For over three decades, GAZE has stood as a cultural cornerstone of Ireland’s LGBTQIA community. Founded in 1992, before homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland, GAZE has grown into an internationally recognised platform that champions bold, unapologetically queer and trans stories, including compelling narratives, insightful documentaries and innovative DIY films.

Each year, over seven days, GAZE screens more than 100 Irish and international films, from DIY gems to cinematic masterpieces, alongside panels, workshops, and networking events that connect filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals.

At GAZE, we celebrate stories that reflect the full spectrum of LGBTQIA experience: tender, camp, radical, hilarious, heartbreaking, and everything in between. Our audiences are dedicated, engaged and passionate. We sell-out screenings and our filmmakers are amongst an alumni of artists who’ve shaped the queer film landscape in Ireland and internationally.

GAZE 2026 will take place from Tuesday 28th July to Monday 3rd August in the Light House Cinema and the Irish Film Institute, Dublin.

Whether you’re a first-time filmmaker or a seasoned visionary, we want to see your work. If it’s fresh, weird, horny, narratively compelling, with gripping characters, and proudly LGBTQIA, submit it to GAZE and join us in celebrating queer and trans cinema at its most vibrant.

Awards & Prizes

Every year, GAZE honours the filmmakers who inspire our audiences. From boundary-pushing debuts to nuanced cinematic imaginings, our awards celebrate the best of contemporary LGBTQIA storytelling.

Selected films are eligible for the following awards:

- Best Irish Short: recognising excellence in Irish LGBTQIA short filmmaking.
- Best International Short: awarded to an outstanding short from outside Ireland.
- GAZE Jury Award for Best Feature: for a standout film, chosen by the GAZE Jury.
- Audience Award for Best Feature: voted for by our devoted festival audiences.

While our awards carry no monetary value, our ambition is to platform the award winners by lifting up their achievements.

Rules & Terms

1. GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival is presented in association with our funders, including the Arts Council of Ireland, the National Talent Academy, Dublin City Council, DCEDYI, Coimisiún na Meán and range of private sponsors and donors.

2. The aim of GAZE is to showcase the latest and greatest of international LGBTQIA cinema, and to help foster and promote the Irish LGBTQIA filmmaking community.

​3. GAZE is an annual event taking place in the Light House Cinema and Irish Film Institute, Dublin, as well as an optional online component for Ireland only.

​4. Feature films, documentaries and short films of any genre or subject matter are open for unsolicited submission to the festival via FilmFreeway.

​5. Feature films, documentaries and short films of any genre or subject matter are also selected by invitation by the festival.

​6. Entries to GAZE Film Festival must have been produced within the last two years. We welcome Irish premieres but this is not prerequisite to selection for the festival. Films which are available online, or have received a theatrical, streaming or DVD release in Ireland, will not ordinarily be considered for the festival.

​7. Viewing material is accepted via online viewing link only. Please include a non-embedded Vimeo link or similar for Jurors to view.

​8. GAZE bestows a number of awards at the end of the festival, selected by a jury. Please note that these awards are symbolic and have no monetary value.

​9. All foreign language films that are submitted to the festival must be subtitled in English. Films in the English language should be provided with Closed Captioning for Deaf and hard-of-hearing audience members.

​10. GAZE Film Festival will not alter selected films in any way for their festival screening.

​11. Excerpts from films will only be shown for promotional purposes if permission is obtained from the producer.

​12. GAZE Film Festival is a public event, with a number of accredited filmmakers, jury members, distributors, film programmers and press in attendance.

13. GAZE does not accept AI-generated films. All work must be original.

14. All films must have permission for music and artistic rights used within the work.

​15. Submission of a film represents agreement with the regulations set forth here.
29 Reviews
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  • Hugo Coelho

    A truly fantastic festival to be part of and one of the best we attended. The programme was outstanding and the team incredibly welcoming throughout. It was an absolute honour — and a real highlight — to have our short Stiff Drinks screened at GAZE.

    December 2025
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  • Luke Faulkner

    I've shown twice in GAZE in 21 and 25 and both times the team has been extremely communicative, hospitable and accommodating from submission to screening. The Q&A was extremely personable with the programmers really taking the time to watch and research each film.

    The festival is like an oasis of the best Irish queer talent, a great chance to meet up with old friends and, honestly, where I discover most queer cinema, the whole festival pushes way above it's weight and is one of the most daring and well produced queer festivals.

    November 2025
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  • Sarah Griffin

    An absolutely wonderful LGBTQ+ Film Festival! I would highly recommend submitting your film. The team of programmers and organisers are a pleasure to work with and they put together a truly beautiful curation for the LGBTQ+ Community. It is clear that they care deeply about cinema, art, and the community they are serving. It was a joy to be screened alongside such a brilliant selection of shorts. Thank you GAZE. I am already looking forward to GAZE 2026! :)

    August 2025
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  • Lewis Doherty

    One of the best festivals I have attended all year! Incredible programme, with a strong, welcoming, communicative team. Was an absolute honour and highlight of my year so far to have my film screened at GAZE! It was my first time attending and won't be my last.

    August 2025
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  • Nathan Neumann

    I couldn’t make the festival but the Gaze team and James were amazing. They kept me informed and even took some videos from the screening so I could see the audience reaction to Transition To Death. Was great to see a cinema full of people half way across the world howling with laughter at my little horror comedy! They also arranged a follow up screening outside of the festival. Thanks so much James :)

    September 2024
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