Outfest 05 Kicks Off Today

The 23rd annual Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (Outfest 05) kicks off tonight with a screening of the French comedy Côte D’Azur at the Orpheum Theater downtown. While the opening gala’s ticket will set you back $50-$150 at the door, the festival’s other general screenings are prices even we at LAist can afford.

The 12-day festival boasts 232 films and videos from 28 different countries, including the romantic comedy Adam and Steve, and The D Word, a spoof of Showtime’s lesbo drama "The L Word." Other films deal with more serious issues like gay marriage, same-sex parenting and hate crimes and transgendered college students.

This is the real deal. Outfest is loud and proud about the diversity of their films and filmmakers. We’re not talking The Birdcage or even "Will and Grace" – not that there’s anything wrong with that.