Kimberley Peirce
BY LESBIAN.COM STAFF
Outfest — the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media — announced today that Kyle Patrick Alvarez’s “C.O.G.,” the first film adaptation of David Sedaris’s work, has been selected as the Opening Night Gala of the 31st Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival on Thursday, July 11. “C.O.G.” is written and directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez, based on the short story by David Sedaris, and stars Jonathan Groff, Denis O’Hare, Corey Stoll, Dean Stockwell, Casey Wilson and Troian Bellisario.
Outfest will also present its 17th annual Achievement Award to writer/director Kimberly Peirce (“Boys Don’t Cry,” “Stop-Loss,” “Carrie”). The Achievement Award is Outfest’s highest honor and is presented in recognition of a body of work that has made a significant contribution to LGBT film and media. The Achievement Award will be presented to Peirce prior to the Opening Night Gala screening of “C.O.G.” on Thursday, July 11 at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles.
“One of Outfest’s principal goals has been to celebrate the many voices of LGBT storytelling on film, and we couldn’t be more excited to honor Kimberly Peirce’s extraordinary filmmaking career while also heralding writer-director Kyle Patrick Alvarez’s stunning sophomore feature capturing David Serdaris’ hilarious tone. The mix promises to make this our most memorable Opening Night,” commented Kirsten Schaffer, Outfest Executive Director.
Outfest has previously given this award to John Waters, Jane Lynch, Bill Condon, Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, Don Roos, Donna Deitch, Kenneth Anger, Gregg Araki, Todd Haynes, Jane Anderson, Christine Vachon, Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, Gus Van Sant, Ian McKellen, John Schlesinger, and Strand Releasing.
The nation’s leading LGBT film festival, and the oldest film festival in the city of Los Angeles, will be held July 11 – 21, 2013.
The complete lineup for Outfest 2013 will be announced at the beginning of June.
Outfest 2013: The 31st Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival is presented by HBO. Grand Sponsors include Absolut and Ease Entertainment.
