Since its creation in May 2018, The Bush Films has exemplified inclusivity, safety, and representation for queer women and trans and non-binary people. The Bush Films is the only consistent monthly queer film festival in New York City that focuses exclusively on films for, about, and by queer women, trans, and non-binary people. We understand that our community craves representation in cinema, and we’re dedicated to making such films more accessible.
The Bush Films is a community bred and oriented, which means that, at present, our grassroots beginnings don’t enable us to have a monetary prize for selected films. We’re about art for the sake of the act (and for representation and community).
We often collaborate and curate at other festivals and organizations, such as SAGE and CLAGS. We also participated in a screening in Venice, Italy, which opens doors internationally. Meaning, if your film is selected by The Bush Films, there’s a chance it can also screen at other festivals we work with. However, the folks we have at our Brooklyn screenings are NYC-based. The Bush Films also hosted the premiere of The L Word: Gen Q screenings, which boast an audience of 150-500 people.
Overall, The Bush Films believes that quality representation and inclusive, safe spaces are imperative. We began in a backyard and have grown far beyond initial expectations. The Bush Films is proud to represent films about queer women, trans, and non-binary and the folks that create them.
We welcome short documentaries and fictional films. All films with a principal queer, trans, or non-binary storyline, or which address the LBTQ+ community’s experience, are welcome. All films not in English must be accompanied by English subtitles, and directors of selected films will be invited to discuss their work with the audience in open sessions between showings. We ask that films are no longer than 20 minutes.
This is not an awarded festival, we celebrate queer cinema and every film selected in our film programs.
