MISSION

SECS FEST is a sex-positive international film festival celebrating the artistry of erotic cinema while inspiring diverse communities to engage in adult conversations about sex.

THE FESTIVAL

SECS Fest is held in September at Seattle's historic Grand Illusion Cinema. Once involved with providing a small selection of short films as part of the Seattle Erotic Art Festival, SECS Fest became an independent, non-profit film festival in 2016, to better serve filmmakers and fans of erotic film. Due to theater closures in Seattle, WA due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SECS Fest 2020 was a virtual festival, hosted by PinkLabel.tv. SECS Fest has returned to the Grand Illusion Cinema as an in-person, film festival.

The festival will include films that reflect the diversity of human sexuality and thus, a broad range of sexual practices and orientations will be on display. We will curate a selection of short films (to be presented in 90 minute programs) and feature length films (60 -120 minutes). The films may be narrative fiction, experimental, animation, and even documentary and will include a broad range of genre (drama, comedy, romance). And the programming will include works from all over the globe. Special attention will be given to films that defy audience expectations for sexually explicit films, that some believe are inherently sexist and hetero-centric, so festival programming will attempt to include films from female and non-binary creators and films that depict underrepresented populations, and thus will challenge heteronormativity, ableism, racism, sexism, etc.

Additionally, SECS Fest will include archival programs to explore the long history of sex in the cinema. SECS Fest programmers will curate archival programs included in the festival.

Awards & Prizes

SECS FEST submissions are eligible for our Golden Raincoat Awards: Best Feature, Best Short, Best Sex-Positive film, Best Documentary, and Best Humor.

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY
All submissions must be completed original works.

What types of films will be accepted?

Films of any length may be submitted.
There are no genre restrictions. Films may be documentary, experimental, narrative, animated, etc.
There are no restrictions based on explicit sexual content, except that depicted sex-acts are between consenting adults (18 years-old or over).
Beyond that, you should decide what qualifies as an erotic film and share it with us.

Any non-English language film must be subtitled in English.

All films must be submitted by June 28, 2024

Filmmakers will be notified of acceptance status by August 1, 2024

Submit films online via FilmFreeway.

All entry fees are non-refundable.

Once a film is submitted, it may not be withdrawn. And please inform us of any prior festival screenings of the submitted work as well as acceptance of films in future festivals that may impose any restrictions on exhibition.

SECS Fest is a non-profit, independent film festival and at this time cannot afford to pay screening fees for accepted films.

Upon acceptance, please submit a press kit including a director biography, a short synopsis of the film, and production stills. Shipping of any materials to SECS Fest are to be paid in full by the applicant. The festival will pay return shipping of any exhibition materials.

Accepted films may also be included in a post-festival Best of SECS Fest screening. Filmmakers will be notified prior to insure that are not any conflicts or new screening restrictions.

By submitting, I authorize the SECS to use photographic stills and short film clips of any accepted work for broadcast, web publication and other forms of promotion of the festival. Please notify the SECS in writing of any press restrictions for the submitted works. I agree to not have the submitted film available on-line prior to screening at SECS Fest. I am legally authorized to submit this film for screening at SECS Fest and hold the festival harmless in any damage or loss during shipping to and from the festival. I have read, understood and complied with the rules for submissions to the best of my knowledge.
15 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
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Networking
  • La Hagendorfer

    Thanks to SECS Fest for showing my film FUDLIAKS! I felt well taken care of, especially in the wonderful communication before and during the festival, super welcoming. I hope to be on site at the next festival - thank you for your commitment!

    January 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for the positive review! We hope to see many more films from you in the future. FUDLIAKS! was an impressive festival entry and the audience loved it!

  • Gracie Wallner

    SECS fest was wonderful. I was proud & grateful that my film played alongside so many beautiful, striking, hilarious, and sexy films. I was inspired by the variety of films included; they ranged from narrative to sensual erotica to hardcore porn. And the festival was very responsive and supportive:) Thanks!

    January 2022
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  • Neil Needleman

    It was an honor to be part of the 2021 SECS Film Fest with my video "Pendulums." I wish I could have attended the event but, alas, was unable. It looked like a very stimulating selection of work.

    September 2021
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  • lily lu

    :) thank you for screening our film

    January 2021
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  • Amina Maher

    It was interesting that you kindly selected the film Letter to my mother. It shows your vision against sexual violence and rape. All the best, Amina

    September 2020
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