As a fan of movies, one of my favorite points in the year that relates to my job is Out on Film. It’s a chance to look at the ever-growing field of LGBT films that show that we’re more than sassy sidekicks or outrageous stereotypes. With 26 years under the organization’s proverbial belt, Out on Film knows how to put together a rock-solid film festival.

This year’s selection of films is as packed as ever with documentaries, comedies, dramas, and shorts that represent so many facets of our broad community. Several of the films also feature guest appearances by their stars, directors, and/or subjects; see the complete list of features on page 24 to see which guests will be making an appearance.

With Out on Film taking over Landmark Midtown Art Cinema (931 Monroe Dr), and tickets available for individual screenings or the entire festival, the biggest problem viewers will have is selecting which films to attend – at several points, multiple film screenings overlap.

So what films should you see this year? We have some recommendations…

G.B.F.

Thursday, Oct. 3 • 7 p.m.

Out on Film officially kicks off with G.B.F., a comedy where Tanner (Michael J. Willett), his school’s first openly gay student, becomes the target of the most popular girls in school for their most-wanted fashion accessory: the gay best friend. The film also includes memorable performances from Megan Mullally (Will & Grace) and Natasha Lyonne (Orange is the New Black).

Hot Guys with Guns

Friday, Oct. 4 • 9:05 p.m.

In this comedy-mystery hybrid, actor Danny is looking for his big break. As he trains to be a private investigator, he gets an assignment to trail his ex, Pip – a LA party boy who’s involved in multiple robberies. Hot Guys with Guns is part of David Atlanta’s special night of films, and the screening is followed by a Q&A session with director Doug Spearman, known for his role as Chance on Noah’s Arc.

I’m a Porn Star

Friday, Oct. 4 • 11:15 p.m.

Porn: it’s the reason the Internet is as big as it is. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry. But who are the people who star in it? As I’m a Porn Star shows, they’re people who live among us, including Georgia native Johnny Rapid.

I Am Divine

Saturday, Oct. 5 • 7:05 p.m.

The legendary drag superstar is the subject of this documentary, which includes interviews with frequent collaborator John Waters, Mink Stole, Ricki Lake, Tab Hunter and others.

Getting Go: The Go-Doc Project

Saturday, Oct. 5 • 9:10 p.m.

Doc is a shy college graduate who spends his days behind a computer screen. One of his obsessions: Go, a New York gogo dancer. One night, he emails Go with a proposal to make a documentary about him. When Go accepts, the two collide in what turns into an alternately funny and heartbreaking story.

Birthday Cake

Sunday, Oct. 6 • 6:45 p.m.

Chad Darnell follows up his 2012 short “Groom’s Cake” with the feature-length Birthday Cake, a comedic mockumentary leading up to the first birthday party for the child of two gay parents, Steven and Daniel. The film includes Lee Meriwether in its cast, and director/star Chad Darnell will be present at the screening.

Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf?

Monday, Oct. 7 • 7 p.m.

If the title of this film sounds eerily similar to Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? to you, then you’ve picked up a big part of the story. Anna, a 40-year-old filmmaker, decides to write a lesbian remake of that film classic in order to win the affections of her film’s leading lady, Katia. The film stars include Janina Gavankar ofTrue Blood and recent Emmy winner Carrie Preston, and director Anna Margarita Albelo and actress Guinevere Turner will be present at the screening.

Kill Your Darlings

Tuesday, Oct. 8 • 9:10 p.m.

Weeks before its nationwide debut, Kill Your Darlings gets an exclusive Atlanta debut at Out on Film. Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe stars as Allen Ginsberg, and the film focuses on how he and other poets of the Beat Generation are brought together by a murder in 1944. The film also stars Dane DeHaan, Michael C. Hall, Ben Foster, David Cross, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Elizabeth Olsen.

Southern Baptist Sissies

Wednesday, Oct. 9 • 9:15 p.m.

Sordid Lives creator Del Shores brings his newest creation to film. Southern Baptist Sissies tells the story of four gay boys who grew up in the Southern Baptist church, and the different paths each one takes in coming to terms with his sexuality. The film’s cast includes Leslie Jordan, Ann Walker, Newell Alexander and Willam Belli. Writer/director Shores and star Emerson Collins will both be present for a Q&A session following the film.

Bridegroom

Thursday, Oct. 10 • 8:30 p.m.

Designing Women creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason directs this documentary about the journey of Shane and Tom, two young men whose longterm relationship took a tragic turn when Tom died unexpectedly. In the aftermath, Shane found himself cut off by Tom’s family, since Shane and Tom were not legally married. Shane’s story originally gained prominence when he uploaded a video to YouTube called “It Could Happen to You.” Shane Bitney Crone will be at the screening.