0 1For nearly two decades Outfest Fusion has been celebrating QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous and People of Color) filmmakers and stories, helping to amplify the community’s work as well as inspire future creators via workshops, panels and industry networking initiatives. This year’s event, which kicks off today, will be no exception, featuring full length films, an array of shorts and Outfest’s popular “One-Minute Movie Contest”– in which aspiring filmmakers use their cell phones or cameras to make a one-minute short film on a select topic, all for a chance to win a cash prize and a slot at Outfest’s gala in August.

The hybrid of digital and in person L.A. events this year also has two drive-in screenings in Exposition Park and a lot more. Make sure to catch promising titles including Nathan Hale Williams’ All Boys Aren’t Blue; Marion Hill’s Ma Belle, My Beauty; Mari Walker’s See You Then; and Carlos Lopez Estrada’s Summertime. The shorts program should be inspiring as well with Maisie Richardson Sellers’ Sunday’s Child; Whitney Skauge’s The Beauty President; Fawzia Mirza’s Noor & Layla; and Jas Pitt & Kate Stonehill’s Mother, to name a few.

In terms of panels, the Rising Stars roundtable should be a hot ticket.  Moderated by Out magazine Editor in Chief David Artavia, the free streamed chat will include Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), Shalita Grant (Search Party); Vico Ortiz (Vida) and Ian Alexander (Star Trek: Discovery) and Sherry Cola (Good Trouble).

There’s also an awards ceremony and for 2021, O.F. honors actor Michaela Coel (writer, director and star of HBO’s I May Destroy You) with its Fusion Achievement Award, which recognizes significant contributions to LGBTQIA+ entertainment and visibility. Academy Award nominee Andra Day will also be recognized with the James Schamus Ally Award, which spotlights allies to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Outfest Fusion kicks off tonight, Fri. April 16, with a live spoken word showcase, including performances by Summertime‘s Tyris Winter and Unapologetic‘s Bella Bahhs. It will run thru April 20. See the full week’s schedule of events and ticket info at https://outfest.org/fusion2021/

 

 

 

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