----- ELIGIBILITY -----
The International Queer Women of Color Film Festival accepts films of any length, genre, and subject matter that are created by LBTQIA+ BIPOC directors between 2023 to 2026.
FILMMAKERS
Films MUST be created by an individual that identifies as LBTQIA+ BIPOC: African Descent/Black; Native American; First Nations & Indigenous; Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander; Southwest Asian, Middle Eastern, Arab, North African, South Asian; Asian, Southeast Asian, Central Asian; Chicanx & Latinx, including indígena and afrodescendiente; and multi-ethnic lesbian, bisexual women, asexual women, queer women of color (both cisgender & transgender), and Two Spirit, intersex, and nonbinary, agender, gender nonconforming, and transgender people of color (of any orientation).
Submissions from allies are not accepted at this time.
FILMS
- Year of completion: 2023 to 2026
- Any length: shorts, features, or episodic
- Any genre: narrative, documentary, experimental, or mixed
- Any subject matter
----- SUBMISSION GUIDELINES -----
SUBMISSIONS
- FREE submissions: $0 - no cost
Free submissions accepted from October 1 to December 31, 2025 at no cost.
- Late Submissions fee: $50
Late submissions accepted between January 1 and January 20, 2026 for a $50 fee.
- If your submission form is incomplete, your film will NOT be considered for QWOCFF.
SCREENERS
- Digital screener required: 1920x1080 HD .mp4 or .mov preferred
- Screeners must at least be a rough cut
- If you submit a rough cut, a fine cut is due January 20, 2026.
EXHIBITION COPY
- Exhibition Copy of films are due February 23, 2026.
- Format: Apple ProRes 422 HQ
- Container: MOV
- Resolution: 1920x1080p
- Open Captions: English, burnt into the file
FilmFreeway PROJECT DETAILS
In your FilmFreeway PROJECT, make sure that the following fields are filled out.
In addition, you MUST fill out our form.
- Project Information
Brief Synopsis
Website/Social Media Links
- Submitter Information
Email
Phone
Address
Gender
- Credits
Producer
Director
- Specifications
Project Type (eg, experimental, documentary, feature)
Genres
Runtime
Completion Date
Country of Filming
Language (spoken in film)
- Screenings/Distribution
List previous screenings & awards
- 3 high-resolution (300 dpi) film stills uploaded to FilmFreeway
----- ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS -----
Upholding QWOCMAP's long-standing commitment to disability justice, all films are required to have English Open Captions for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. Additionally, we work with filmmakers to have selected films Audio Described for the Blind and Low Vision. This comprehensive approach ensures that all attendees can fully participate in and appreciate the cinematic experience.
OPEN CAPTIONS
- Films must be submitted with English Open Captions
- This is the responsibility of filmmakers
- Open Captions, also known as Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, are written text that appears on-screen describing the sounds of a film. Open Captions include spoken words, identify speakers, and describe other sounds. If a film has no dialogue, the Open Captions describe music and other ambient sounds or sound effects. Open Captions are embedded into a film; they are always displayed on screen and cannot be turned off.
- We do NOT accept .SRT files.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION
- If you have an audio description file, please include it in your submission
- If your film is selected and you do not have an audio description file, QWOCMAP will cover this cost. Selected filmmakers must fill out an audio description form about their film.
- Audio Description is the verbal narration of key visual content in a film; it allows people who are Blind and Low Vision to hear what is seen on screen. Audio Description is timed to fit between the film's dialogue and may describe the location, characters, meaningfully important visuals and actions, and symbolism or cultural traditions.
IMAGE DESCRIPTIONS
- Submissions must include image descriptions for film stills
- All photos and graphics on QWOCMAP email blasts, social media posts, and website pages include image descriptions for people who use screen readers and/or are Blind and Low Vision. Image descriptions describe the essential information that appears in a still image, including any text on a graphic.
----- SELECTION CRITERIA -----
Films MUST be created by LBTQIA+ BIPOC in order to be considered.
Films will be selected based on originality, artistic quality, and relevance to QWOCMAP’s mission of uplifting the stories of queer women of color (cisgender and transgender), and nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and transgender people of color (of any orientation).
Priority is given to films that address social justice issues, challenge dominant narratives, and present authentic, nuanced depictions of LBTQIA+ BIPOC experiences.
All decisions made by the selection committee are final.
Filmmakers will be notified of festival selection by late February 2026.
----- RIGHTS & CLEARANCES -----
Filmmakers are responsible for securing all necessary rights and permissions for music, images, and content featured in their films.
By submitting, filmmakers grant QWOCMAP the right to use clips, stills, and information from the film for promotional purposes.
