Outfest is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit arts organization dedicated to creating, sharing, and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and genderqueer media.

The Outfest Fusion Film Festival was born in 2004 out of a grassroots movement by Outfest alumni filmmakers to promote social change through the power of film. Since then, Fusion has continued to bring the city's multicultural communities together to celebrate LGBTQ people of color and provide a platform to amplify our voices. Every year at Fusion the under-represented QTPOC community is able to see themselves represented on the big screen.

In 2021, Fusion will include a full and robust digital program as well as possible live and in-person events (as regulations allow), featuring thought-provoking films, filmmaking workshops and masterclasses, a one minute movie contest, and industry networking opportunities.

Rules & Terms

Films should be of interest to the queer and POC communities. We are seeking narrative, documentary, experimental, and animated films (features and shorts, as well as series). Upon acceptance, Outfest will provide information on the exhibition format needed. IF THE FILMMAKER CANNOT PROVIDE THE CORRECT FORMAT WITHIN OUR NEEDED TIMEFRAME, THE FILM WILL NOT BE SCREENED.

Rough cuts and works-in-progress are eligible for submission if the completed film will be ready for QC by February 1st, 2021. The screener copy should have a title card that labels it as a “Rough Cut” and specifies what is missing (i.e. temp sound, needs color correction, etc).

By submitting your work to Outfest, you grant to Outfest a non-exclusive license to use an excerpt of your submission, if accepted, of up to two minutes in length, for promotional purposes only in perpetuity.

Still photos from your work are requested with your submission and are required for all films selected for the festival. Good stills make a difference in film placement and press coverage, particularly for short films. Even the shortest short can get press coverage or festival prominence with a captivating still. Stills must be in TIFF or JPEG format and 300dpi (dots per inch).

You are also encouraged to enclose a synopsis, production credits, press information, and other collateral regarding your film.

CERTIFICATION
I have read and agree to the festival submission and participation requirements and certify that I am authorized to submit this film or video to Outfest Fusion. I understand that, in the event this work is selected for the festival, we will retain a physical submission or back-up copy at the UCLA Film & Television Archive as part of Outfest UCLA Legacy Project. I hold Outfest harmless from damage to or loss of the print en route or otherwise during the course of the festival’s possession of the film or video.
7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Miguel Angel Caballero

    Amazing! The team, staff, volunteers all root for filmmakers. It was such a great experience to screen at Fusion. Wonderful all around! Highly recommend!

    October 2020
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  • Tobit Raphael

    An invaluable experience for emerging filmmakers of color that identify under the LGBTQ spectrum. I appreciated the quality of the films, the variety, and the opportunities given to network with fellow professionals. I highly recommend this festival to anyone in love with cinema. It's also a beautifully attended event :) Thank you!

    June 2020
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  • Che Che Luna

    Having my short as a part of Outfest Fusion 2020 was life changing. The medicine that came from being in community, sharing stories and connecting through our art has touched me so deeply. Thank you Outfest for creating this space to mobilize change in the places we need it most.

    March 2020
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  • Donta Storey

    We had an amazing time showcasing our fun at Fusion! The film blocks were really diverse in genre and the networking opportunities were great ways to meet other filmmakers of color! I enjoyed the fusion, and will be supporting Outfest in a few months. The programmers were awesome with communicating and getting the filmmakers all of the information we needed during a hectic time.

    March 2020
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  • Festival Formula

    Incredible festival! We're chuffed to bits our clients Sununú: The Revolution Of Love and Home Girl screened here. Outfest were friendly communicators and provided a quality programme. Keep up the awesome work.

    May 2019
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