The Reelout Queer Film Festival is an annual 10-day event held in Kingston, ON Canada. We are one of the first queer film festivals in the calendar year and our festival exhibits independent, international films by and/or about 2SLGBTQ+ lives with a strong focus on the intersections within our communities. Films focusing on race, health, ability, class, and age are equally as important as films about sexual orientation and gender. Our festival runs from late January to early February. We do offer some travel subsidies within Canada when possible. There are no travel funds for guests outside the U.S but we have been able to provide accommodations for international guests if they can afford their own airfare. North American feature-length films will receive screening fees as well as Canadian short films.

Awards & Prizes

There are Audience Awards (title awards nothing monetary awarded) as well as the Betty Berghout award for BEST LOVE STORY and the Kim Renders BEST PERFORMANCES awards.

Rules & Terms

Please do not submit films that you've already submitted in the previous calendar year.
Do not submit your film if it is (or will be) available to stream on any platform (including on any free services like YouTube) from the time you submit until the last day of our festival.
We please ask that once you submit your film, please do not contact festival staff with updates/news about your film's journey/awards. This will not affect our decision-making.
SHORT FILM running lengths MUST BE NO LONGER than 20 minutes. Anything longer is very hard to program in a festival.
All Feature Films, within North America. chosen for exhibition, will be offered a screening fee. All Canadian short films will also be offered a screening fee.
We cannot provide screening fees for films outside North America at this time.
ReelOut is a member of the IMAA (Independent Media Arts Alliance) of Canada and recognizes their fee schedules.

24 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nico Susilo

    We're so glad to be part of the 2026 ReelOut Queer Film Festival with our short, Their World in Colour. The festival programmers, the film selections, the screening place, the audience and their excitement, everything was superb. Truly one of my best experiences as a filmmaker!

    February 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks Nico! We're happy to hear you all had a good time!

  • Colin G Cooper

    I brought our short film Bath Bomb to the 2026 edition of Reelout & had a splendid time. The screening was very well attended despite blizzard-level weather conditions, which was impressive. The audience was keen & friendly, as were the festival staff. I only had a chance to chat with Matt (Executive Director) briefly, but found him warm & genuine. I only wish I could have attended more days!

    February 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks Colin!! A pleasure meeting you as well!

  • Che ming Chang

    It was amazing and what a great honor to be selected !

    August 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Che ming Chang, thank you very much for your kind words and we feel the same honour showcasing your work!

  • Tasneem Nanji

    The Reelout Crew was amazing and it was an honour to be a part of the 25th anniversary ! Great Queer Fest

    February 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    ❤️

  • Michael V. Smith

    This was a great festival experience--they took really good care of me, were great communicators, paid a screening fee (which is too rare these days), and provided accommodation, with a hotel code for my out-of-town family too. Dream festival. Loved this experience.

    February 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks Michael! You brought all the feels!