Todd Haynes won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize for “Poison” (1991). Dee Rees burst onto the scene with “Pariah” (2011) at the same festival. Cheryl Dunye debuted “The Watermelon Woman” (1996) at the Berlinale, where it won the Teddy Award. Each of these filmmakers had one thing in common before their breakthroughs: They needed a stage.
LGBTQ+ film festivals play a vital role in giving new cinematic voices the visibility they deserve. June is Pride Month, when people around the world honor the history of the gay liberation movement, advocate for increased LGBTQ+ visibility, and celebrate queer identity. One of the most powerful ways to amplify that celebration is through cinema; films on sexuality and gender help viewers understand the community’s struggles and the progress still needed.
Here are five LGBTQ+ film festivals that filmmakers need to know about.
1. Out on Film
Late deadline: June 26
One of America’s most prestigious LGBTQIA+ festivals, Atlanta’s Out On Film offers the Oscars- and BAFTA-qualifying best short drama prize. Now in its 39th year, Out on Film selects approximately 150 films from 1,000 submissions, each revolving around lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual themes. Not only does the festival draw 17,500 film fans, but filmmakers regularly laud it for its thoughtful programming, inclusive atmosphere, and attentive staff.
Out on Film has repeatedly been named one of FilmFreeway’s Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals. This year will also mark the third annual Queer Film Summit, where panels, roundtables, and networking events bring LGBTQ+ filmmakers and industry professionals together to plan for the future.
To submit, narratives, docs, shorts, and web series must have been completed by 2025 or later, with a Vimeo screener, JPEG stills, two-sentence synopsis, and optional trailer.
Out on Film takes place Sept. 24–Oct. 4.
2. NewFest
Extended deadline: June 11
Final deadline: June 30
Frequently drawing between 30,000 and 40,000 cinephiles, the New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival is one of the world’s biggest cinematic events focused on queer cinema—and one of the most respected. It screens around 150 films from more than 30 countries over the course of 13 days. Held at the renowned SVA Theatre in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, NewFest has built its reputation across a 38-year history of outstanding programming, community building, and raucous parties, where producers, writers, and directors mix with fans and emerging filmmakers.
In recent years, the New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival has screened Andrew Haigh’s “All of Us Strangers” (2023), Ryan White’s “Come See Me in the Good Light” (2025), and Roshan Sethi’s “A Nice Indian Boy” (2024), as well as numerous other critically acclaimed films, each vying for its 10 prizes. NewFest waives submission fees for Black filmmakers with LGBTQ+ stories centering Black characters and voices.
Films completed in 2025 or 2026 are eligible. Features typically need at minimum a NYC premiere, and shorts must be DCP-ready if selected.
NewFest takes place Oct. 15–Oct. 27.
3. Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival
Earlybird deadline: July 17
Regular deadline: Aug. 24
Extended deadline: Sept. 18
Held in the heart of Indianapolis for over a quarter of a century, the Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival has become a focal part of the city’s cultural calendar. This is due to its showcasing of LGBTQ+ features, documentaries, and short films—not just from Indiana, but from across the planet. Films compete for eight prizes, including best feature length film, favorite narrative short, favorite documentary short, and favorite animated short. The Poppy Award is also presented to a film that is meaningful, delightful, unforgettable, or embodies the joyful spirit of the festival.
Around 1,000 people are expected to attend the 10-day festival, which has also served as a fundraiser. More than $75,000 has been raised at the Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival for IYG, a nonprofit focused on creating safe spaces and support for LGBTQ+ youth.
The festival accepts features and shorts with no length requirements. Although feature-length films released physically or online before festival dates are not eligible, this restriction does not apply to shorts.
This year’s Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival will take place Nov. 13–Nov. 22.
4. Reel Out Charlotte
Early deadline: Mid January
Regular deadline: Early March
Even though it only screens a handful of films over three days, Reel Out Charlotte’s selection process, parties, and jubilant attendees make it one of the city’s most anticipated cultural events of the year. During the festival, 500 film fans descend upon Charlotte, North Carolina, to watch LGBTQ-themed short, documentary, and feature-length films. The festival is run by Charlotte Pride, the largest LGBTQ+ pride organization in the Carolinas. Reel Out Charlotte doesn’t just embody its mission, vision, and values—it also serves as a powerful gathering place for community members to connect.
Charlotte Pride is so committed to building a tight-knit LGBTQ+ community through Reel Out Charlotte that several of its events are free to attend, while the organization also holds panel discussions and educational film screenings.
Short films approximately 17 minutes or fewer and features at least 60 minutes long completed within the past four years are eligible for submission.
The Reel Out Charlotte film festival usually takes place in the middle of May.
5. Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+
Regular deadline: Mid December
Late deadline: Early January
In 1991, Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ began with a handful of film fans watching movies created by and about queer people. Decades later, it attracts between 35,000 and 40,000 attendees and is the largest LGBTQ+ film festival in Canada, surpassed in the country only by the Toronto International Film Festival and Hot Docs.
Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ screens over 100 feature films, documentaries, and shorts, primarily shown at the TIFF Lightbox in downtown Toronto. Artist talks between LGBTQ+ creatives, art installations, performances, and numerous parties round out the 10-day celebration. With an eye on the future, Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ also hosts filmmaker initiatives, youth engagement programs, and year-round screenings and events, all aimed at improving awareness and the lives of LGBTQ+ community members.
Films must include English captions or subtitles if selected, with acceptable formats including DCP and QuickTime.
The Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ film festival usually takes place over 10 days in late May to early June.
