While film festivals like Sundance face an uncertain future in the current economic climate, queer film festivals like Outfest and Newfest face even more significant challenges as they struggle to hold onto sponsors, attract younger audiences, and face competition from increasingly inclusive mainstream fests.
So what must LGBT festivals do to adapt and thrive? This Queer Lounge panel addresses what's at stake and features producer/director Lesli Klainberg, the interim executive director of New York City’s Newsfest; Kirsten Schaffer, deputy executive director of Los Angeles’ Outfest; Jennifer Morris, director of programming at San Francisco’s Frameline, Carol Coombes, associate artistic director of the Philadelphia Film Festival and Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival; Paul Rachman, East Coast director of Slamdance, a festival inclusive of LGBT films; and Orly Ravid, co-founder of American Vision and VP acquisitions of Senator Entertainment.
Most of the panel is available below, with analysis provided here.
Unfortunately, the sound was not working at the beginning of the hour, so introductions are cut off, but the discussion remains. Our apologies for any inconvenience.