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 also looking for Non-Queer 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: 02/02/24: We continue to have production meetings with a 300+ seat venue in San Jose, CA with our goal to produce a 3-day in-person Film Festival THIS FALL in November 2024. Through the year, we plan to program a number of Official Selections from our 2023 library to screen during "themed" programs and special events. Participating filmmakers in those programs will be contacted in advance.

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 submissions and online film festivals will fund production costs, which include advertisement, staffing hours, and website design/maintenance.

Films selected for all Online Festivals scheduled this year 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 & feedback from audience members. At this time, we post additional information about our filmmakers, with the consent of our filmmakers, so our viewers can connect (and 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 when it's created and piloted.

2024 SUBMISSION/SELECTION DETAILS:
Up to 20 Total Films will be Selected for our Online Festival (Feb 16 - Feb 29, 2024).
Up to 20 Total Films will be Selected for our Online Festival (May 10 - May 26 2024).
Up to 20 Total Films will be Selected for our Online Festival (August 9 - August 25 2024).
Up to 20 Total Films will be Selected for our Online Festival (October 18 - 27 2024).

In total, up to 80 Official Selections across all Submission Periods (February, May, August, October) will participate in our annual event (November '24), which may be online, in-person, or a combination of online/in-person.

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 / Film Producers.

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 via electronic mail to all Finalists and Winners each Submissions Session.
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. A sub-category needs at minimum 5 submissions for an award to be distributed.

We accept .mp4 or .mov file. We encourage and welcome Closed Captions files. We do NOT accept DCP format unless requested. Once Selected, we will contact you to acquire your film via FilmFreeway download request or via electronic transfer.

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.
10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • giuseppe bucci

    Disappeares. I dont understund the festival

    January 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Hi Giuseppe, I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience with us and have sent you an email to understand your concerns. Hope to hear from you soon. ~ Robby

  • Arié Chamouni

    Amazing festival, thanks to the team !

    March 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Arie. Wishing you, your film, and your future filmmaking ventures the best. Hope to see another submission from you soon! ~ Robby

  • 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
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  • 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
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  • 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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