Academy Foundation Awards $30,000 to Outfest for the 28th Annual Film Festival

The Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has awarded a $30,000 grant to Outfest 2010: The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. The grant will be used to reach new audiences, specifically youth ages 18-25 and audiences who have little exposure to LGBT images.

Heading into its 28th year, Outfest is the oldest continuous film festival in Los Angeles. The 2010 festival will take place July 8-18th at the Directors Guild of America, the Ford Amphitheater, the Orpheum theater and other venues around Los Angeles.

"To be recognized by the Academy Foundation for inclusion in such a distinguished and prestigious grant program is not only an honor, but a testament to the filmmakers who will benefit from these resources," said Executive Director Kirsten Schaffer. "It is very exciting to know that we will be able to use these funds to expand our outreach and cultivate new audiences."

$450,000 in grants were awarded to 24 U.S. festivals. While the grants are awarded for a variety of festival programs, organizers are encouraged to submit proposals intended to make festival events more accessible to the general public, provide greater access to minority and less visible filmmakers, and help strengthen the connection between filmmakers and the general public.

ABOUT OUTFEST
Outfest is the leading organization showcasing, nurturing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film images and artistry. Since its inception in 1982, Outfest has led the charge, spotlighting emerging talent, creating community between filmmakers and audiences and offering a world-class forum for stories that reflect and often transform LGBT lives. Through our five programs, Outfest has showcased over 4,500 films for audiences of well over half a million people.

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