FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Outfest Proudly Announces Its Return With a Four-Day Screening Event and LGBTQ+ Community Celebration named, OutfestNEXT, Presented by HBO MAX

Outfest is relaunching with returning key Outfest staffers to reaffirm the organization’s long-standing commitment to championing LGBTQ+ filmmakers and stories

 LOS ANGELES, September 30, 2025 – Outfest – the Los Angeles-based nonprofit that uplifts local, regional, national, and global LGBTQ+ storytellers in the entertainment industry– announced today the return of programming, the election of a new Board of Directors, and the rehiring of key staff members. These efforts will support the rebuilding of one of the LGBTQ+ community’s oldest and most important arts and advocacy organizations. Outfest is currently in the final planning stages for a four-day screening event November 6 – 9, OutfestNEXT, with new programming initiatives to be announced. 

“Outfest was born of the need for our LGBTQ+ community to have a place to safely gather and to support filmmakers who were telling authentic stories,” said Christopher Racster, Interim Executive Director of Outfest. Outfest is being reborn at a time when telling our stories has never been more important. We are re-emerging to ensure that our community is not being erased by those working to deny us equal and civil rights. We are proud and grateful to have our decades long partner HBO Max returning as Presenting Sponsor for the event. Now more than ever, our community needs to come together and our voices need to be heard.” 

Additionally, Outfest is thrilled to announce the rehiring of staff in the programming, development, communications, and operations departments. Outfest will continue to rehire other key roles as the organization hopes to relaunch additional signature programs in 2026, including Outfest Los Angeles, its celebrated LGBTQ+ Film Festival, and Outfest Fusion, its BIPOC focused film program. As part of the restaffing initiative, Outfest is collaborating closely with Queer Filmworkers United (QFU) union to ensure that Outfest team members are supported by the union’s guidance on creating a world-class work environment. 

“What an extraordinary moment for the queer and film communities in Los Angeles,”  said QFU’s Daniel Crooke.“We at Queer Filmworkers United — the former and current staff union of Outfest — are excited by the fresh approach taken by Christopher and the new Board of Directors in bringing our beloved organization back to life. We are greatly encouraged by their commitment to fostering a mutually respectful workplace, as demonstrated by their voluntary recognition of our union. We have been proud to work with them in the fourteen months leading up to this moment, and we look forward to continuing our work together in building a more just, equitable, and sustainable film culture.”.

“In addition to the rehiring of key staff members, Outfest has also elected a new Board of Directors, filling key board leadership roles with new, vibrant voices representing a cross-section of the arts and entertainment communities”, said Lucas Bailey, Outfest’s new President of the Board of Directors. “We are humbled to be standing on the shoulders of those who have spent four decades building Outfest. We are committed to rebuilding in the face of the current headwinds facing the arts, QTBIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. We are inspired by the knowledge that our community has overcome countless obstacles in the past by standing together.” 

As the organization restarts programs, reconnects with the creative community, and renews relationships with donors, volunteers and community partners, Outfest.org will provide updates on the return of the organization and its programs. Additionally, information will be shared in the months ahead on how to volunteer, donate, participate, and collaborate as corporate partners.  

ABOUT OUTFEST 

Founded by UCLA students in 1982, Outfest is the leading organization that promotes empathy and equality by creating, sharing and protecting LGBTQ+ stories on the screen. Outfest builds community by connecting diverse populations to discover, discuss and celebrate stories of LGBTQ+ lives. Over the past four decades, Outfest has showcased thousands of films from around the world to audiences of nearly a million, educated and mentored hundreds of emerging filmmakers and protected more than 47,000 LGBTQ+ films and videos in the UCLA Film and Television Archive. 

ABOUT HBO MAX

HBO Max is the premier global streaming platform from Warner Bros. Discovery that delivers the most unique and captivating stories, ranging from the highest quality in scripted programming, movies, documentaries, true crime, adult animation, and live sports and news (where available). HBO Max is the destination for prestigious entertainment brands such as HBO, Warner Bros., Max Originals, DC, Harry Potter, as well as iconic shows like “Friends” and “The Big Bang Theory,” all in one place.

For more information and for media inquiries, please reach out to pr@outfest.org 

‍