Our mission is to amplify the voices, vision and works of film that would otherwise struggle to find a mainstream audience but have a significant impact in raising awareness around lives and issues of queer people and queer communities of color. This event will bring people together while celebrating the rich history and bright future of artistic contributions from the LGBTQIA+ BIPOC community in Newark and beyond.

On April 30th-May 3rd, the Newark LGBTQ Community Center along with our community partners will host the fourth annual Newark LGBTQ Film Festival. This Queer Film festival is the first of its kind in the city of Newark and the state of NJ to focus on LGBTQIA+ BIPOC film makers, directors, and actors specifically those from Newark and the surrounding areas. The festival will also hold the shared goal of the center to create a safe, inclusive environment for the LGBTQ community in Newark and beyond!

Awards & Prizes

We will give out an Emerging Filmmaker award to an up and coming filmmaker who shows promise in representing the LGBTQIA+ BIPOC community with their future work.

Rules & Terms

Films should be of interest to, and inclusive of, the LGBTQIA2S+ community - specifically we are looking to highlight films made by BIPOC LGBTQ filmmakers and about topics relevant to the LGBTQ Community in Newark, NJ.

We are accepting feature length films, short films, documentaries and experimental projects for consideration.

If your film is selected for screening you will be sent details about what is needed.

If possible please include a synopsis, film stills, film trailer, production credits, press information, and other collateral regarding your film.

Thank you for submitting! We are looking forward to showcasing your great work in our festival.
10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Erica Soto

    The Newark LGBTQ Film Festival, led by Denise Hinds and her wonderful team, was an incredible experience from start to finish. The festival created such a welcoming and affirming atmosphere, with beautiful, thoughtfully curated events that educated, connected and cultivated growth in the community. The conversations were inspiring, the quality and diversity of the films, which showcased powerful LGBTQIA+ BIPOC stories were moving, and the festival went above and beyond offering food, drinks and community focused social gatherings that brought people together. The space also happened to be GORGEOUS, and a perfect setting for this heartfelt and inspiring festival. I laughed and cried during screenings and had so much fun meeting all the wonderful people attending. I feel lucky to have had my film Someday featured alongside such tremendous talent. It was inspiring to see a festival so dedicated to uplifting underrepresented voices and creating meaningful cultural experiences in the region. Highly recommend!

    June 2026
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  • Kevin Coop

    My team and I had a fabulous time celebrating film and community at Newark LGBTQ Film Festival! Not to mention the audience was wonderful and engaging throughout the screening of Humans of Pride. We won the 2026 Jury Award for Cultural/Social Impact which was great to hear and really means a lot to us. Thank you to Denise and the entire Newark LGBTQ Film Festival team for a great year! Hoping to bring you all more great stories in years to come. Highly recommend everyone apply!

    May 2026
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  • Todo lo demás se borra

    Beautiful! The festival d*** happening, got so much vibe one!

    July 2025
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  • Lisa Thomas

    The Newark LGBTQ film fest is such a great festival. The organizers were beyond welcoming. The audience was super receptive, there was amazing hospitality and really good vibes all around. I even made some industry connections which I did not expect. I'd absolutely recommend this festival to other filmmakers.

    May 2025
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  • Chicahua Zipactonal Martínez

    It was such a nice event! Thank you, Newark LGBTQ Film Festival, for giving "In This Moment" the space to be fully realised. I cannot wait to submit future projects here! Congrats to the other selections! It was fantastic!

    May 2025
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