QFest opens with this charming, funny and intimate story of a gay man’s journey of self-discovery. When his life hits a rut in Paris, Jérôme decides to travel to L.A. for sun and fun. Instead, he is immediately immersed with wacky Left Coast characters and even odder situations.

Jason Bushman's feature debut (his short Serene Hunter screened at PIGLFF last year) is a charmingly loving tale of a sweet Parisian lost in the wilds of gay L.A. The story begins in a black-and-white Paris where Jérôme (Eric Debets) still holds a candle for his ex, who moved onto other boys long ago. Deciding that he needs a fresh outlook on life, Jérôme packs his bags and heads for Hollywood, where he intends to follow his dream of becoming an actor. Landing in L.A. the film shifts to color and a seedy Hollywood motel. The very adorable and naive Jérôme takes a long bus journey to the beach where he meets Ross (Chad Allen), a temptingly hot stoner. But our boy won't be tied down that quickly. On Santa Monica Blvd. he chats up tranny hooker Kaleesha (Diarra Kilpatrick), who falls in love immediately with our wandering naïf. She takes him to her home, where boarders seem to come and go. Jérôme settles in and goes on a few auditions, completely unprepared for the insane world of the bottom reaches of show business. With his world thrown upside down, the young man must decide if this is the world for him. Kudos go to star Eric Debets and writer/director Jason Bushman for creating this superbly entertaining film. The gentle humanity and humor of Hollywood je t’aime is a perfect way to kick off QFest 2009! (English and French with English subtitles) -- Scott Cranin