The Long Beach QFilm Festival (QFilms) is the city's oldest film festival and the only film festival dedicating to showcasing the rich diversity of LGBTQ stories. For nearly 30 years, this event has been welcoming thousands of movie lovers, industry professionals, and community members to attend screenings, parties, mixers, and Q&As with filmmakers. QFilms is the second largest LGBTQ cultural event in Long Beach and the LGBTQ cultural event of the year, every year!

QFilms is held by The LGBTQ Center Long Beach, a community organization serving 25,000 people a year. The LGBTQ Center Long Beach advances equity for LGBTQ people through culturally responsive advocacy, education, programs, and services.

All films selected to screen at QFilms can use “Official Selection of 2023 QFilm Festival” logo sent to filmmakers upon invitation to screen at festival.

QFilms presents Jury Awards. Awards include:

Men's Content Category
1. Best Feature Length Narrative Film
2. Best Feature Length Documentary Film
3. Best Short Film

Women's Content Category
1. Best Feature Length Narrative Film
2. Best Feature Length Documentary Film
3. Best Short Film

Queer or Trans Content Category
1. Best Feature Length Narrative Film
2. Best Feature Length Documentary Film
3. Best Short Film

Overall Awards (across all content categories):
1. Best Feature Length Narrative Film
2. Best Feature Length Documentary Film
3. Best Short Film
4. Film of the Year

Unfortunately, cash prizes are not available at this time.

Long Beach QFilm Festival accepts no responsibility for loss or damage of entries during shipment to or from the Long Beach QFilm Festival

1. Entries must be received no later than July 1st, 2023.

2. Screening Copies: Entrants must submit online screener for consideration. QFilms includes virtual and physical aspects of the festival. We are using Eventive for the virtual aspect of the festival. If your film is chosen to be in the virtual aspect of the festival, the screening formats accepted are .mov and .mp4. The theatre for the physical aspect of the festival requires DCP. If your film is chosen to be in the physical aspect of the festival, the screening formats accepted are DCP, .mov and .mp4.

3. All entries must be in English or contain English subtitles.

4. NO PAYMENT WILL BE OFFERED for the inclusion of any film. Filmmakers waive the right to charge a fee for the use of their film in this Festival.

5. For publications purposes, if your film is selected for screening entrants must be prepared to supply at least three electronic images (publicity stills) either in jpeg or PDF format, 300 dpi, film description for program, and link to trailer or film clips for promotional purposes. NOTE: Only electronic images will be accepted for the official festival program. We also encourage submitting as much publicity material that is available and a complete credit list. Any materials that entrants wish to be seen by the programming committee should be submitted with this application.

6. Students must include proof of student status at the time of submission (i.e. copy of valid student I.D.).

SHIPPING
The cost of shipping an entry to the festival must be paid by the entrant. Collect or C.O.D. shipment will not be accepted. All international entries must be sent "free domicile" to the Festival office with all transportation charges, duties, and taxes prepaid by the shipper. All payments must be made in US currency. Any brokerage fees charged to the QFilm Festival will be billed back to the shipper. Be sure to include all the proper customs documentation required by the shipping company.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • The festival staff are so warm and inviting. They light up when they meet filmmakers, and it sets the stage for a fun experience.

    My producers and I would have liked clearer communication leading up to the festival, and a little more space between films would have made it easier to see more work while also getting to socialize and network with other filmmakers in-between. But the overall experience was fantastic, and the ice cream social was great!

    October 2022
  • Great festival with wonderful films. Getting back into the swing of things after COVID

    September 2022
  • The Long Beach QFilm Festival is a great experience for filmmakers and audiences. Most importantly to me is the connection to The LGBTQ Center Long Beach and the important work they do in the community.

    September 2022
  • Gisela Chicolino

    Festivals like this are really the necessary ones. Please keep working on generating this exquisite content for the audiences. The team is such adorable people, thanks for your love and hard work!

    October 2021
  • Richard E Haywood

    amazing can't wait to go next year.

    October 2020