JBFC Introduces OUT THERE: A New Monthly Series Showcasing Queer Cinema

A Year-round Celebration of LGBTQ+ Stories from Around the World, New Series Explores Themes of Love, Identity, Resilience, and Joy

Following the conclusion of its acclaimed annual Pride series, the Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) is proud to announce the launch of Out There, a new, ongoing monthly series dedicated to celebrating Queer cinema from across the globe. Out There is presented in partnership with The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center.

Beginning this month, Out There will feature a thoughtfully curated selection of films that reflect the wide spectrum of LGBTQ+ experiences—highlighting stories of love, identity, resilience, and joy. With one screening every month, the series seeks to engage audiences through compelling storytelling while fostering community connections and dialogue.

“In an increasingly polarized climate, JBFC sees Out There as a powerful reminder of the importance of visibility, empathy, and connection through cinema,” said Mary Jo Ziesel, JBFC Executive Director. “Out There is an expression of our ongoing commitment to showcasing diverse voices and building an inclusive space for all.”

“We’re excited to spotlight powerful queer stories that challenge, inspire, and celebrate the richness of LGBTQ+ life around the world,” said Chris Holliday, JBFC Director of Special Programs and Series Curator. “After select screenings, audience members can continue the conversation upstairs in Take 3 Wine Bar & Café, a space for connection and community.”

The first three films in the series have been announced, and include:

• The Children’s Hour (July 22) – Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine star in this film directed by William Wyler and adapted from Lillian Hellman’s controversial 1934 stage play of the same name. The 35mm screening will be followed by a Q&A with author, curator, and critic Michael Koresky—whose new book Sick and Dirty: Hollywood’s Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness will be available for purchase at the event.
• Heightened Security (August 7) – Sam Feder’s Heightened Scrutiny follows Chase Strangio, ACLU attorney and the first out trans person to argue before the Supreme Court, as he fights a high-stakes legal battle to overturn Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth (United States v. Skrmetti). Panel discussion to follow the screening; panelists and further details to be announced.
• My Beautiful Laundrette (September 11) – An exploration of love and class, My Beautiful Laundrette is a defining and enduring work of Queer and British cinema. Omar (Gordon Warnecke), a young British Pakistani man, attempts to transform a run-down laundrette into a thriving business with the unexpected help of his childhood friend and a former street punk, Johnny (Daniel Day-Lewis). 35mm screening.

Tickets and full program details are available at burnsfilmcenter.org/series/out-there. Join us each month for stories that move, inspire, and unite.

“We’re proud to continue our decade-long partnership with the Jacob Burns Film Center, an organization that shares our commitment to visibility, inclusion, and storytelling that reflects
the richness of LGBTQ+ lives,” said Danté R.H. Reda, The LOFT CEO. “Out There continues that legacy and reminds us of the enduring importance of art in building empathy, pride, and change.”

The launch of Out There reaffirms JBFC’s mission to present stories that reflect the full range of the human experience while inspiring community engagement and cultural understanding.

Inclusive programs like Out There are made possible thanks to the JBFC’s Connecting Our Community Fund. Please contact Judy Exton, JBFC Director of Development at jexton@burnsfilmcenter.org, for information on the Connecting Our Community Fund. Hear directly from our community partner, The LOFT, about our decade-long partnership.