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 QTBIPOC 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 center LGBTQIA+ people of color and provide a platform to amplify our voices. The mission of Outfest Fusion is not only to amplify these voices but also provide access and resources specific to the needs of the QTBIPOC community. The programming at Outfest Fusion exists to directly close and challenge the systemic access gap for LGBTQIA+ people of color.

In 2022, Fusion will include a robust digital program as well as theatrical screenings and other 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 trans BIPOC 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 25th, 2022. 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.

You are also encouraged to enclose a synopsis, production credits, director bio, 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 to Outfest Fusion. I understand that, in the event this work is selected for the festival, we will retain a physical or digital copy at the UCLA Film & Television Archive as part of the 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.
19 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Rachel Rambaldi

    Being at Outfest was incredible. The care and thought that went into every step of the process were deeply felt. Thank you for such a wholesome experience. It was such an honor to get to be a part of it.

    April 2022
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  • johaira michelle

    By far the best experience I have had at a film festival. Truly made sure I felt special, appreciated and had an abundance of networking events. I would highly recommend

    April 2022
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  • Dave Quantic

    Outfest is the gold standard of queer film fests and Fusion has the added benefit of being more intimate and providing more opportunities for BIPOC films and filmmakers to rise above the crowded landscape of queer film content. The administration and programmers try hard to connect filmmakers to each other and audiences and, even though I am not personally BIPOC (my doc short features a POC narrator), I understand the importance of festivals like Fusion and I still felt welcome and valued. I look forward to participating in more Fusions in the future!

    April 2022
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  • Lovell Holder

    I can't say enough good things about Outfest Fusion - the quality of the content was exceptional across the board, and we were so proud to have our film included in the lineup. Moreover, the festival team strived at every possible moment to give the filmmakers access and opportunity to make the most of their time at the festival through events and panels. The festival is truly exceptional and excellent.

    April 2022
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  • Ley Comas

    Really grateful and happy to be part of this film festival. I love everything about it

    June 2021
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