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Are you a filmmaker that identifies as a Queer or Trans and as a Black, ​Indigenous, ​Person of Color (QTBIPOC)? Do you live in Pennsylvania? Have you ever been hesitant to submit film work relating to QTBIPOC subjects because of adverse responses? Look no further!

The Keystone QTBIPOC Short Film Festival, a program of the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown, PA, will take place May 16 and 17, 2025. The Festival centers filmmakers of the Queer or Trans and Black, ​Indigenous, ​Person of Color (QTBIPOC) community in Pennsylvania, and strives to create a platform where they can interact with an audience and present their work in a fun, inclusive, and professional setting that celebrates them.

The 1st Keystone QTBIPOC Short Film Festival is a 2-day event that will culminate with an awards ceremony.

About Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
Vision
We are a community demanding equity and creating a pathway for all LGBTQ+ people to thrive and experience Queer joy.

Mission
Our Center is a radically inclusive Queer space based in the Lehigh Valley. We foster Queer joy & liberation. We provide innovative programs, services and experiences for our LGBTQ+ siblings through connection, education, culture, and healing, while prioritizing the most marginalized populations throughout Pennsylvania.

Awards & Prizes

Best K-12 Submission
Best College Submission
Best Standard Submission
Audience Choice

Rules & Terms

Eligibility Requirements
- Films must center members of the Queer or Trans AND Black, Indigenous, ​Person of Color (QTBIPOC) community and/or at least one of the three main roles (director, writer, producer) is led by a Queer or Trans and Black, Indigenous, ​Person of Color (QTBIPOC).
- We accept films from filmmakers who live or reside in the state of Pennsylvania. (Writer, director, producer, lead actor, or other key creative must be Pennsylvanian).
- We encourage artists of all ages to submit their work. We have separate submission categories that specifically showcase the work of student filmmakers from K - 12 as well as in college. If you are under the age of 18 and your project is accepted, we will require signed, written permission from your parent or legal guardian before your project can be exhibited. (To qualify for student entry fees, entrant must provide a photocopy of a current and valid student ID card).

Submission Guidelines
- All films must have a runtime between 3 and 25 minutes. Student films should not exceed 15 minutes.
- There are no restrictions on production date of the film.
- Each submission must be accompanied by a high res still image (not a poster image) and a 15 word synopsis.
- We encourage you to include a cover note with your submission if possible. We want to know more about you and your film.
- 15 - 30 second trailer for each film
- English subtitles are required, closed caption file can be in .scc, .srt, or .vtt format
- File Formats accepted: mp4/.mov/WMV/.avi/FLV
- There is a maximum of (2) submissions allowed. Each entry must be submitted on its own and include a separate entry form and entry fee.
- We would appreciate filmmakers to fill out a brief demographic survey to help the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center better understand the community we serve and find areas where we can improve. Your answers will be confidential and will not have any bearing on your standing in the selection process. We will be able to refine programming, and obtain funding for upcoming projects with the use of survey data.

Films that do not fit the eligibility requirements will be subject to disqualification. There is a non-refundable entry fee for submitting films to Keystone QTBIPOC Short Film Festival. The fee amount and payment details are provided on the right hand side of this FilmFreeway page.