Out Film CT is a nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to presenting outstanding LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) cinema throughout the year, culminating in the nine-day Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival. Connecticut's longest-running film festival holds a special place in our state’s cultural landscape, bringing the community together to introduce, celebrate and rediscover the ideas and values that make the LGBTQ community unique. The Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival, celebrating its 40th year in 2027, is also one of the longest-running and most respected queer film festivals in the U.S.

In 2026, Out Film CT became a nominating festival for the Iris Prize, the largest LGBTQ+ short film prize in the world.

Awards & Prizes

Audience Award - Best Feature Film
Audience Award - Best Documentary
Audience Award - Best Short Film
Jury Award - Best Feature Film
Jury Award - Best Documentary
Jury Award - Best Short Film
Director's Award
Rising Star Award
Iris Prize Nomination

Audience and Jury awards include cash prizes up to $500.

Rules & Terms

ENTRIES MUST CONTAIN LGBTQ CONTENT. Entries are accepted starting in July for the following June festival. Entries must be received by March 1 of the festival year. Due to the high volume of entries, we strongly encourage early submissions. Screeners received after March 1 will be considered for the next festival year. We accept rough cuts and working versions, but they must be submitted by the entry deadline.

By submitting, you certify that you hold the necessary rights for public exhibition. Out On Film is granted a non-exclusive license to use an excerpt of up to two minutes of your film for promotional purposes only.

All films submitted to Out Film CT are considered for inclusion in our virtual festival platform. Virtual screenings are geoblocked to the United States and limited to a set number of views, determined solely by Out Film CT. By submitting, you agree to these terms. Requests to withdraw from virtual programming after acceptance may result in disqualification.
24 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Clara Marshall

    What a gem of a festival. Communication was friendly, helpful, and quick. It was a pleasure to share Clam Diving for Beginners with your audience.

    June 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Clara! Your film brought such fun energy to the night! Loved it! We look forward to seeing your future work. :)

  • Ally Canizares

    We are so grateful to have shared our short film CHURCH GIRL with audiences at OutFilm CT! Everyone we interacted with from beginning to end was warm, communicative, and kind. Beautiful venue, great energy from audience members, festival team, and vendors. Thoughtfully curated shorts block and Q&A, with a virtual component as well. We will definitely be sure to submit any future projects to OutFilm CT.

    June 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Ally! It was so amazing you could come up for the screening to share in the experience! Our audience loved the film, and enjoyed hearing your insights about the film. Hope you get to enjoy the festival circuit this year! We look forward to seeing your future projects. :)

  • Grant Vidgen

    It was great to be able to share Never Never Never with your audiences. Communication was great and the screening venue was amazing.

    June 2026
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Grant! Our audience loved Never Never Never. The Iris Prize is obviously doing a great job of supporting queer storytelling and filmmaking. Thanks so much for coming to visit our festival - it was great meeting you!

  • Eric O Carson

    Excellent festival, amazing venue. Communication with organizers couldn't have been better.

    July 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks for sharing your important film! It was a pleasure working with you, and we hope to see you again next year!

  • Deborah Craig

    The Sally! film so appreciated being in the Connecticut LGBTQ Festival. Great communication and feedback. Glad for the virtual component that allowed us to be featured.

    July 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much for sharing your film with our audience! They really enjoyed learning about such an icon of LGBTQ history. And the online Q&A with Odine Rarey was fantastic! Thanks for participating in our festival.