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 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.