ABOUT VQFF

The Vancouver Queer Film Festival is one of the largest queer arts events in Western Canada. We illuminate, celebrate, and advance queer lives through film, education, and dialogue. Each August, we showcase 11 days of outstanding cinema, live performances, community-building events, and great parties, all in the environment of beautiful mountain and ocean views.

We pay screening fees for all selected work. We seek content in all genres, specifically stories told by 2SLGBTQIA+ creators and centered on 2SLGBTQIA+ protagonists, overturn stereotypes, push boundaries, strive for change, arouse and tantalize, and above all, highlight the tremendous diversity of queer, trans, and Two Spirit people, artists, and communities. We uplift 2SLGBTQIA+ voices and stories from throughout BC, across Canada, and around the world.

Awards & Prizes

The Festival recognizes filmmakers through a variety of juried and audience awards.

(NEW!) NARRATIVE CHANGE AWARD (Cash Prize)
This cash prize will be determined by a jury, and will honor a storyteller who uses the power of cultural strategy to overturn outdated narratives, inspire change, and expand the audience’s perception of 2SLGBTQIA+ identities in their work.

GERRY BRUNET MEMORIAL AWARD: Best British Columbia Short (Cash Prize)
This award is determined by a jury. All selected shorts films made in British Columbia are eligible. This award was established in 1997 in recognition of Gerry Brunet, a lifelong contributor to the arts and an early board member of Out On Screen.

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS
All content screening at the Festival is eligible for the Audience Choice Award, which is determined by audience ballots across all Festival screenings, in the following categories:

Narrative Short
Narrative Feature
(New!) Documentary Short
(New!) Documentary Feature

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSIONS PROTOCOL & ELIGIBILITY

1. Only secure online screeners will be accepted for preview. All submissions to VQFF must be made via FilmFreeway and remain active until August 20, 2023.
2. Films completed no more than 18 months before the festival dates are eligible.
3. Works-in-progress can be considered only if a completed version can be available for final approval by April 7, 2023.
4. Films that are available to purchase or streaming for public viewing online are not eligible. This includes DVD/Blu-ray/VHS formats.
5. All decisions will be notified via FilmFreeway by June 16, 2023. Applicants are responsible for providing a correct and functional contact email address. VQFF is not responsible for any failed attempts to contact Applicants using the contact information provided.
6. Shipment of exhibition materials to the Festival must be paid by the applicant. Return shipment of exhibition materials will be paid by the Festival. Any additional fees associated with shipping must be paid by the recipient. VQFF accepts no responsibility for loss or damage of entries during shipment to or from the Festival.

SELECTED FILMS PROTOCOL

1. All films selected to the festival will receive either a screening fee or support with travel/accommodation to attend the Festival, at VQFF's discretion and according to the sponsorship available.
2. VQFF will remit electronic payment via the Plooto payment platform (to select countries) or via cheque in the agreed amount preceding the Festival.
3. All films selected to screen at VQFF must include either captions/subtitles in English, or request VQFF’s support for captioning/subtitling. We strive to create an accessible festival and have limited funds available to support adding subtitles to new works with a priority for underrepresented artists and stories.
4. All selected films must supply VQFF with an exhibition copy of the Film by July 7, 2023, in a theatrical screening format and/or online screening format, as specified by VQFF upon invitation. Delivery requirements are different based on format and venue.
5. VQFF reserves the right to use stills and up to 2 minutes of footage of official selections for promotional and marketing purposes.

SCREENING PROTOCOL

All films will be presented at a physical venue and will be invited to play on VQFF’s online screening platform, with geo-blocking and screening caps adjusted according to the filmmaker’s preference. In-person screenings will take place in accordance with BC’s health and safety guidelines, adhering to recommendations made by government health officials at the time of planning.

SUBMISSIONS DEADLINES & FEES

In order to ensure that all submissions are evaluated and that all programmers are paid a living wage, we have started charging an entry fee. However, we offer waivers to BIPOC artists and other underrepresented identities and regions. If cost is a barrier, please email us at submissions@outonscreen.com. The VQFF Programming team can’t wait to watch your work!

(NEW!) FilmFreeway GOLD members get a 25% discount on all fees.

Early-bird Deadline | January 6, 2023
Narrative/Documentary Features $15
Narrative/Documentary Shorts $10
Episodic Web/TV $15

Regular Deadline | February 10, 2023
Narrative/Documentary Features $25
Narrative/Documentary Shorts $15
Episodic Web/TV $25

Late Deadline | March 3, 2023
Narrative/Documentary Features $35
Narrative/Documentary Shorts $20
Episodic Web/TV $35
23 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Wapah Ezeigwe

    Beautiful festival! Extremely great communication! The selected films are very well promoted. I felt so proud screening at this prestigious festival!

    November 2022
    Helpful
  • Chadlee James Skrikker

    Unfortunately couldn't attend but the staff was very helpful with the submission process and it was amazing to be represented at such a well-regarded fest! :)

    September 2022
    Helpful
  • Alex Sangha

    It was a wonderful experience to have Vinay Giridhar's award-winning debut feature documentary, Emergence: Out of the Shadows, screen in person and live with a local audience in Vancouver. The VQFF is a very well-organized and prestigious event. Thank you for supporting our film.

    August 2022
    Helpful
  • Jo Güstin

    The technical support is very reactive and helpful, the movie selection is excellent, so good that I totally forgot to watch the playlist where my own film (Don't Text Your Ex) was shown! (TnT) The panels were great, I wish I had been invited, but I loved watching them too. Personal icing on the cake: the beautiful welcome by the same Indigenous person before the start of every program, and the vast choice of Black African creations in this year's selection! <3

    August 2022
    Helpful
  • Bekantan Pictures

    Thank you for Vancouver Queer Film Festival audiences to choose our film. Awesome festival and hopefully we could meet the audiences online.

    June 2022
    Helpful