Each October, Reel Q hosts a 9-day film festival in Pittsburgh, PA celebrating LGBTQ films from across the world. Now in our 37th year, we are Pittsburgh's longest running film festival, the 5th oldest LGBTQ+ film festival in the United States, and 6th oldest in the world. We program approximately 20 locally first-run LGBTQ-themed full-length films and 50 to 60 short films ranging from comedies, dramas, and documentaries.

Awards & Prizes

• Audience Favorite: Narrative Feature
• Audience Favorite: Documentary
• Audience Favorite: Short Film

No Prizes

Rules & Terms

•The Reel Q submission DEADLINE is July 14, 2025

•DVD, Blu-Ray or online link are the only media accepted for preview. All submissions must be labeled on the disk and case with the title, running time, filmmaker’s name, contact phone number and email address.

•Rough cuts and works-in-progress are eligible for submission only if an exhibition print is available by June 30, 2025.

•Accepted categories are Narrative shorts and feature length, Documentaries, Experimental and Animation.

•Film and video works in languages other than English must be subtitled.

•In addition to your submission, please send photos, stills and press kits, reviews or other publicity materials you may have. Photos may be used for promotion or used for the REEL Q Web site and program guide. REEL Q must be notified in writing of any press or photo restrictions. Photos can also be emailed as attachments in JPEG format to films@reelq.org.

•Final program decisions will be made by Sept 1, 2025, and notifications will be emailed.

•Entering a film or video indicates the acceptance of Reel Q submission guidelines and requirements.

17 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Josef Steiff

    Love this festival -- great team of people, very communicative and enthusiastic. Cool venue. Also amazing to see an all volunteer festival that has such a long history. We at Emerald City were honored to be a part of it!

    October 2024
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  • Ahuatl Amaro

    Our team of filmmakers at Agua Dulce Productions are incredibly grateful to have been included in the festival's 2024 program! Our queer comedy short films focus on elevating the voices of LGBTQ, Latinx, and Indigenous people, and showcasing our film at Reel Q made reaching audiences nationwide possible. We hope to screen our upcoming short film "Mean Goals" (about an LGBTQ soccer team) at next year's festival.

    October 2024
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  • MARA RAGO

    Debuting “Carla” with Pittsburgh’s Reel Q Film Festival at the Andy Warhol Museum was a dream come true. A sold out crowd along with a receiving Best Documentary was the icing on the cake. The professionalism and impeccable reputation of this festival shines bright and I could not be happier with this experience. Thank you ReelQ!

    October 2024
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  • Mark Jones

    Really excited to be part of the film festival this year. Thank you so much for including my short film "Squirrel Meets Boris."

    November 2023
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  • Pilar Adara

    I unfortunately wasn’t able to make it in person. But the festival was so helpful and provided excellent communication. It was really exciting to watch some beautiful DIVERSE queer films virtually! It made me really proud and inspired to be part of the community. I hope I can make it next year.

    October 2023
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