Outfest's
Gutwillig to Step Down

Outfest executive director Stephen Gutwillig has announced he will step down at the end of the year after eight years with the organization. The copresidents of the Outfest board of directors, Stephen Macias and Angela Courtin, made the announcement Thursday night during the Legacy Awards, the organization's annual benefit.

"Stephen's leadership has made a difference for the LGBT community far beyond our home base here in Los Angeles," Macias said. "For example, the Outfest Legacy Project is the only LGBT film preservation project in the world, and it was created under Stephen's stewardship. As Outfest completes its first quarter century, it's clear that all five Outfest programs will have a lasting impact for generations to come."

During his tenure, Gutwillig has spearheaded programs like the Legacy Project for LGBT Film Preservation, responsible for the recent restoration of Bill Sherwood's Parting Glances, among other LGBT classics. He has also worked on the expansion of ongoing programs such as the Outfest Screenwriting Lab and Fusion, the nation's first film festival focused on LGBT people of color.

The board of directors also voted to elevate senior director of programming and operations Kirsten Schaffer to the post of co-executive director, effective immediately. When Gutwillig steps down, Schaffer will serve as interim executive director. (The Advocate)