By Greg Hernandez > Staff Writer

Between an opening-night movie featuring Tom Cavanaugh ("Ed") as a gay sportscaster and a closing-night film about a high-school teen with two moms, Outfest 2008 will have presented 212 gay- and lesbian-themed films from 25 countries over 13 days - one day longer than previous years.

Cavanaugh's "Breakfast With Scot" has the advantage of kicking off the festival on Wednesday at the Orpheum Theatre downtown and is the only film screened that day. Ditto for the July 21 festival closer "Tru Loved."

But otherwise, it's 11 days of trying to take in as many movies, panels and parties as you have the energy for. Festival veterans know it takes a lot of pre-planning and scheduling to try and see all of the movies that interest them. Inevitably, there are tough decisions to make about what to see and what to skip because there's just no really fast way to get from the Directors Guild of America or Regency Fairfax Theatre to the Ford Amphitheatre during rush hour.

Among the big events are an advance screening of the new musical "Mamma Mia!" on Thursday (the film opens nationwide July 18), the unveiling of a painstakingly restored version of the landmark 1978 film "Word Is Out: Stories of Some of Our Lives," and the presentation of the documentary "A Jihad for Love" about the challenges of being gay-lesbian and Muslim.

Some movies have already screened at other festivals but others, like the dramatic comedy "The New Twenty," are making their international debut. The film, co-written and directed by Chris Mason Johnson, is about the lives of five college friends in New York City about to enter new stages in life. It's a perfect example of how gay-themed films are no longer dominated by coming-out stories.

"I was really interested in these buddy films like `American Graffiti' and `Diner,' where you have this group of guys, and 100 percent of the time all the guys are straight, and 100 percent of the time, if there's a gay guy in the movie, it's gonna lead to unrequited love, homophobia, etc.," Johnson said. "So the idea that gay and straight young male friends can get along as friends without that issue coming up is not something movies have addressed - in America at least."

Charlie David, a young Canadian actor who had roles in two movies that screened at Outfest last year ("A Four Letter Word" and "Kiss the Bride") will see the most important film of his career, so far, make its Los Angeles debut on July 18.

"Mulligans," which David stars in, wrote and produced, is described as "The Graduate" for a new generation. His character embarks on a shocking affair with the father of his straight college roommate when he is invited to stay with the friend's family at their lakeside summer home.

"We've been getting such good response from festivals," David said of the film. "We've had a great response from a wide range of ages.

Some of the people were married (to the opposite sex), had kids, then came out later in life.

"We feel really honored to be one of the movies under the stars at the Ford (Amphitheatre)," he said of the outdoor venue. "It's such a colossal venue. We hope to fill all the seats. You can bring a bottle of wine and have a picnic beforehand. We're excited to be able to share our film."

For daily coverage of Outfest 2008, go to Greg Hernandez's Out in Hollywood blog at http://blogs.dailynews.com/outinhollywood

Greg Hernandez, (818) 713-3758 greg.hernandez@dailynews.com

OUTFEST - THE 26TH LOS ANGELES GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL

\>Where: Directors Guild of America (festival headquarters) and seven other locations.

\>When: Wednesday through July 21.

\>Cost: $12 to $18 per movie. Opening night, awards night and closing-night galas cost considerably more.

\>Info: Call (213) 480-7065 or www.outfest.org/fest2008