The Desperado LGBTQ+ Film and Arts Festival is an event hosted by a PVCC student organization. Desperado’s mission is to showcase quality films that are related to the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community.

Our 16th Annual Festival will be held January 24-26, 2025.

Audience Award (Docs and Narratives are in one group), Short Film Audience Award - no monetary prize.

The filmmaker must provide a digital download in an MP4 or MOV format.

Once a film is submitted, it may not be withdrawn.

Desperado must have permission to use up to 3 minutes of footage or photographic stills from the work for broadcast, web publication, or other promotional purposes.

Desperado must be notified in writing of any press or photo restrictions.

Titles produced in languages other than English must have legible English subtitles.

The festival kindly requests that any awards won be mentioned in the projects' promotional materials.

The selection committee's decisions are final.

By submitting your film via FilmFreeway you acknowledge that the festival will not pay to present your work.

The entry fee is non-refundable.

If you are a student filmmaker, you may be eligible for a discounted submission rate. To obtain a discount code, applicants will need to email desperadofilmfest@gmail.com with a copy of your valid, current student ID before submitting.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Robert Vaughn

    Alan and his team are brilliant. They run an amazing festival and I've been to a lot --- the logistics and organization here are for sure a cut above. They have a really engaged audience. We were honoured by the Audience Award which was amazing, but this is a festival definitely worth entering. Thanks, Desperado LGBTQ+!

    February 2024
  • Alex Sangha

    I am so grateful that my debut feature documentary was a part of your wonderful festival. Thank you so much for selecting Emergence: Out of the Shadows.

    October 2021
  • Gisela Chicolino

    A festival of this topic is really a necessary one. Please keep working on generating this exquisite programming for the audiences.

    October 2021
  • Atlas Woods-Smith

    Excellent communication, and all-around a great time.

    May 2021
  • Love this festival! So honored to be a part of it!

    April 2021