Produced by Sweet Nothing Productions

OVERVIEW:

We are an LGBTQ+ focused film festival screening high-quality [short & feature] films, which accurately and/or positively represent the LGBTQ+ Community. We are looking for independent projects from all genres, particularly low or no-budget ones, from all countries. We are looking for Queer-Positive Films with main characters and/or supporting characters who identify as LGBTQ+. First-time filmmakers are encouraged to submit their projects.

ANNUAL IN-PERSON FESTIVAL* DETAILS:

*UPDATED: 11/25/22: We are in the planning stage in collaboration with a 300+ seat venue in San Jose CA for an in-person 3-day festival. Our proposed, "penciled-in" dates are in November 2023. We will continue to post updates as soon as we have more information on any changes we make during these unpredictable times.

ONLINE FESTIVAL DETAILS:

Our online film festival and individual film pages are designed to provide a joyful, personal, and engaging experience with the intent to build a connection between our viewers and their favorite filmmaker(s).

Sales and monies earned from our online film festivals will fund production costs, which include advertisement, staffing hours, and website design/maintenance.

Films selected for our respective Online Festivals will be made available on our password-protected website. Participating filmmakers can access the website for FREE, whereas Film Patrons can access the films for a small, nominal fee.

WHAT MAKES OUR ONLINE FESTIVALS DIFFERENT:

We have created a personal, user-friendly, and engaging online experience for our viewers & our participating filmmakers.

As members of the film community, we understand many filmmakers learn from viewers (how their films were interpreted, how a story impacted others, a favorite character or scene,, etc.). Many filmmakers seek validation of their artwork and appreciate responses from audience members. At this time, we post additional information about our filmmakers, with the consent of our filmmakers, so our viewers can connect (& communicate) with their favorite filmmakers.

In the future, we may introduce an online viewer feedback system to give our Selected filmmakers [anonymous] positive & constructive feedback about their films. Prior to any implemented system, we collaborate with our most responsive Selected filmmakers about what information and feedback is sought out. We will ensure our viewer feedback system is user-friendly and positive in nature.

SUBMISSION/SELECTION DETAILS: UPDATED 11/5/22

Up to 20 Total Films will be Selected for our Online Festival (February 2023).
Up to 20 Total Films will be Selected for our Online Festival (May 2023).
Up to 20 Total Films will be Selected for our Online Festival (August 2023).
Up to 20 Total Films will be Selected for our Online Festival (October 2023).

In total, up to 80 Official Selections across all Selections sessions (February, May, August, October) will participate in our annual event (November 2023), which may be online, in-person, or a combination of online/in-person. We will update the status of our November event periodically.

All Official Selections will be announced on/before our respective Notification date(s). Winners for each Interim Event and our annual Film Festival will be announced and posted on our main website and our other social media platforms (IG, FB).

All Submissions will be judged by credited filmmakers and film lovers.

Awards & Prizes

Awards will be provided for each portion of our film festival, online or in-person, in two main categories:

Best Short Film (LGBTQ+ film OR film with Queer-Positive Content)
AND
Best Feature Film* (LGBTQ+ film OR film with Queer-Positive Content)

*Best Feature Film will be awarded, pending there are at least THREE Official Selections with Feature-Film length in one Submissions period.

Awards will also be provided in the following Sub-Categories (per Submissions Period):

Best Director // Best Screenplay // Best Original Story // Best Performance

Awards during our Annual film festival (November 2023) will be provided in one of the following sub-categories, pending there are at minimum five (5) total submissions that identify with the sub-category.

Best Experimental Film*
Best Horror Film*
Best Comedy Film*
Best Drama Film*
Best Animation Film*
Best Documentary*

Digital Certificates/Awards will be distributed for Online Festivals & Screenings.
Printed Certificates/Awards will be distributed at In-Person Awards Ceremonies when they occur.

Rules & Terms

All films are eligible, regardless if they have distribution or not.
All films are eligible even if they have been accepted to other film festivals.
All films must have been completed on/after January 1, 2019.
All films must include English subtitles (unless the spoken language is English).
Short Films must not be longer than 40 minutes in length. Feature films are defined as films with length of 40+ minutes

By submitting your film, you agree that:
1. Silicon Valley Queer Film Festival can use parts of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster) for promotional purpose.
2. Submission fees are non-refundable.
3. You own all the rights to the film.
4. You cannot withdraw your submission after the official selection announcement of each round.

Submit for either Short or Feature Film. Once you've submitted, your film and its features will be considered for awards in sub-categories. A sub-category needs at minimum 5 submissions for an award to be distributed.

We accept .mp4 or .mov file. We welcome Closed Captions files. We do NOT accept DCP format unless requested. Once Selected, we will contact you to acquire your film.

Silicon Valley Queer Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition during our online events and/or in-person Festival for promotional purposes.

The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Silicon Valley Queer Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening films entered.

Each submission is not guaranteed an Official Selection.
8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
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Networking
  • Monty Wolfe

    It was a joy for my film Look Up! to be a part of the Silicon Valley Queer Film Festival. Communication was great and the organizers were open and transparent about everything. I felt like this was a good festival to be a part of and I can't wait to submit my next film.

    December 2022
    Helpful
  • Brandt Miller

    An amazing festival that really aims to make a difference. Great communication and energy all around. Grateful to have had the opportunity to participate!

    December 2022
    Helpful
  • Harm van der Sanden

    Fantastic and cute festival with the friendliest people!! I was honored my short movie part of the line up!!

    November 2022
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  • Tatyana Archtander

    It was such a pleasure working with the team behind the festival, I would absolutely do it again! They were very communicative, and their online festival was easy to navigate. I just wish I'd been able to attend in person!

    September 2022
    Helpful
  • Latesha Merkel

    Excellent festival with top-notch communication!

    September 2022
    Helpful