From the creators of the NOLA Horror Film Fest (selected as one of the "World's 50 Best Genre Film Festivals" by MovieMaker Magazine) comes QUEER SCREAMS FILM FESTIVAL. QUEER SCREAMS is a celebration of LGBTQ+ genre cinema from emerging and established queer artists within the community – locally, nationally and internationally. The festival will present opportunities to connect with LGBTQ+ horror/sci-fi/fantasy/thriller fans through film screenings, as well as personal interaction. We strive to contribute to an evergrowing community of genre film lovers by engaging in “the conversation” and the pursuit of positive queer representation in media.

QUEER SCREAMS is an “In Person” ONLY film festival with LIVE screenings. The festival proper is Saturday & Sunday, with a special theater sponsored genre (classic) screening Friday night. QSFF will present (but not be limited to): Live film screenings. Filmmaker’s Q&A. Special event screening. Award ceremony brunch. Networking opportunities. Special guests. Filmmakers of selected films receive two complimentary festival badges for ALL (festival sponsored) film screenings and events.

Visiting filmmakers can expect to experience the beauty and awesomeness of Portland, OR. Portland is a vibrant and scenic city, famed for its huge expanses of green space, from parks and forests to breathtaking mountaintops. Portland is best known for being a sustainability-minded, bike-friendly city with easy access to nature; plentiful coffee, art, craft beer, delicious food. And of course its slogan “Keep Portland Weird.”

ABOUT THE CLINTON STREET THEATER
A landmark of Portland cinema history, The Clinton Street Theater is one of the oldest operating movie houses in the United States. The Clinton Street Theater has always been about community. Famous for its long-standing exhibition of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, the theater is currently a magnet for independent/revival films, live music, theater productions, dance performances, sex positive theater & film, drag shows, comedy, burlesque, and more.

QUEER SCREAMS ACCEPTS ALL SUB-GENRES
Horror / Science Fiction / Fantasy / Thriller / Suspense / Action / Gothic / Horror Comedy / B-Movie / Campy Genre / Genre Documentary / Genre Music Video

It's time to scream, Queens!

Best In Show (Feature or Short)
Best Director
Best Lead Performance
Best Supporting Performance
Best Writing
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Effects (Visual or Makeup)

*[Please read the Rules & Terms BEFORE submitting]

TERMS:
By submitting to QUEER SCREAMS through FilmFreeway, you are stating that the work is original and owned by the submitter, and is not the subject of any disputes regarding ownership. You are also stating that there is no defamation, invasion of privacy, violation of rights of publicity, intellectual property infringement or similar violation of law.

You understand that your entry is valid only upon completion of the following conditions: (1) receipt of a copy of the work, (2) the processing of the entry fee by the festival organization, and (3) when the work is found to be original and owned by you or those you represent.

While we understand that you retain all rights to ownership of the work, if selected, you hereby give the QUEER SCREAMS permission to feature, advertise, display, in whole or in part, the work for festival purposes, including promotion.

SUBMISSION QUALIFIER:
Queer Screams Film Festival is an LGTBQ+ GENRE festival. That means, in order for a film to be in consideration, it MUST be both:
1. A "Genre Film" (i.e. Horror/Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Thriller/Horror Comedy/Etc). NON-genre films will NOT be considered.
2. Made by LGBTQ+ identifying filmmakers OR present LGBTQ+ themes or a character who identifies as LGBTQ+. (Clarification: The subject matter of the film does not have to be LGBTQ+ as long as some major members of the creative team identify as LGBTQ+. Also, a film with LGBTQ+ themes can be made by a “straight ally”.)
Please make sure that films qualify BEFORE submitting as submission fees are not refundable.

RULES:
1. All films must be submitted via online screener.
2. There is no completion date. QUEER SCREAMS accepts films from ANY YEAR.
3. NO Premiere Status required.
4. Feature films can have a distribution deal, but should not be available online prior to the festival dates.
5. Foreign films (in their original language) must be presented with English language subtitles.
6. Student rate submissions require proof of enrollment (during production). Entries by filmmakers under 18 years of age must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian.
7. The festival does not provide transportation or lodging for filmmakers.
8. QUEER SCREAMS does not pay screening fees.
9. Submission fees are non-refundable.

SUBMISSION FEE INFORMATION:
Detailed information on submission fees (and why film festivals charge them) can be found on the QUEER SCREAMS website on the SUBMIT Page.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Andrew Frink

    Queer Screams Film Festival is by far the most communicative and accommodating festival I've had the pleasure of showing a film at.

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for the glowing review, Andrew. It was a pleasure showing your film to our audience. :-)

  • Despite not being able to attend, this festival gave me an audience for my film and I am very grateful for how kind they were throughout the process:)

    September 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Hey Lou. Thank you for sharing your film with us. It was an honor to screen it. And thanks for the review. :-) Keep up the amazing work.

  • Jensen Rule Tierra

    I was thrilled and honored to be included in this festival with my short "The Seance".

    J.T. Seaton, the festival director is a passionate and wildly experienced professional and the festival was exciting and fun. You can't beat live appearances from horror icons like Elvira, Sam Irvin and Lynn Lowry.

    It was a great time visiting Portland for the first time and the festival was warm and welcoming. The community came out to support this fledgling festival.

    The selected films ran the gamut of styles and subgenres. Saw some truly amazing movies and got to meet and make a few new friends with the fellow filmmakers who made the trek to lovely Portland.

    For the past few years, queer horror has been having a moment and this festival is an excellent showcase for the burgeoning movement.

    If you have a movie that is queer and horror, please support and submit to this raucous and already iconic festival!

    September 2023
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    Response from festival:

    We hope that we can live up to being a raucous and iconic festival. LOL! :-) With films (and participation) like yours, we CAN! Thank you so much for making the journey to Portland. And for actively being involved in the festival and events.

  • What an honor to have my short horror fan film Your Last Summer screen in person at the first ever Queer Screams Film Festival! JT was great to work with, great communication. Unfortunately I couldn't be there in person, but it was super smooth from my remote perspective. Thank you!

    September 2023
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    Response from festival:

    You'll definitely have to come out in person next time. :-) It was a blast screening your film, and it was very well received. Thank you again for trusting us with "Your Last Summer".

  • Thom Hilton

    I was so thrilled to have my short "Synonymous With" screened as part of Queer Screams at one of my favorite places on the planet, the Clinton Street Theater. Communication with filmmakers was super detailed and everyone on our team was honored to be nominated for Best Writing. Looking forward to next year!

    August 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks for the review, Thom. It was a privilege to screen your film at your old stomping ground - The Clinton Street Theater. We too are looking forward to next year! :-)