QFest St. Louis, now in its 19th year, showcases films that illuminate LGBTQ+ lives and celebrate queer culture. Submissions should speak to LGBTQ+ audiences in a clear and intentional way.

QFest is presented by Cinema St. Louis, the organization behind the St. Louis International Film Festival.

Rules & Terms

Conditions for Eligibility:

This is a competitive, curated event, and submission does not guarantee an invitation.

All films must fulfill the following requirements:
1) Be relevant to LGBTQ audiences (featuring LGBTQ characters, themes, creators, or issues at the core of the work).
2) Be fully completed by the entry deadline (NO works-in-progress).
3) Be a St. Louis theatrical premiere, meaning no previous public, ticketed theatrical screening in the St. Louis metro area (St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and adjacent Illinois counties). Private cast-and-crew screenings and educational classroom use do not count as theatrical screenings.
4) Be submitted with English subtitles if in a language other than English.
5) Be submitted with complete entry information and appropriate payment.
6) Not be available for general public streaming or rental (YouTube, Vimeo, iTunes, VOD, etc.) in the St. Louis region before the festival dates. Limited festival-only or geo-blocked screenings may be considered, but priority will be given to true premieres.

IF YOUR FILM IS ACCEPTED, THE FOLLOWING IS REQUIRED. FAILURE TO COMPLY AND MEET DEADLINES WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE REMOVAL FROM THE FESTIVAL

THE HI-POINTE THEATRE ONLY PROJECTS DCPs. ALL SCREENINGS WILL REQUIRE A DCP.

- Signed Filmmaker Agreement by May 11, 2026 that includes an updated film synopsis of no more than 3 sentences, 3 film stills, and other materials necessary to process and promote your film.
- DCP delivery by May 22, 2026 (all screenings will require a DCP)

Entry Procedure:

Provide complete information on Film Freeway. Films should be submitted as secure online screeners on the platform.

All entrants will be notified of the status of their submission by e-mail from Film Freeway no later than May 4, 2026

Notification of acceptance or rejection will not include criticism or feedback specific to your entry.

All invited films must be immediately available for upload or delivery on invitation.

Eligible works must have been completed after January 1, 2024.

Cinema St. Louis (CSL) will not be held responsible for any legal disputes regarding the exhibition of this film. Music rights and all copyright clearances are the sole responsibility of the filmmaker.

Please contact Emmett Williams at Cinema St. Louis for questions and clarifications.

28 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sean Au

    Thank you for inviting "What We Said in the Blackout" to the 18th Annual QFest St. Louis. It was a warm and very supportive experience to show my film at the beautiful venue. Definitely looking forward to bringing my future works here.

    February 2026
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  • Patrick A Riviere

    Grateful to have Artists at the Edge be included in the festival. The communication and social media presence for our film was top notch and we appreciated being highlighted throughout the festival. Thank you for your support of LGBTQIA+ films and filmmakers!

    July 2025
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  • Deborah Craig

    We so appreciated the opportunity to screen at QFest St. Louis. Very warm and responsive communication. An all around pleasure!

    July 2025
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  • Brad Burleson

    QFest St. Louis was an absolute honor for 'Tippi & Barb' to be part of. Though we couldn’t be there in person, the warmth and support from the QFest team could be felt from miles away. The programming was bold, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in the power of queer storytelling.

    A huge thank you to Emmett—gracious, organized, and full of heart. It’s rare to work with someone who makes the process feel so easy and welcoming. We’re incredibly grateful for the care and intention you bring to this festival.

    We hope to join you in person next time. Until then—thank you for amplifying stories that matter.

    June 2025
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  • Richard James Allen

    We really appreciated you screening Samuel Lucas Allen's CUT, a bold look at coming out from different angles. A big thanks for your positive energy and support. from The Physical TV Company, based on unceded Gadigal lands in Sydney, Australia.

    May 2024
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