ABOUT VQFF

The Vancouver Queer Film Festival is one of the largest queer arts events in Western Canada, located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We illuminate, celebrate, and advance queer lives through film, education, and dialogue. Each year, we showcase eleven days of outstanding cinema, live performances, community-building events and parties, all with a background of beautiful mountain and ocean views.

We believe artists should be paid fairly for their work. As such, all selected films are offered a competitive screening fee. We seek content in all genres, authored by 2SLGBTQIA+ creators and centred on 2SLGBTQIA+ protagonists. We love stories that overturn stereotypes, push boundaries, and celebrate Two Spirit, queer, and trans people, communities and artists. We uplift 2SLGBTQIA+ voices and stories across BC, Canada, and the world.

Awards & Prizes

VQFF recognizes filmmakers through a variety of juried and audience awards.

RBC NARRATIVE CHANGE AWARD
(Cash Prize)

Sponsored by RBC, nominated by the programming team, and selected by a jury, this $5,000 cash prize honours a Canadian or International film that uses the power of cultural strategy to overturn outdated narratives, inspire change, and expand the audience’s perception of 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

GERRY BRUNET MEMORIAL AWARD: BEST BRITISH COLUMBIA SHORT
(Cash Prize / In-kind Camera Package)

This prize celebrates the best short film made in BC by local filmmakers. All British Columbian films are eligible for this Award. This award was established in 1997 in recognition of Gerry Brunet, a lifelong contributor to the arts and an early Out On Screen board member. It is supported by the Directors Guild of Canada-BC and determined by audience vote.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
(Cash Prize / In-kind Camera Package)

All films selected for the Festival are eligible for the People’s Choice Awards.
We collect Audience votes across all screenings in the following categories:

People’s Choice Awards: Canadian Short
People’s Choice Awards: Canadian Feature
People’s Choice Awards: International Feature
People’s Choice Awards: International Short

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY

- Story: Must be centred around 2SLGBTQIA+ protagonists.

- Authorship: Must be created by 2SLGBTQIA+ storytellers.

- Release Date: Films released more than 18 months before the festival dates are not eligible.

- Distribution: Films available for purchase or publicly viewable online are not eligible.

- Work-in-Progress: Will be evaluated, provided a final version can be delivered by April 5, 2024.

FILM ENTRY PROTOCOL

- Only entries made via FilmFreeway will be considered.

- Unsuccessful entries will receive notifications through FilmFreeway by June 14, 2024.

- Due to the overwhelming amount of entries, we cannot provide notes or feedback on films not selected for the Festival.

SELECTION PROTOCOL

- Selected films will be contacted at the email address associated with the FilmFreeway entry.

- All films selected for the festival will receive a screening fee.

- The Programming Team determines the programming and scheduling of films. Their decision is final. Successful applicants will receive this information in their official invitation.

- Films must remain active on FilmFreeway until August 8, 2024.

- All selected films must provide VQFF with an exhibition copy of the film by June 7, 2024. Delivery requirements will be specified at the time of offer and differ based on venue and format (online / in person).

- Upon receipt of an invoice preceding the Festival, VQFF will remit electronic payment via the Plooto payment platform (to select countries) or via cheque.

- VQFF reserves the right to use stills and up to 2 minutes of footage from official selections for promotional and marketing purposes.

SCREENING PROTOCOL

- We strive to create an accessible festival. As such, all films selected to screen at VQFF must include either captions/subtitles in English or request VQFF’s support for captioning/subtitling. We have limited funds available to support adding captions/subtitles to new works and prioritize underrepresented artists and stories.

- In-person screenings will follow BC’s health and safety guidelines, adhering to government health officials' recommendations during planning.

- Online screenings are a central part of our offering to make authentic 2SLGBTQIA+ stories more accessible. As such, in addition to the in-person screening, we encourage selected teams to opt-in to have their film available to screen online. Movies that opt-in will be accessible from the day following the in-person premiere for 72 hours, with a cap of 250 views. Public viewings will be geo-blocked to British Columbia. Industry viewings (available worldwide) are exclusively for accredited filmmakers, industry executives, and festival programmers.

TRAVEL PROTOCOL

- At the Festival’s discretion and according to the sponsorship available, we will support the travel expenses of select presenting filmmakers.

- We have a HomeStay Program where members of the VQFF community kindly offer private or shared accommodation for visiting artists. We match hosts and guests according to their preferences and needs—limited availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.

- 500 CAD travel grants will be available for filmmakers showcasing short-form content at the Festival —limited availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.

- We offer ground transportation from and to the Vancouver International Airport to all visiting artists.

DEADLINES & FEES

We are introducing a Filmmaker Travel Fund! All proceeds from your entry fees will be distributed as 500 CAD travel grants for filmmakers showcasing short-form content at the Festival.

EARLY-BIRD DEADLINE | December 31, 2023
Narrative Features $25
Narrative Shorts $15
Documentary Features $25
Documentary Shorts $15
Episodic - TV $25
Episodic - Web $15

REGULAR DEADLINE | February 29, 2024
Narrative Features $35
Narrative Shorts $25
Documentary Features $35
Documentary Shorts $25
Episodic - TV $35
Episodic - Web $25

LATE DEADLINE | March 31, 2024
Narrative Features $45
Narrative Shorts $35
Documentary Features $45
Documentary Shorts $35
Episodic - TV $45
Episodic - Web $35

FEE WAIVERS

We offer fee waivers to underrepresented filmmakers. To request a waiver code, please email us at entries@outonscreen.com. VQFF loves you!
28 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nathan King

    I was unfortunately unable to attend in person but I was so honored to be a part of the festival!

    August 2023
    Helpful
  • V.T. Nayani

    This was, without a question, one of my most beautiful festival experiences. I am so grateful to the entire VQFF team, for cultivating and nurturing such a beautiful experience, especially for us as working artists and filmmakers. I've never felt so cared for, held, lifted, and supported by a film festival and its team. Ever-grateful, deeply in awe. Thank you for your commitment to community, what a blessing and joy this experience was.

    August 2023
    Helpful
  • Polina Teif

    Our experience at VQFF has been fantastic! Great communication, thoughtful programming of films and events. We were able to attend VQFF along with our crew to attend the screening of our film Bittersweet Becoming. And I speak for all of us when I say we feel immense gratitude for the hospitality and overall festival experience. We got to connect with talented filmmakers, the VQFF team and many incredible volunteers and audience members. Thank you to the VQFF team for your hard work and dedication.

    August 2023
    Helpful
  • Bianca Catbagan

    An incredible, inclusive, intelligent festival that really took care of its filmmakers! I had the most incredible experience. Thank you to the team!

    August 2023
    Helpful
  • Gisela Chicolino

    A festival on this topic is really a necessary one. Please keep working on generating this exquisite programming for the audiences.

    August 2023
    Helpful