L.A. Gay Film Fest ready for 'Love'

Swedish pic to open Outfest '99

By LEONARD KLADY

The Swedish film "Show Me Love" will be the curtain raiser for the 17th L.A. Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, aka Outfest '99, which runs July 8-18. Organizers also announced the rollout of a touring mini-fest and a record lineup of roughly 100 programs to be unveiled next week.

This year's event will be headquartered at the Directors Guild, with screenings also occurring at the Laemmle Sunset 5, the Ed Gould Theater and the John Anson Ford Amphitheater. Opening night will be held at the Pantages Theater, and the closing-night premiere of "Trick" will be held at another local landmark, the Egyptian Theater.

"Show Me Love" had its international premiere at the 1999 Berlin Fest, where it received the Teddy prize for best feature with a gay or lesbian theme. The bittersweet tale of two teenage girls' sexual awakening in a rural community was an enormous critical and commercial success in Scandinavia, where it has grossed more than $10 million.

An unusual romantic comedy, "Trick" -- which debuted at Sundance -- centers on a young composer whose attraction to a young man sends him into an emotional tailspin.

Outfest California, the fledgling touring program, will unspool in Fresno (June 29-July 1), Santa Barbara (July 2-4) and San Diego (July 21-23). Further info on the event is available by calling [phone].