Pictured (clockwise from top left): And We Collide (short), Summertime (feature), How to Die Young in Manila (short), Caught (Caer) [feature]
Queer cinephiles rejoice! The official lineup for the 2021 Outfest Fusion QTBIPOC Film Festival has just been announced!
Featuring 10 feature films, 41 short films, and dozens of workshops and panels, this year's festivities will take place both virtually and through drive-in experiences in Los Angeles, giving LGBTQ+ film lovers the much-needed respite they've been craving after what was a wild year for everyone!
"Now in its 18th year, Outfest Fusion showcases the work of queer and trans filmmakers of color, providing the audiences and storytellers alike with the critical visibility that is needed to build careers, opportunities, and empathy for our stories," a press release for the event reads. "Beyond authentically connecting the industry and the public to so many of our community’s underrepresented artists, Outfest Fusion also provides educational workshops, masterclasses, networking events, and the renowned One-Minute Movie Contest."
Some titles from notable directors to look out for at this year's Outfest include Nathan Hale Williams' feature All Boys Aren’t Blue, Carlos Lopez Estrada's (of Blindspotting) feature Summertime, Maisie Richardson Sellers' short Sunday’s Child (executive produced by Greg Berlanti), and the world premiere of Fawzia Mirza’s short Noor & Layla.
"Outfest Fusion facilitates an environment where QTBIPOC people are able to learn, teach, showcase their talent, and feel validated, bridging the gap between the industry’s gatekeepers and so many marginalized people who are typically left out of the conversation," Damien S. Navarro, Outfest's executive director, said in a statement. "This is why we must continue to grow Outfest Fusion!"
Outfest Fusion QTBIPOC Film Festival starts April 16 and runs all the way through to April 20! Watch select trailers from the lineup below and check out the full slate of programming here!