Outfest honoring Amandla Stenberg with the Platinum Maverick Award

Amandla Stenberg has a couple dates with Outfest next month.

First, the actress was shortlisted to receive the festival’s Platinum Maverick Award, an honor that “recognizes Stenberg’s artistry in film and music and her unapologetic use of her platform for fierce advocacy and all-out activism.” within the LGBTQ+ community”. Stenberg will take the stage to accept the award during the opening night festivities at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles on July 13.

Two days later, on July 15, Stenberg will show up with co-star Bobbi Salvör Menuez and their director Jacqueline Castel at the Redcat in Los Angeles for a screening of their film, My pet, as a projection of the platinum centerpiece of the festival. The screening, which follows its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January, will be followed by a Platinum Alchemy Party and Music Showcase at 10DTLA, starring Madame Gandhi (who will receive a special award) and featuring artists such as Mega Bog, Praise Kink, Made Vós and Marie Nyx with an expected special guest performance.

Outfest rolled out the updates today as part of a news release that also included information on other screenings, events and highlights from the 41st Edition presented by Warner Bros. Discovery and Genesis Motor America, which runs July 13-23.

Included in the lineup is a central screening of the Ira Sachs film Steps with Franz Rogowski, Ben Whishaw and Adèle Exarchopoulos. The release of MUBI follows a self-absorbed director who throws his life and relationship into chaos when he enters into a surprising relationship with a woman. Sachs will participate in a discussion and post-screening reception.

Kokomo city, D. Smith’s look at the lives of four black transsexual prostitutes, will unfold at the center of a documentary. Following the Magnolia Pictures title screening, the director will discuss the project with film subjects Daniella Carter, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver who will be in attendance, times permitting.

Other showings of the showpiece include that of Erica Tremblay Fantasy dance hero The flower moon killers stars Lily Gladstone as a queer woman who runs away with her teenage niece in search of her missing sister. SXSW voice of director Rightor Doyle Down below starring Zachary Quinto, Lukas Gage, Simon Rex, Judith Light and Audra McDonald will screen as a late night selection. Doyle is expected to present his wild night comedy that follows after a deeply repressed man gets a “happy ending” from a young man.

Also on the schedule is a Family Day celebration on July 23 at the new Vidiots headquarters in Eagle Rock where queer families, youth and allies will be invited for a day of programs and events including drag story hour, arts, crafts , giveaways and more. Full Outfest the lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.