The LA-based non-profit and the New York-based festival are to merge into one national arts organisation dedicated to promoting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) interests.

Outfest, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, will take charge of programming this year’s NewFest set to take place from Jul 27–30 at a venue to be announced.

“Extending the reach of Outfest as a national organisation and ensuring that Outfest continues to be a leader in bringing stories of the LGBT community to audiences is a great way to celebrate our 30th anniversary milestone,” Outfest board co-presidents Jon Larson and Laura Ivey said.

“We look forward to working with the team at NewFest on their festival this year and on future initiatives,” Outfest executive director Kirsten Schaffer added.

“Outfest brings a wealth of knowledge and wide-ranging capabilities to NewFest and will enable us to enhance our annual festival and expand our year-round programming,” NewFest board co-president Steve Mendelsohn said. “The potential benefit for NewFest and New York’s LGBT film community as a whole is something we’re very excited about.”

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