By Valerie Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 6/18/26 – Outfest is inviting audiences to save the date as OutfestNEXT returns to Los Angeles July 23–26, 2026, bringing four nights of queer cinema, filmmaker conversations, community gatherings, and LGBTQ+ storytelling to the LA LGBT Center’s Village at Ed Gould Plaza.
The annual event will feature a curated selection of narrative and documentary features, short films, filmmaker-forward workshops, and panel discussions, along with receptions in the Village Courtyard that encourage filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals to connect and celebrate queer creativity.
Outfest describes the event as a showcase of the vibrant community that has made the organization one of the most influential champions of LGBTQ+ storytelling for more than four decades.
Among the first announced titles is acclaimed filmmaker Gregg Araki’s latest feature, I Want Your Sex. The provocative new film stars Olivia Wilde, Cooper Hoffman, Chase Sui Wonders, Margaret Cho, and Charli XCX. Araki, whose groundbreaking work helped define queer independent cinema, remains one of the most celebrated voices in LGBTQ+ filmmaking.
Also joining the lineup is Test, a sports drama starring Matthew Morrison, Brock Yurich, and Tammy Blanchard. The film follows a small-town Ohio bodybuilder as he navigates ambition, family expectations, faith, and desire while training under a renowned coach.
Documentary audiences can look forward to Barbara Forever, an exploration of the life, work, and enduring legacy of pioneering lesbian filmmaker Barbara Hammer. Directed by Outfest alum Brydie O’Connor and executive produced by Kristen Stewart, the documentary arrives in Los Angeles following its Sundance debut and serves as both a tribute and historical record of one of queer cinema’s most influential artists.
International storytelling takes center stage with Maspalomas, a moving Spanish drama that follows an openly gay older man who is forced to leave his beloved community in the Canary Islands for a more conservative nursing home. The film examines themes of aging, identity, and belonging with warmth and compassion.
Another highlight is Something You Should Know About Me, a romantic comedy executive produced by Lilly Wachowski. Starring EJ Marcus and Morgan Sullivan, the coming-of-age story celebrates trans joy while exploring friendship, romance, and self-discovery.
Rounding out the early lineup is Ethan Fuirst’s Can’t Go Over It, a microbudget comedy-drama starring Broadway performer Susannah Perkins and Tony Award nominee Taylor Trensch. Shot entirely on location in the Adirondack Mountains, the film follows two queer friends whose hiking adventure becomes a journey of personal growth and emotional discovery.
The full OutfestNEXT program will be announced on June 29.
For those eager to secure tickets, Outfest is encouraging supporters to become members before sales begin. Member ticket access opens June 29, ahead of general public sales on July 1. Membership also includes invitations to special events, priority access to year-round screenings, and exclusive discounts throughout the year.
With demand expected to exceed availability for many screenings, early access could prove valuable for film lovers hoping to experience some of the festival’s most anticipated titles.
Since its founding in 1982, Outfest has showcased thousands of LGBTQ+ films, supported emerging filmmakers, and preserved significant queer media through its ongoing partnership with the UCLA Film & Television Archive. OutfestNEXT continues that mission by bringing together contemporary voices, established artists, and audiences eager to celebrate the power of LGBTQ+ storytelling.
For more information, membership details, and festival updates, visit Outfest.org.
