Outfest 2014 Welcomes Celebrity-Packed Films

Outfest 2014 kicks off with “Life Partners” as its opening gala film on July 10. Directed by Susanna Fogel and based on an autobiographical play written by Fogel and Joni Lefkowitz, “Life Partners” features Leighton Meester, Gillian Jacobs, Adam Brody, Kate McKinnon and Gabourey Sidibe.

Other films to watch for in the festival lineup include “Boulevard” with Robin Williams and Kathy Baker; “Lilting” with Ben Wishaw; “X/Y” with America Ferrera, rapper Common and Melonie Diaz; “Last Weekend” with Patricia Clarkson, Zachary Booth, Joseph Cross and Judith Light; Patrick Stewart in “Match”; Nia Vardalos starring in “Helicopter Mom”; Noah Silver, Cameron Monaghan and Morgan Saylor in “Jamie Marks Is Dead”; Gaby Hoffman  in “Lyle”; and Outfest faves Guinevere Turner and Candis Cayne in “Crazy Bitches.”

Also, Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis and comic Alec Mapa bring their autobiographical stories to Outfest, “Back on Board: Greg Louganis,” and “Alec Mapa: Baby Daddy.”

“The films in this festival remind us that artists lead the charge for a better world,” said Kristin Pepe, Outfest director of programming.

The popular Under the Stars series at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre kicks off with “The Wizard of Oz: The Sing-Along,” followed by “Crazy Bitches” from director Jane Clark, and “Tiger Orange,” from director Wade Gasque  Salomé Breziner’s “Helicopter Mom,” and the closing night film, “Space Station 76,”  featuring Matt Bomer, Patrick Wilson, Liv Tyler and Jerry O’Connell, on July 20.

The Outfest UCLA Legacy Project celebrates the 25^th anniversary of “Longtime Companion,” and unveil the restored “Sign of Protest.”

For a complete schedule, go to www.outfest.org/fest2014 or call (213) 480-7065.

Film trailer credit: JD Disalvatore.