Outfest screenwriting fellows give glimpse into future of LGBT filmmaking

What began as a screenwriting competition for promising LGBT writers in 1997 has evolved into the Outfest Screenwriting Lab, a three-day mentor-led workshop culminating in readings of scene excerpts during the festival.

The lab will pair seven fellows, whose works were chosen from 200 submissions, with seasoned LGBT film veterans. The competition receives support from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and DreamWorks Animation.

“This year’s 2014 Outfest Screenwriting Lab fellows have written a collection of sensational LGBT stories that depict the complexity and beauty of LGBT lives,� said executive director Kirsten Schaffer.

The submissions include Jared Frieder’s “Three Months,� which follows a punk gay teenager over the three months it takes to get tested after being exposed to HIV. Also, Tom Gustafson and Cory James Krueckeberg’s “Harvard Secret Court� is the true story of a Harvard student’s suicide in 1920 that forces his gay friends to band together.

In Andrea Janakas’ “Stay,� a lesbian couple’s attempt to get a divorce forces them to live together until they’ve been legal residents for a year. Sheila Sawhny and Dee Johnson’s “The Third Sex� is the true story of an American transsexual who travels to India and discovers the society of Hijras -- a colorful transgender community.

The lab mentors are Brian Dannelly (“Saved!�), Don Roos (“Web Therapy�), Rose Troche and Guinevere Turner (“Go Fish�) and Barry Sandler (“Making Love�), along with special guests Michele Mulroney (“Paper Man�), David A. Newman and Keith Merryman (“Friends with Benefits�), and Sandy Weinberg of Summit Talent Agency.

Readings will take place July 14 at the DGA 2 Theater, 7920 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Tickets are available at www.outfest.org.

-Adam Sandel, Brand Publishing Writer