Utah Film Center proudly presents the newly renamed Utah Queer Film Festival (UQFF) for 2026! The 23rd year of what was previously known as Damn These Heels takes place November 6th-8th, 2026 at the Utah Film Center in the Marmalade District of Salt Lake City.

Highlighted in The Advocate in 2015 as one of the reasons Salt Lake City is one of the top ten "Queerest Cities in America" and named one of Indiewire’s “10 LGBT Film Festivals To Head To This July” in 2014, Utah’s premier LGBTQIA2S+ film festival features the best independent, documentary, and foreign feature-length films from around the world that explore LGBTQIA2S+ issues, ideas, and art.

Utah Queer Film Festival (formerly Damn These Heels), is excited to announce an open call for feature-length and short films. In the past, Festival topics have ranged from profiles of prominent politicians to touching coming-of-age stories, slapstick comedies to slasher films.

To have your film considered, please submit a dramatic, documentary, animated, or experimental feature-length or short film. All entries will be viewed by a member of the UQFF Programming Committee. Short films must be less than 40 minutes. Other forms of digital storytelling will be watched and considered, as long as work explicitly expresses the ideas or tells the stories of the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

Submission Fees
Feature-length Film $25
Short Film $15

We look forward to viewing your work!

Awards & Prizes

Jury Award, Best Narrative Feature Film
Jury Award, Best Documentary Feature Film
Jury Award, Best Short Film
Audience Award, Best Feature Film
Audience Award, Best Short Film

Festival laurels will be shared for Festival acceptance and Audience Award winners. Physical awards will be presented to Jury Award Winners.

Rules & Terms

Submitters must hold all necessary rights of the film submitted to the Festival, including any music included in the film. Entries must contain LGBTQIA2S+ content, subjects, or characters. Entries are accepted February 1st, 2026 - July 15th, 2026. Due to the high volume of entries, early submissions are strongly encouraged. Rough cuts and work-in-progress versions of films will be accepted but must be submitted by the entry deadline.
14 Reviews
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  • Dariush Jafari

    Utah Queer Film Festival stands out as a vibrant and courageous platform that highlights powerful queer storytelling. With its welcoming spirit and strong commitment to representation, the festival creates a meaningful space for voices that deserve to be seen and heard. It is a remarkable celebration of creativity, identity, and community.

    December 2025
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  • Jonathan Hammond

    Great festival and great people.

    November 2025
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  • Mari Penteado

    Utah Queer Film Festival is a truly magical and powerful celebration of queer cinema and queer lives. From the moment we submitted, we felt seen, welcomed, and included. The programming team curated an extraordinary range of films, diverse in genres, themes, perspectives, and identities, creating a rich, vibrant tapestry of stories that celebrate the beauty, complexity, and courage of queer experiences.

    You can feel the love that drives this festival: love for the queer community, and love for cinema itself. Every detail, from the thoughtful communication to the warm, inclusive atmosphere, reflects care, dedication, and deep respect. Meeting so many inspiring people and witnessing so many stories unfold on screen was truly unforgettable.

    The opportunity to connect with local LGBTQIAP+ organizations highlighted the festival’s commitment to community-building and engagement, showing a profound understanding of the importance of creating spaces that nurture dialogue and connection.

    UQFF is more than a festival. It is a celebration, a conversation, and a home for queer voices. It leaves you inspired, moved, and uplifted. Simply put, it’s beautiful and unforgettable.

    November 2025
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  • Deborah Craig

    This festival is a beacon of hope and light in dark and challenging times. Thanks so much for the opportunity to screen my film "Sally!" and to join for a zoom Q&A.

    October 2025
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  • Ryan Paige

    We were delighted to have our short film, Making Up, selected for this year's edition of UQFF - while we were unable to attend in person, we felt very much included - the communication from Kate and her team was clear, informative and very friendly. We were kept up-to-date about the festival and also able to view updates via social media and we are thrilled that our story has reached audiences at UQFF - it's clear the whole team really care about filmmakers and their stories. Thank you UQFF team!!

    November 2024
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