International queer film festival Merlinka is organized every year from 2009 in Belgrade Serbia. For seven days we screen short, documentary and featured LGBT-themed films.
Only gay, lesbian, bisexual, trangender, transsexual-themed films.

Awards & Prizes

Dorothy's slipper award for the best short queer film
2024 - Buffer Zone by Savvas Stavrou
2023 - Will You Look At Me by Shuli Huang
2022 - The Hunt by Sholeh Zahraei, Kamil Saldun
2021 - Path of a ghost by Namo Safideen
2020 - Fabiu by Stefan Langthaler
2019 - Dante vs. Mohammed Ali by Marc Wagenaar
2018 - Whole by Slava Doytcheva
2017 - The Fish Curry by Abhishek Verma
2016 - Dove by Konstantinos Chaliasas
2015 - 09:55-11:05, Ingrid Ekman, Bergsgatan 4B by Cristine Berglund, Sophie Vukovic
2014 - I call it love, directed by Elsy Hajjar; Through The Mirror, by Breech Asher Harani
2013 - Camionero by Sebastián Miló
2012 - I’ve Only Just Begun by E.
2011 - Frischluft Therapie by Christoph Scheermann
2010 - Tools 4 Fools by Kate A. Brandt

More: http://merlinka.com/awards/

Rules & Terms

The 17th International queer film festival “Merlinka” will be taking place in December 2025 in Jugoslovenska kinoteka (Yugoslav Cinematheque) – Belgrade, Serbia.

We accept short, documentary, feature and animated films.

We invite film authors, as well as film arts students, to submit their films. The content of films submitted should be compatible with the festival’s framework (must be LGBTIQ-themed). Submission deadline is September 1, 2025.

Merlinka is non-profit festival.
31 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Che ming Chang

    Great honer and very happy that my film can be chosen and be loved .

    August 2025
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  • MADAKTO PICTURES

    On behalf of Madakto Pictures, we are honored to be a part of this prestigious film festival. It is truly inspiring to see so much talent and creativity gathered in one place. Thank you to the organizers and everyone involved for providing such a wonderful platform to share our work and connect with fellow filmmakers. We wish all participants the best and look forward to celebrating the art of cinema together.

    March 2025
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  • Christophe hely

    Nous avons été ravis de collaborer avec le Festival du Film Queer Merlinka. Un immense merci au président, à toute l'équipe et au jury pour leur formidable action en faveur de la cause, de l'art et de la qualité exceptionnelle de leur festival.

    We were delighted to collaborate with the Merlinka Queer Film Festival. A heartfelt thank you to the president, the entire team, and the jury for their remarkable commitment to the cause, the art, and the outstanding quality of their festival.

    December 2024
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  • Zachary Wu

    This is recognition of the film's quality and encouragement for the creators. Thank you, Film Week. We will bring more excellent works!

    December 2024
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  • Milina Trisic

    It was an honor to be part of a festival as beautiful as Merlinka. Thank you!

    October 2024
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