ImageOut is a premier LGBTQ+ film festival in New York State. We present LGBTQ+ arts and cultural experiences showcasing films, other creative works and artists to promote awareness, foster dialogue and build community. Our vision is for ImageOut to be recognized and respected as a major arts and cultural organization enriching the community by celebrating and bringing visibility to LGBTQ+ artists and themed work.
In 2020, ImageOut adapted to the limitations imposed by the pandemic by hosting a full program of films on our Eventive virtual platform during our regular schedule -- without delays, cancellations, or scaling back. In fact, the Festival was bigger than ever, including a film screening on a boat cruise along the Erie Canal and a pop-up drive-in experience. In 2021, we went hybrid and provided both virtual and in-person cinematic experiences to our audience. We also added ImageOut First Cut, our spring edition, in May last year so we can screen many films that were getting released before October.
For 2022, we are hosting our second ImageOut First Cut film festival from April 30 to May 8 and it will be mostly films that distributors will be releasing before fall. This submission page will still be mainly for our October film festival which we are planning once again to be a hybrid event.
ImageOut is an Iris Prize partner and is one of the few select LGBTQ+ film festivals from around the world who can outrightly nominate a film for the Iris Prize Shorts Film Competition in Cardiff, Wales. It is one of the richest shorts film competition in the world.
The festival awards Jury Prizes for Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, and Best Short. The audiences also vote for their favorites and Audience Prizes are given for Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, and Best Short. All feature-length films receive a $500 cash prize along with a commemorative certificate. Short films receive $250 cash prize and certificate.
FLOWER CITY FLICKS: Short films by local and area filmmakers can also compete in a juried competition with the winner receiving $500 cash prize and certificate. This is to encourage LGBTQ+ filmmaking in Western New York.
Short film submissions will also be considered for possible nomination to the Iris Prize competition in Cardiff, Wales.
