OUTFEST 2009 Announces Special Events, Panels And Sing-a-longs 7/9-19

Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media, has announced additional programming for Outfest 2009: The 27th Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. In addition to its already diverse and innovative lineup, Outfest will be showcasing special events, panels and its wildly popular "Under the Stars" seriesat the Ford Amphitheatre, which includes the much-anticipated, annual Sing-Along.

Special Events and Panels include Q&As with the talent and creative teams of Fox's new hit musical series "Glee" and HBO's critically acclaimed drama "Big Love;" and the tuneful discussion Words, Pictures and Music about musicals on the big screen with panelists Bill Condon (Chicago), Leslie Dixon (Hairspray), Peter Barsocchini (High School Musical 1-4) and H.P. Mendoza (Colma: The Musical), whose new musical "Fruit Fly" screens following the panel.

Furthermore, Outfest invites audience members to its Screenwriting Lab Reading; hosts a screening of Sandra Bernhard's "Without You I'm Nothing;" as well as free screenings of the celebrated documentary "Before Stonewall," on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, Debra Chasnoff's powerful new doc "Straightlaced," and the family favorite "Kung Fu Panda;" plus a Sneak Peek of "Making the Boys," the fascinating documentary about "The Boys in the Band" and a special screening of "Prayers For Bobby," the acclaimed film starring Sigourney Weaver.

And Outfest would not be Outfest without the massively popular musical Sing-Along at the Ford Amphitheatre! This year it's all about Streisand in her iconic star-making performance of "Funny Girl." Other screenings at the Ford include the comedies "Patrik Age 1.5," "Hollywood, Je T'aime," "The Baby Formula" and the Closing Night Gala "Dare."

For more information and for a complete listing of films in the Festival, log on to www.Outfest.org or call 213-480-7065. Festival tickets go on sale on June 8 to Outfest members and on June 15 to the general public. Special ticket packages are also available. Outfest's 27th film festival is presented by HBO and the grand sponsors are Absolut Vodka and V Australia, with Premiere sponsors: The Directors Guild of America, My104.3 FM, One Hope Wineries, Regent Media and Stella Artois.