As part of the festival's series of special events, Lynch will appear in conversation with Variety senior film critic and features editor Peter Debruge. Shepherd and Cayne will appear for a Q&A session following a screening of an upcoming episode of "Drop Dead Diva."

Baxter, publicist Howard Bragman, and others will appear on the panel "Coming Out In Hollywood" to discuss the "in" or "out" debate as it relates to celebrities.

The panel "Writers Under the Influence: The Top LGBT Films That Inspired Us" will be moderated by film historian/critic David Ehrenstein and feature several screenwriters and writer/directors (including Kimberly Pierce, Guinevere Turner, Barry Sandler, Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, and Angela Robinson) discussing which movies of the past five decades influenced and inspired them.

The infamous movie musical sequel "Grease 2" will head the festival's "Under the Stars" screening series at the Ford Ampitheatre.

The festival is presented by Outfest, "the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media." For a list of other free screenings and events in the festival and to purchase tickets, visit outfest.org or call (213) 480-7065.