seating in the rear balcony
Gala After-Party with open bar and silent auction

For ticketing information please phone 213-480-7065 or email boxoffice@outfest.org