The Outfest Fusion QTBIPOC Film Festival, sponsoredby IMDbPro and Hyundai, is back for its 19th year of celebrating films and creative projects brought to life by QTBIPOC creators.
The exciting opening gala will honor Sandra Oh and Stephanie Beatriz on April 8 at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in downtown Los Angeles.
Oh has gone above and beyond dedicating time to advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, and Outfest Fusion will commemorate her for this work on and off screen with the James Schamus Ally Award.
“Ms. Oh’s allyship is far-reaching, unwavering and all-encompassing, standing up for the countless individuals that continue to feel a sense of ‘othered’ in our society,” Damien S. Navarro, Outfest executive director, said. “She has been a true trailblazer and consistent advocate before and now throughout her career, and we are honored to call her a friend of Outfest for nearly two-decades.”
In addition, the Fusion Achievement Award will acknowledge Beatriz's commitment to bisexual visibility through LGBTQIA+ stories, arts and media coverage.
“Through her work in Encanto, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and In The Heights, Stephanie has brought bold, original and engaging characters to life on screen whilst also proudly standing up for our community as well as immigrant rights,” Navarro said. “As a queer, immigrant, woman-of-color that has openly embraced and discussed her bisexuality, she has profliterated an often misunderstood, missing or broadly stereotyped representation for what amounts to what may be one of the largest self-identified queer populations in the world. We are inspired and honored by her bravery.”
The remaining events of the festival full of eye-opening films, panels and workshops will last from April 8 to April 13 in-person, and will then transition to online from April 13 to April 17.
Seven feature films, 52 short films and three episodics including Black As U R, Keep the Cameras Rolling, White Frog, A Bronx Story, A Fire That Never Dies, Second Parent, Trutless and The House will be sure to grab your attention.
A one-minute movie contest with exceptional prizes, a how to make a movie on your smartphone workshop, how to craft the perfect pitch and many more events are open to the public throughout the ten day festival.
Outfest Fusion is committed to giving its audiences and storytellers the opportunity to showcase their work in order to launch their careers, build connections and generate empathy for their stories. You can buy your tickets now and help celebrate some exceptional work as well on their website.
See also: Morris Day and The Time Perform Together at the Habitat LA Builders Ball
Photography by: Emily Shur; Kevin Scalon
