"They're baaaaack!" proclaims the publicity and programme booklets for this year's Out in Africa gay and lesbian film festival, and once again the country's longest-running alternative film festival is packed with films and parties as "they" take over Joburg and Cape Town for two weeks.

The festival offers a host of Oscar nominees and award-winning films exploring themes of betrayal, homophobia, celebration and pure camp enjoyment. There is also a strong selection of local films on the bill.

Opening with Loose Cannons, Italian director Ferzan Ozpetek's family comedy full of intrigue, family secrets and eccentric personalities, the festival includes Lisa Cholodenko's The Kids are Alright, starring Annette Bening and Julianne Moore as a lesbian couple going through the ups and downs of raising a family.

The much-anticipated I Killed my Mother , Canada's Best Foreign Film Oscar nomination about a gay teenager, will also be shown.

On the local front, look out for documentaries There Comes a Time and Joan and Verne's Wedding. The first examines discrimination in the Methodist Church and the second the issue of gay marriage.

Visit www.oia.co.za for details. -

Johannesburg: October 14 to November 7 at Hyde Park Nu Metro and The Bioscope, 286 Fox Street

Cape Town: October 21 to November 7 at V&A Waterfront Nu Metro and The Foxy on Broadway, 44 Long Street