An offshoot of Outfest, Outfest Fusion showcases and empowers LGBTQ people of color in film, music and art, showcasing their work, supporting their expression and mobilizing them via educational forums and inspiring screenings. Fusion aims to spotlight and nurture the next generation of storytellers and recognize them as cultural ambassadors, and this weekend is chock full of events that spotlight this powerful and beautiful community.

Friday, March 6: Fusion’s kickoff starts with the Outfest Fusion 2020 Visionary Awards, then a screening featuring short films by emerging artists, all embracing intersectionality and queer themes including Sexpert Advice, Bubble, Darling, Killer Workout, Buck, and Spilt Milk. Music, dancing, and an open bar after party concludes the festivities.

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Selections from “Our Friends & Lovers” Fusion shorts program. (Courtesy Outfest Fusion)

Saturday, March 7: workshops include “The LGBTQIAs of Acting,” “Making a Movie With Your Smartphone,” “Building an Authentic Online Brand,” a panel discussion called “Making a Lasting Mark in the Entertainment Industry” and a special BET’s event featuring Lena Waithe’s Twenties series premiere and panel.

Screenings will include Lingua Franca (about an undocumented trans woman finding her place in New York), a family friendly feature called We Are The Radical Monarchs (about a scouting troop of young girls of color and their activism), El Principle (about a brutal Chilean prison), I Am the Other One (about the trans experience in Brazil) and shorts series’ including “Our Friends and Lovers” (films pictured) examining the complexities of queer relationships.

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Selections from “The Art of Self Expression” Fusion shorts program. (Courtesy Outfest Fusion)

Sunday, March 8: A “Crafting a Pitch that Sells” workshop and a “Writers on Writing” round-table will take place, while Fusion’s Shorts series’ include Beyond Borders, spotlighting stories centered around first and second-generation immigrants, and “The Art of Self-Expression” (pictured) examining voices of marginalized communities. Feature films include Welcome to the USA, Yeh Freedom Life, Driveways, Breaking Fast.

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(Courtesy Outfest Fusion)

Monday, March 9: Plaza de la Raza hosts a celebration of “queer Latinx/Afro Latinx” culture, with a screening of 2012’s Mosquita y Mari and a panel faturing Aurora Guerrero and the
Working-class Latin families are then explored in a “Latinxcellence” shorts program.
3540 N Mission Rd. L.A.

Tuesday, March 10: After a week full of presentations and activities (see website for schedule), Fusion concludes with closing night festivities featuring  “One Minute Movie Premieres” (inviting the public to submit films made via their phones), as well as live music, performance, food and drink. Reflecting the inclusiveness and talent seen all week during the event, Fusion’s final fete promises to be one of L.A.’s most diverse film events of the year. Los Angeles Theatre, 615 S Broadway, downtown.
           
More about Outfest Fusion’s programs go to outfest.org/fusion2020/.

 

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