In response to the devastation caused by the recent wildfires, OUTwatch – Wine Country’s LGBTQI Film Festival will donate all profits to a new organization just formed that will offer financial support to those in the LGBTQI Community in need. This year the festival will happen at two theaters November 2 – 5, 2016, with Opening Night at the Sebastiani Theatre in Sonoma and the remaining program at Third Street Cinema in Santa Rosa. In an effort to reach all segments of the LGBTQI Community, OUTwatch will present two Spanish language films, as well as offers films of interest to people of all ages, races, genders, gender-expressions, religions, and more. For its fourth year as one of Wine Country’s fastest-growing film festivals, OUTwatch will showcase five fantastic feature films, two thought-provoking documentaries, and one diverse collection of short films.

OUTwatch is determined to bring the best of International LGBTQI Cinema to the North Bay.  The festival has expanded to three days of screenings.  This year, the schedule is: Thursday, November 2 – 7:30 p.m. The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin A playful and poignant documentary that examines the life and work of the LGBT Community’s most beloved writer. Friday, November 3 – 7:30 p.m. Signature Move In this comedy a closeted Muslin woman needs to navigate her budding relationship with an out and proud Latina as well as support her depressed mother.  Saturday, November 4 – 12:30 p.m. Saturday Church This coming of age story follows the adventures of a teenager who finds refuge with a band of LGBT folks as he explores his gender identity. 2:30 p.m. Fast Girls – Lesbian Shorts is a collection of fun, sexy, thoughtful short films about the lesbian experience. 4:30 p.m. Lavender Scare explores one of the darkest times in the LGBT community’s history at the hands of the U.S. government that gave way to a civil rights movement.  7:30 p.m. After Louie Alan Cumming stars in this drama about an artist and activist who has much to learn from his new love interest.  Sunday, November 5 – 12:30 p.m. An encore screening of The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin  2:45 p.m. I Dream in Another Language (Spanish with English subtitles) A linguist travels to rural Mexico to re-unite the last two men who speak a dying indigenous language. 5 p.m. Extra Terrestrials (Spanish with English subtitles) A sexy astrophysicist who returns home to Puerto Rico and reveals long-repressed family secrets.

To provide all members of the community with an opportunity for respite and connection, all film screenings will offer a “pay what you can” option and complimentary tickets will be distributed to the organizations and groups that serve our community.