Outfest to Merge With NewFest, Organizers Announce

New York's long-running LGBT film festival, NewFest, is merging with Outfest, organizers announced today.

This year's NewFest, held July 27 through July 30, will be programmed by Outfest as a first step toward becoming one national arts organization.

"Outfest brings a wealth of knowledge and wide-ranging capabilities to NewFest," said the event's co-president of the board, Steve Mendelsohn. He said the new arrangement with Outfest, which is based in Los Angeles, will make for a better festival in New York and expand programming year round.

NewFest is more than 20 years old, and Outfest is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.