Celebrating 25 Years of Out Night at the 64th Ann Arbor Film Festival

Ann Arbor Film Festival
4 days ago
2 min read

Updated: 2 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Image 1: Film still from Dead Name by Gina Kamentsky Image 2: Film still from Leather Graves by Malic Amalya Image 3: Film still from Weathered Blue by Daniel Hay-Gordon, El Perry Image 4: Film still from Sissy Puss by Lara Delmage

The Ann Arbor Film Festival proudly marks the 25th anniversary of Out Night, its long-running showcase of queer cinema, at the 64th AAFF, taking place March 24–29, 2026, with Awards Programs online March 30–April 13.

Founded in 2001, Out Night has become a cornerstone of the festival, providing a vital platform for LGBTQ+ films that reflect lived experience, creative experimentation, and cultural history. In celebration of this milestone, AAFF is expanding its queer-focused programming across multiple sections of the festival—honoring the past while amplifying bold contemporary voices.

Highlights from the Program

Two feature-length works in competition anchor this year’s Out Night–related programming. Barbara Forever, directed by Brydie O’Connor, is an archival portrait of pioneering lesbian experimental filmmaker Barbara Hammer, tracing her life, work, and lasting legacy. Adam’s Apple, directed by Amy Jenkins, is an intimate, collaborative documentary spanning nearly two decades, filmed alongside her transgender son as he charts his path toward adulthood.

Special Programs include The Scene of the Crime: The Films and Videos of Ken Camp and James Robert Baker, a restoration of long-unseen works by two key figures in Los Angeles’ queer experimental scene of the 1970s and 1980s, and Out Night’s 25th Anniversary Program, curated by Abigail Knox, featuring six historic AAFF award-winning films from past Out Night screenings.

The tradition continues with Films in Competition 5: Out Night, a new lineup of short films exploring queerness, identity, desire, memory, and resilience—offering a compelling snapshot of contemporary LGBTQ+ experience.

Tickets for these programs and the rest of the 64th AAFF will go on sale March 1, 2026 so be sure to visit www.aafilmfest.org.

Celebrating the Milestone at our Annual Fundraiser

AAFF’s annual fundraiser will also honor the 25th anniversary of Out Night on Monday, February 23, 2026. The evening includes a 5:30 PM Sneak Preview of the 64th AAFF at the Michigan Theater, followed by drinks and hors d’oeuvres from 7:00–9:00 PM at Aventura. The event will feature a formal toast recognizing Martin Contreras and Keith Orr for their longstanding support of the \aut\ FILM Award for Best LGBTQ+ Film.