The OUT at the Movies International Film Fest in Winston-Salem is the second largest LGBTQ+ film festival in North Carolina. It was founded in 2014 to celebrate 10 years of OUT at the Movies, our monthly film series, which began in 2004. Each year, we showcase 25 - 30 films, including narratives and documentaries, features and shorts. We host nightly receptions for our filmmakers and audience members, as well as our closing night awards party. Although primarily a film festival, we have incorporated concerts, theatrical presentations and art exhibits at past festivals.

Here's some of our feedback from those who have screened here!

ANN WALKER, actor
OUT AT THE MOVIES FILM FESTIVAL IN WINSTON-SALEM N.C. is a perfect example of how a festival should be run. I have attended as an actress when my movie, A Very Sordid Wedding, played the festival. Then as a judge the next year and this year as a friend/moderator of the festival. Each time we were treated as VIP’s and given wonderful accommodations, invited to all of the fabulous parties and made to feel like we were family. Rex Welton has pulled together the most terrific volunteers, who all know what they’re doing and where we need to be. I’m happy to have the opportunity to praise all the hard work that Rex and company puts into this festival that makes it such a standout.

KEITH HARMAN, filmmaker
Out at the Movies is one of my favorite film festivals. They have an engaged audience that really appreciates indie gay cinema, and they go overboard to treat their filmmakers right. I had a lot of fun at the festival, made some good contacts, and had some fascinating discussions with audience members and other filmmakers.

MAT HAYES, filmmaker
My film, Cognitive, has screened at over two dozen festivals. Out At the Movies was by far the best experience I had. Rex’s leadership results in an extremely organized and communicative festival, with incredible support from the community. You really feel like an A-List celebrity here. I can’t wait to return! The accommodations, venues, transportation, volunteers, everything, was just perfect.

DEL SHORES, filmmaker
I have been fortunate enough to attend Out At The Movies Film Festivals multiple times, with my films as official selections and as a juror. Rex Welton runs one of the best, if not the best LGBTQ film festivals we have. Those who attend are treated like royalty, with parties and screenings, giving filmmakers and audiences weekends that will always be beautiful memories!

EMERSON COLLINS, actor/producer
Out At The Movies does filmmaker hosting as good as any festival anywhere! Their equal attention to the quality and variety of the films, the audience, and the experience the guest artists have during their time in Winston-Salem and at the festival make it an opportunity not to be missed.

ROSEMARY & NEWELL ALEXANDER, actors
Out at the Movies in Winston-Salem is overall the best film festival that Rosemary and I have attended in the 20 plus years we have been doing LGBT films. Rex Welton is a wonderful organizer, his staff is stellar, we never wanted for anything while we were there. Wish I had a film there every year.

Awards & Prizes

Jury awards for narrative and documentary features, narrative and documentary shorts, best screenplay and best performance in a leading and a supporting role.

Audience awards for best narrative feature, best documentary feature, best narrative short and best documentary short.

Rules & Terms

Criteria for Submission:

• All entries must be uploaded no later than July 31, 2024.
• All submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2023.
• All films must be in English or have English subtitles. Non-subtitled or dubbed
foreign language films will not be considered.
• All clearances must be obtained for exhibition.

Only the producer, director, screenwriter or someone closely connected to the film may complete the application.

Schools may submit films on behalf of student filmmakers in the student category.

Only complete entries will be accepted. This includes the non-refundable entry fee, a completed entry form and a screener.

Films submitted in previous years will not be accepted for submission.

Film Categories for Competition:

• Feature-length films (narrative or documentary) must be 40 minutes or longer.
• Film Shorts (narrative, documentary, experimental, animated) must be 39
minutes and 59 seconds or less.
• Student films must have been completed after January 1, 2024.

Although OUT at the Movies is a competitive festival, some films may be included in the program in a non-competition section.

Unfortunately, OUT at the Movies is unable to provide comments about specific films not accepted due to time and resource constraints.

Selected filmmakers may expect the following:

Filmmakers whose films are accepted for the festival will be notified via email by approximately August 31, 2024. All the privileges due filmmakers will be specified in this correspondence.

Each accepted film is entitled to two (2) VIP badges, giving free access to all events and screenings (subject to availability) at the festival. These passes are non-transferable and must be worn at all times in clear view. Badges must be picked up in person at the designated festival site.

For entries selected to the 2024 festival, an exhibition print or video of the film in proper format (DCP, Bluray or File (MP4 or MOV (H.264)) must be received no later than September 8, 2024. We do not currently have DCP capability on all screens, so alternate formats are preferable in most cases. Failure to comply with technical specifications may result in the removal of the film from festival competition.

The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The individual or corporation submitting this film additionally grants the OUT at the Movies International Film Festival the right to one or more in-person screening of the entry during the dates of October 3rd- October 6th, 2024 (projected festival dates).

Entries that are not completed or available for screening must pull their entry prior to July 31, 2024 or the film will be screened as entered.

Questions: rex@outatthemovies.org or 336.918.0902

12 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Frank Smith

    Literally one of the best festivals I've been to. So warm, welcoming, and wonderful. I loved Winston-Salem, and Rex is a master master of ceremonies. Could not recommend highly enough!

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • Zack Fox

    A wonderful festival with incredible hospitality to the filmmakers and guest!

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • Aikane Film

    As hate a bigotry spread across the United States, itʻs people and events like Out at the Movies that keep hope alive. Lovely festival, wonderful films. Much appreciated.

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • Josh Harris

    OUT was a great festival and a wonderful opportunity to connect with the Queer community as well as other film makers. The OUT Team was amazing with communicating, asking questions, and creating fun events outside of the screenings.

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • Christopher McNeany

    I had the most wonderful time at this festival. Rex and the whole team are so committed to making sure the filmmakers feel valued in every way possible. Great networking parties, beautiful screening venues, and in-depth Q&A's for visiting filmmakers. The list goes on! Highly recommend as a real gem on the festival circuit.

    October 2022
    Helpful
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    Response from festival:

    Hi Chris,

    Thanks for your very kind comments. Our team works very hard to make sure that we offer one of the very best festivals in the country to our filmmakers, actors, doc subjects, jurors, sponsors and audience members. I am so happy that we met and hopefully exceeded your expectations.

    We were thrilled to screen your film, GAY MEN GET REAL! COVID IN OUR COMMUNITY, and hope to see you at a future festival with your next film!

    Rex