CINEMA DIVERSE: The Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival, is dedicated to advancing and further strengthening our diverse gay community through the establishment of a world-class forum that presents lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cinema from around the world. We bring together film artists, film lovers and industry professionals in a celebration of motion pictures that reflect, inform, enrich and often transform lives.

Cinema Diverse is a program of the Palm Springs Cultural Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing education, to nurturing community-wide participation in the cultural arts, and to sponsoring scholarship awards for deserving individuals. For more information, please visit http://www.psculturalcenter.org.

Awards & Prizes

Festival Favorites - Audience Choice
Director's Choice

Rules & Terms

Films and videos should be of interest to lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender people. We will consider narrative, documentary, experimental and/or animated films and videos (features and shorts).

If your film is accepted, a DCP is required for screening.
106 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Robert Gomes

    We had a wonderful time at Cinema Diverse! The audience was warm and engaged, and we had a fun Q&A. And it was a treat to catch some of the other queer films we'll be seeing in the future! Thank you for having us! Also, it was really sweet to receive and audience favorite award...!

    May 2026
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  • Sean Au

    What a great experience to bring our film "What We Said in the Blackout" and our cast to attend Cinema Diverse. Communication and running of the festival feel warm and supportive. Definitely a great festival to showcase our film in Southern California and bring our future films here.

    February 2026
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  • Aaron Jin

    Had a lovely time at the festival and exploring Palm Springs. Wish there were more opportunities to meet & mingle with other filmmakers, but still a great time!

    November 2025
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  • Erin P.S. Zimmerman

    We had a fantastic time at Cinema Diverse! Communication was clear until we got there, and we were welcomed with open arms. It will always be remembered as the ONLY LGBTQ-focused festival that accepted our little queer film, and we couldn't be more grateful for that and the amazing community conversation we held, afterward! Thank you, Cinema Diverse!

    October 2025
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  • Kyle Heiner

    Fantastic, historic festival that we were thrilled to be a part of! Great communication and help.

    October 2025
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