OutfestNEXT Los Angeles

OutfestNEXT is the smaller festival that rose from the ashes of Outfest, Los Angeles's LGBTQ film organisation, after it collapsed in 2023. Founded by UCLA students in 1982, Outfest had spent four decades screening films to nearly a million people. But management problems and financial setbacks forced it to stop programming, laying off around 20 staff and postponing its Legacy Awards gala.

In November 2025, OutfestNEXT launched with HBO Max presenting about 20 films over four days at the LA LGBT Center's Renberg Theatre and LOOK Cinema in Glendale. The 2026 edition, held from 23 to 26 July, took place at the Center's Village at Ed Gould Plaza in Hollywood. Films screened in the Renberg Theatre and Outfest's Microcinema, alongside workshops and panels for filmmakers. Gregg Araki's I Want Your Sex, starring Olivia Wilde and Margaret Cho, headlined the festival. ABC7 counted 18 other features and more than 30 shorts. Members got first dibs on tickets, and Outfest warned that demand would outstrip available seats.

Outfest plans to revive the full Outfest Los Angeles festival, but so far, no dates have been announced for 2027.