Drag Balls, Bullying Docs, and Isherwood Highlight L.A. Film Festival

A new film about L.A.'s famed vogue balls, an adaptation of a Christopher Isherwood memoir, and three LGBT-themed documentaries are among the highlights of the 2011 Los Angeles Film Fest.

Fans of Paris is Burning, Jennie Livingston's hit 1990 documentary about the New York drag ball scene, are likely to seek out Leave It on the Floor, from director Sheldon Larry. The narrative film, which will have its world premiere at the festival, is described as an "audacious, raunchy, African-American musical and love story (that) celebrates Downtown L.A.'s fabulously funky underground ball culture."

Cabaret connoisseurs will find a lot to savor in Geoffrey Sax's adaptation of Christopher and His Kind, Christopher Isherwood's classic memoir about his decadent years in pre-World War II Berlin. The BBC production comes complete with all the beautiful boys Isherwood loved, the terrifying rise of the Nazi Party, and Jean Ross, the real-life woman who inspired the immortal Sally Bowles.

Renee documents transgender tennis star Renee Richards who stunned the sports world in the 1970s when it was revealed that she was born Richard Raskind. Eric Drath's documentary allows Richards to reflect on her extraordinary life.

Nashville singing star Chely Wright who made news last year when she came out as lesbian is the subject of Wish Me Away, co-directed by Bobbie Birleffi and Beverly Kopf. The film, also having a world premiere at the festival, chronicles Wright's decision made by Nashville to come out of the closet despite the potentially crushing response from the industry and her fans.

The Bully Project, a timely documentary by Lee Hirsch, follows five young victims of bullying over the course of a school year.

The festival takes place June 16-26. For the complete lineup and schedule of dates and times, click here.

Watch the trailers for Christopher and His Kind and Leave It On the Floor below.