Outfest begins its return, renewed and ready! As we continue to rebuild and refocus, we're thrilled to present OutfestNEXT 2026 — a powerful weekend of cinema celebrating the resilience, joy, and artistry of LGBTQ+ storytelling. Dates for the event are tentatively scheduled for July 23rd through 26th, though these dates are to be confirmed, and subject to change.

OutfextNEXT is seeking submissions for completed short films, ideally 15 minutes in length or less, produced no earlier than 2025. At this time, we are unable to consider rough cuts or works-in-progress.

Founded in 1982 and based in Los Angeles, Outfest champions LGBTQ+ storytelling through film, education, and community. This includes film festivals and year-round screenings, artist development programs, and community events. We believe in the power of story to create meaningful cultural change.

Experience emotionally impactful contemporary, independent queer films including award-winning features and shorts, engaging conversations, and anniversary screenings of beloved classics from our archives. Each film has been carefully chosen to inspire, affirm, and unite our community during these crucial times.

Born from Resistance, Built for Tomorrow
NEXT honors our revolutionary roots. In 1982, we began as an act of defiance on the UCLA campus — a single weekend of screenings held despite administrative opposition. Today, as our community faces renewed challenges, Outfest reclaims its founding spirit: creating vital spaces where we gather, celebrate our truths, and stand strong together.

‍Your Voice, Our Future
This is more than screenings — it's a rallying cry and a homecoming. NEXT launches a collective vision of queer storytelling: fluid, genre-breaking, and radically present. It’s a space where strength and empowerment aren’t just themes, but shared experiences. This is where creative futures take shape — not behind closed doors, but in community, in collaboration, and in full view.

Rules & Terms

Films should center LGBTQ+ main characters/communities. Work that is created by LGBTQ+ artists is ideal; those that are not should include within an artist's statement details of the collaborative efforts made on the part of filmmakers to authentically represent the community depicted in the work.

We are seeking narrative and non-fiction short films, ideally under 15 minutes length. Films must have been produced no earlier than January 1st, 2025.

Upon acceptance, Outfest will provide information on the exhibition format needed. Please note that this format will likely be DCP, and the filmmaker should prepare to have one created if they do not already have one for their film.

IF THE FILMMAKER CANNOT PROVIDE THE CORRECT FORMAT WITHIN OUR NEEDED TIMEFRAME, THE FILM WILL NOT BE SCREENED.

At this time, we are unable to consider rough cuts or works-in-progress.

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 event. 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 high resolution.

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

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

SHORT FILMS
Short films are ideally 15 minutes or under, and can be no longer than 30 minutes in length
Narrative, documentary, animated, and experimental films welcome
No premiere requirement; however, we greatly prefer Los Angeles premieres
While short films available online in their entirety are technically eligible, strong preference is given to films not freely available online.

EPISODICS
Episodic content created for broadcast television and/or streaming, including pilots
Episode total runtime ideally under 15 minutes
Narrative, documentary, animated, and experimental content welcome
No premiere requirement; however, we greatly prefer Los Angeles premieres

MUSIC / PERFORMANCE VIDEOS
No premiere requirement; however, we greatly prefer Los Angeles premieres
If accepted, we ask that content available online in their entirety be taken down until after their screening at Outfest NEXT if possible

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA COLLECTION
To help Outfest track our outreach and identify opportunities for us to improve our impact, we appreciate your participation in a short demographic survey. This information is confidential and your answer will not affect your advancement in our selection process. Survey data will help us identify gaps in support and secure funding for future projects.

CERTIFICATION
I have read and agree to the festival submission and participation requirements and certify that I am authorized to submit this film to OutfestNEXT. 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.