Outfest Kicks Off While Acknowledging “Elephant In The Room” – The Actors Strike

deadline.com:

The 41st edition of Outfest is underway in Los Angeles after an opening-night event dominated by talk of the actors strike. “Let’s also acknowledge the elephant in the room,” Outfest Executive Director Damien Navarro said as he welcomed the festival crowd at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown L.A. “We are living in uncertain times where the very foundation of our industry is being shaken.

Actors, writers and creators are facing immense challenges… I want to extend an even deeper and unwavering commitment to every artist and creator in our community who is grappling with the same fears and uncertainties.” The LGBTQIA+ festival, which runs from July 13-23, kicked off with the narrative feature Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, a drama about two high school boys in Texas and their friendship that develops into a romance.

Stars Max Pelayo (Aristotle) and Reese Gonzales (Dante) appeared on the red carpet but didn’t join director Aitch Alberto front and center for the film’s introduction. “My cast was supposed to be on stage,” Alberto said, indicating the actors remained seated out of solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA strike. “I’m endlessly proud of each of you.

Thank you for showing up so full of love for me, each other, and this story.” The strike officially began at 12:01 a.m. this morning Los Angeles time, allowing actors to appear at Outfest’s opening hours earlier without feeling they were sending an unintended signal.