Outfest, the “oldest continuous film festival in Los Angeles”, featured a whopping 212 films from over 25 countries this year. The fest took place over a lovely thirteen days in summery downtown Los Angeles (July 9-21), showcasing an eclectic mix of familiar LGBT fare along with some thankfully refreshing new directions -Jennifer Phang’s HALF-LIFE, Matt Wolf’s WILD COMBINATION, Isaac Julien’s DEREK, and Luke Eberl’s CHOOSE CONNOR remained my particular favorites. It was director Steward Wade (COFFEEDATE)’s TRU LOVED that was chosen for closing night, however, and I can see why – it runs a touching line about the establishment of a school’s first gay-straight alliance. Awards night, headlined by candy-colored scene stealer WERE THE WORLD MINE (an all-boy musical), was interesting, with its combination of drag queen posturing and lush West coast exteriors. The winners: Lucia Puenzo’s XXY, Daryl Wein’s SEX POSITIVE, Isabel Vega’s LA CORONA – (an amazing short that I caught at last year’s Sundance), and Madeleine Olnek’s COUNTERTRANSFERENCE. Much thanks to Kristen Schaffer and Kimberley Yutani, for their editorial finesse and presiding over hundreds and hundreds of these films.