Outfest 2010 unveils lineup

Outfest 2010 will kick off with "Howl," Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman's portrait of Allen Ginsberg, and close with J.B. Ghuman's high school-set musical "Spork."

Related Topics

•Asia Movies, Entertainmen...

Organizers said Wednesday that the 28th edition of the gay and lesbian film festival will screen 147 pics -- 60 features and 87 shorts -- from 23 countries during the July 8-18 event.

"Howl," which stars James Franco, Jon Hamm and David Strathairn, will be presented at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles as part of the opening-night gala. There, actress Jane Lynch will receive this year's Outfest Achievement Award, to be presented by fellow "Glee" cast member Chris Coffer and director Paris Barclay.

Other gala screenings on tap include Cheryl Dunye's hybrid thriller/documentary "The Owls," screening as the U.S. Dramatic Centerpiece, and the feature debut from Outfest Screenwriting Lab fellow Javier Fuentes-Leon, "Undertow" (Contracorriente), the International Dramatic Centerpiece.

The fest will celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Outfest Legacy Project for LGBT Film Preservation, a collaboration with the UCLA Film & Television Archive, with showings of "Clueless," "Hustler White," "Madchen in Uniform," "Out of the Shadows/Sign of Protest" and "Macho Dancer."

To mark the 25th anniversary of the incorporation of the city of West Hollywood, the fest has scheduled movies that reflect the city's history: "The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy," "An Ordinary Couple," "Is It Just Me?" and "Out of the Shadows."

Its "4 in Focus" series will spotlight first-time feature directors with Myriam Aziza's "The Evening Dress" (La Robe du Soir), Adriana Maggs' "Grown Up Movie Star," Jake Yuzna's "Open" and "Undertow."

"This year's incredible lineup celebrates all of the forward-thinking artists that push the boundaries for LGBT rights and equality," Outfest executive director Kirsten Schaffer said. "From Allen Ginsberg's quest for personal and artistic liberation to stories that challenge the status quo in the age of 'don't ask, don't tell' and gay marriage bans, this inspiring collection of films is sure to impact both gay and straight audiences."

Tickets go on sale Outfest members June 7 and to the general public June 14.