From Frankenstein to Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and from Catherine Deneuve's Miriam to The Babadook, the transgression of horror has often skewed a little...queer. We're flinging open the closet door and spotlighting the rainbow end of the horror spectrum. Gays lost in the woods? We're into it. Lesbian vampires? We want them (really, call us). Trans Final Girls? Send them in. Experimental animation through a queer lens? We're here for it. Like gender identity, our definition of horror is pretty fluid. Sci-fi, thrillers, fantasy, documentary, and cinematic experiments are all welcome. If your story faces down the darkness in the world or within, we probably want to see it.

Be part of the world's only exclusively queer horror film festival! We set ourselves apart by building a community dedicated to queer creators and queer stories, from the campy to the truly skin-crawling. Horror has always embraced The Other, and queer folx around the world know a thing or two about being Othered. But we're not alone.

This year, we're celebrating creators on the screen and on the page. We founded this festival to support indie creators and to lift up the best queer stories. This year, we're proud to announce that our judge's top picks for Best Horror Short, Best Feature, Audience Choice, Best Short Screenplay, and Best Feature Screenplay will all receive cash prizes.

Our second annual event in 2022 will be a hybrid festival, with online screening as well as in-person screenings at a/perture cinema in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature Film | Prize: $250
Best Short Film | Prize: $150
Best Student Film | Prize: $150
Audience Choice Film | Prize: $150
Best Feature Screenplay | Prize: $250

Rules & Terms

Films and screenplays should be made by LGBT+ and queer creators, and/or center LGBT+ and queer characters and stories. Films do not need "queer content" to be considered.

LGBT+ includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, nonbinary, pansexual, asexual, genderfluid, and other identities. Queer is an umbrella term that encompasses all of these identities, and any identities that fall between or outside these labels.

We accept films of all styles and modes: narrative, documentary, experimental, animation, and hybrid.

Rules:
- Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2019.
- By submitting, you agree that you are the owner or have the permission of the owner of the film submitted and all contents within. We love fan films, but we can't screen them.
- Films must be either in English or subtitled in English.
- We are unable to screen pornography.
- Filmmakers may submit multiple projects, but an individual entry must be submitted for each project.
- Submitted films are considered the final finished versions of those films by the Festival (no “in progress” projects).
- All film submission fees are non-refundable.
- There is no guarantee that films submitted will be selected for Festival screening.

Premiere status is not required.
10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tim Connolly

    An absolute delight! I was able to screen my film “Mystery Solved” with Queer Fear this year, and had such an incredible experience. Tiffany and the entire staff were so delightful and so enthusiastic about the work shared at the festival. Our Q&A was amazing, both in person and virtual, and I felt so welcomed, respected and supported by everyone involved! Will absolutely be back in the future. If you’re looking for somewhere to submit, do it here! They are the best!

    October 2022
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  • Shoshana Rosenbaum

    I attended remotely. Really appreciated this festival's programming, and the fact that they made time for thoughtful Q&A's after each screening block. Would definitely submit again!

    October 2022
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  • Mark J. Parker

    Great festival! Not only is the title and logo of this festival one of my personal faves, but Tiffany, Anna, and the Queer Fear team were so nice, supportive, and communicative (which isn't all that common). I was honored to have my short film Twin play here, and grateful for the opportunity to do a virtual Q&A on Zoom with a couple other filmmakers from my block. Great shorts selection! Thank you all!

    October 2022
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  • Mae Hoffman

    Had a great experience with the staff of QF 2022. Great economic accessibility, reasonable scheduling, and a great central theme. Hoping to see them again next year.

    October 2022
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  • Aaliyah Janay

    Queer Fear was so fun! The festival was full of amazing selections. The organizers and director contributed so much time and patience to the festival--and as a filmmaker, I felt at home and blessed to be apart of the spooky fun this year!

    October 2022
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