The Kaleidoscope LGBTQ+ Film Festival is a celebration of LGBTQ+ films, filmmakers, and stories from around the world. With a mission to provide innovative, unique, and diverse programming we hope to engage the hearts and minds of audiences in Arkansas and the surrounding region.

Kaleidoscope observes the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community by presenting stories that reflect, document, and celebrate LGBTQ+ lives truthfully and with respect. The festival demonstrates the power of storytelling and filmmaking to transform lives of those inside and outside the LGBTQ+ community.

Our Kaleidoscope 2020 lineup featured Queer Palm Winner “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” and Nominee “And Then We Danced” (Cannes), Grand Jury Award Winner “Queen of Lapa” (NewFest), Teddy Winner “Paris is Burning” and Nominee “Dry Wind” (BIFF) as well as Official Selections of OutFest “Pier Kids” and “Queer Japan”.

Some of our guests in previous years included Armistead Maupin (The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin), Cheryl Dunye (The Watermelon Woman), Luka Kain (Saturday Church), Assaad Yacoub (Cherry Pop), Graham Kolbeins (Queer Japan), Elegance Bratton (Pier Kids) and Stephen Cone (Princess Cyd).

Entries are eligible for Audience & Juried Awards in the various categories for Narrative and Documentary Features and Shorts.

Awards for Feature Films
Specific Juried and Audience Awards TBD

Awards for Short Films

GRAND JURY AWARDS
Diamond Award
Best U.S. Narrative Short Film
Best International Narrative Short Film
Best Documentary Short Film
Best Student Short Film

AUDIENCE AWARD
Audience Award for Best Short Film

1.Kaleidoscope/Central Arkansas Pride of Little Rock is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen items, including films in any medium, while en-route or in our possession, on or off of festival grounds.

2. Runtimes: Short Films are any films under 40 minutes in length. Feature films will be considered those that are over 40 minutes.

3. Only digital online screener submissions are accepted using FilmFreeway’s digital submission process (Vimeo/YouTube links).

4. All films submitted must be in English dialogue or contain onscreen English subtitles. The festival reserves the right to disqualify any film that does not meet this requirement.

5. More than one entry may be submitted. Each must be submitted with its own entry form and fee.

6. It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to obtain all necessary copyrights. By submitting the film you maintain you have obtained all necessary rights for exhibition.

7. COMPLETION DATE: The film must have been completed on or after January 1, 2017.

8. PREMIERE STATUS: No premiere requirement

9. Works in progress may be submitted but it must be stated on the application. If selected it is the responsibility of the Applicant to ensure the completed version arrives to the festival before the festival begins.

10. Films may have distribution.

11. All submissions are final. No refunds are provided.

Notification of Official Selections will be approximately 6 weeks before screening date.

For films accepted for exhibition, the festival will return any Hard Drives and Blurays if requested. This is for exhibition copies only.

SCHEDULING: Films are scheduled at the discretion of Kaleidoscope. Kaleidoscope retains the right to make changes to the published schedule at any time and for any reason. Films may be screened more than once. Short films may be screened at subsequent screenings for up 12 months. Every effort will be made to contact the filmmaker before a screening that occurs outside of the Kaleidoscope festival dates.

RELEASE Kaleidoscope is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Kaleidoscope from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sarah Carlot Jaber

    Thank you so much ! <3

    May 2022
  • fabio grossi

    Very honored to have been selected with my short film "SOLITUDE" in The Kaleidoscope LGBTQ+ Film Festival.
    Great !
    Thanks Thanks Thanks

    May 2021
  • Thank you for putting on a great event! Very thankful for the opportunity to have been part of the festival!

    February 2021
  • Will Stewart

    I had a wonderful time at this growing festival. The feature film selections were some of the best I've seen. The communication, before, during and after, was handled beautifully by the team. And the hospitality of a Southern town can't be beat. This festival has so much potential and I can't wait til I have something to return to it with.

    November 2019
  • M. Shay Stout

    Had a blast and enjoyed a great slate of films! Can’t wait for next years!

    August 2018