OUTFEST was established in 1982 in Los Angeles as the first and only global LGBTQIA+ arts, media, and entertainment organization to support artists, communities, and filmmakers to change the world through their stories.

Every year, the non-profit organization hosts over 300 screenings and panels, and six programs and engages with over 50,000 attendees. Those programs include the popular Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival, the Outfest Fusion People of Color Film Festival, OutfestNow, and OutfestAlwaysOn. Their filmmaker and talent mentorship and education programs include Outfest Screenwriting Lab, Outfest InFusion studio days, Fusion Workshops, Outfest Young Filmmakers Project, and Outfest Anthony Meindl Trans Acting Fellowship.

During Pride month, HFPA member Greet Ramaeckers sat down with Outfest Executive Director Damien Navarro – a native Angeleno and graduate in film studies at Cal State Fullerton who took over the role in 2019 and was excited to share present and future plans. Since 2005, the HFPA has donated almost $600,000 to this wonderful organization. For more information or to donate, please visit: www.outfest.org