Outfest’s 2018 Outfest Fusion LGBTQ People of Color Film Festival kicks off with a gala on March 9 at the Egyptian Theatre featuring a special performance by the rapper and performance artist Mykki Blanco.
The festival takes place from March 9 through 13 at the Egyptian and other L.A. locations. Weekend highlights include the L.A. premieres of “Mr. Gay Syria,” a documentary following the lives of two gay Syrian refugees as they struggle to restore their lives; the quirky comedy “White Rabbit,” one of this year’s Sundance Next standouts starring Vivian Bang, and “Shakedown,” a documentary exploring the Los Angeles strip club that celebrated female desire and sexuality within the African-American community.
Also of note is the world premiere of the dramatic short, “Happy Birthday, Marsha!” about iconic transgender artist and activist, Marsha P. Johnson, followed by the episodic series “America in Transition,” which explores the wealth of different relationship, family and social issues faced by trans people of color across the United States. Showtime’s “The Chi” will also be screening an unaired episode immediately followed by a Q&A.
On Monday, March 12, Fusion will host a screening at Plaza De La Raza of the campy musical comedy }Holy Camp!”, which is based on the cult play “La Llamada.” The night will end with the LatinXplosive shorts program featuring films from directors Pedro Jorge, Candy Guinea, Armando Ibañez, Kase Pena, Nance Messino and Cole Santiago.
Outfest Fusion also will be hosting seven workshops at various locations around Los Angeles. Led by Outfest QPOC alumni filmmakers, classes include Collaboration in Filmmaking, Worldbuilding Feminist Futures and a masterclass with QPOC writers on writing and pitching. These interactive classes and workshops will be led by Chanelle Tyson, Paisley Smith, Caitlin Conlen, Q. Allan Brocka, Michelle Badillo, Steven Canals, Chuck Hayward, Kase Pena, Henry Alberto, Abel Soto, Ean Weslynn, Deondray Gossfield and Quincy LeNear Gossfield.
Outfest Fusion rounds out with the Fusion Finale on Tuesday, March 13, at the California African-American Museum for the “One Minute Movie Contest,” where all the submissions will be screened and prizes awarded. This year’s theme is “Keeping Silent/Speaking Truth.”
Winners of the One Minute Movie Contest will be invited to play their film at Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival in July. As previously announced earlier this year, shorts that win awards at Outfest Los Angeles now qualify for the Academy Awards.
For complete listings and to purchase tickets, log on to www.Outfest.org/fusion2018
or call (213) 480-7088.
