OUTFEST'S SILVER LINING GAY FILMS TACKLE NEW TOPICS IN EVENT'S 25TH YEAR.

Byline: Greg Hernandez

Staff Writer

It's no accident that Outfest 2007 will open Thursday with "Save Me," a movie starring Chad Allen, Robert Gant and Judith Light that explores a relationship that develops between two men in an ex-gay Christian ministry.

The 25th annual Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival is anchored this year by a "Queers in Christ" series of films, beginning with "Save Me," which debuted earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival.

The series also includes the documentaries "For the Bible Tells Me So," about whether homosexuals are welcome in the kingdom of God; "The Believers," about the world's first transgender gospel choir; and "We're All Angels," about the gay Christian pop duo Jason and deMarco.

Movies with a message

"Save Me" director Robert Cary says his and the other films are well- timed because of the polarizing debates over religion and sexuality that currently rage in America. He says this environment is why he wanted to make a film that explores the topic fairly.

"It's about something that's critical to our country right now," says Cary. "I think the hope in making 'Save Me' was to actually get as far in without having the audience know if this film was made by a Christian person or a gay person. I had hoped to create something that was a balanced portrayal."

But films with predominantly Christian themes make up just a small fraction of the 235 movies from 26 countries that make up this year's festival and will screen at nine different venues Thursday through July 23.

The lineup includes the drama "The Curiosity of Chance," the romantic comedy "Kiss the Bride," the documentary "Alexis Arquette: She's My Brother," the comedy "Out at the Wedding," various short programs and the restored gay classic "Parting Glances." There is even the first gay surfing film ("Shelter").

"There is no such thing as the queer genre film," says David Courier, Outfest's co-director of programming. "This year we have a gay sci-fi story, gay horror thrillers and even a couple of crime dramas."

New stories for a new era

"Save Me" producer Christopher Racster says the variety of genres and diverse topics are proof that 25 years into the festival, audiences are hungry for films that reflect their lives today.

"The audiences are more sophisticated and don't want to just see coming-out stories anymore," Racster says. "People expect more and they expect broader themes. How do we reflect younger people's loves? They don't live a gay ghettoized life and don't expect to."

While the male-driven films typically get more attention, Outfest has balanced its program with many lesbian titles including the comedy "Itty Bitty Titty Committee," which will screen on the festival's awards night as well as "The Doctor's Daughter," "Out at the Wedding," "Nina's Heavenly Delights" and "Tuli."

"I am impressed by the caliber of filmmaking and the diversity of subjects tackled by the filmmakers," says Outfest senior director Kristen Schaffer. "The stories are refreshing, entertaining and meaningful. They demonstrate how much this community has grown in the past 25 years while laying down the foundation for the next 25."

Let's make a deal 

The festival, which also hosts more than 40 parties, is also business for filmmakers and distributors -- giving low-profile movies a chance to be discovered and possibly distributed either theatrically or on DVD.

"For our network, Outfest is more important than Cannes or Sundance," said Paul Colichman, chairman of here!TV and producer of "Gods & Monsters" and other films. "It's not only the films but about the filmmakers, the actors and everyone involved. It's a chance for us to see the greater GLBT community at work. The talent pool is profiled so well at Outfest. Better than anyplace else in the world."

For expanded Outfest coverage and daily blogging from the event, go to the Out in Hollywood blog at http://insidesocal.com/outinhollywood.

Greg Hernandez, [phone]

[e-mail]

OUTFEST 2007

What: The 25th annual Los Angeles gay and lesbian film festival.

Where: At nine venues: Directors Guild of America, John Anson Ford Ampitheatre, Regent Showcase, Laemmle Monica, Orpheum Theatre, Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, The Echo, Calarts Theatre at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center's Village at Ed Gould Plaza.

When: July 12-23.

Information: www.Outfest.org;

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Photo:

(1 -- 2) Chad Allen, above, tries to reconcile his homosexuality with Christianity in "Save Me," and Tad Hilgenbrink, right, is a gay high- schooler in the '80s in "The Curiosity of Chance." Both films will screen at Outfest.