Queer is a spirit, a resistance, a radical expression. We refuse to be defined by gender and binaries, or even further, we refuse to be defined, like masculine and feminine qualities, homosexuality and heterosexuality, males and females, and so on.

At the end of August, in Queenstown, this place will be adorned with vibrant rainbow flags, welcoming the largest winter Pride festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

Beyond the bustling bar parties, skiing, and extreme sports, we aspire to bring outstanding queer films from around the world here, to create a unique and alluring film festival.

Regardless of where you come from in the world, whether you belong to the rainbow community or are our allies, as long as you consider yourself a supporter of the queer spirit, we hope to see your works.

We want to witness the current state of the global queer community, experience more diverse and avant-garde expressions, and encounter solid and intriguing stories. And, of course, we want to explore profound reflections.

During that time, snow will cover the mountains, and this place will be bustling with people. Let us use visual storytelling to share the queer spirit with the world and show that this winter is not cold.

"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."
——Albert Camus

Awards & Prizes

Golden Q Award: 1000 NZD
Jury Award: 500 NZD
Special Mention Award: 250 NZD
TBA: 250 NZD

Jury 2023:

Shuli Huang (China)
-The Awarded Director of Festival de Cannes and Sundance Film Festival
-Director of Will You Look At Me (2022), which received Queer Palm of Festival de Cannes 2022 and Short Film Jury Award of Sundance Film Festival 2023.

Dr. Missy Molloy (New Zealand)
-Ph.D. Supervisor and Senior Lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington
-Lectures and publishes widely on Women’s, Queer, Posthuman, and Activist Cinemas.

Rules & Terms

About your short films:

1. All entries should be by, for, about or of significant interest to queer audiences (LGBTQI… ), and must have been completed within 2 years prior to the submission deadline, that is they must have been completed since 2021.
2. All short films must have a running time of 40 minutes or less.
3. The applicant holds the sole responsibility of copyright clearance of any copyrighted material in the film. Films including unauthorized copyrighted material are ineligible.
4. We only accept online screeners. We do not accept DVDs/Blu-Rays.
5. Minimum video resolution is 1080p. Higher resolutions are encouraged for optimal viewing experience.
6. Non-English films must include English subtitles. Subtitles should be embedded in the video or provided as a separate subtitle file (e.g. SRT format). Ensure the subtitles are accurately synchronized with the dialogue.

About selection:

1. Submitted films that qualify based on the regulations and eligibility requirements stated here will be seen by QQFF staff and be considered equally with all other submissions.
2. Successful entrants will be informed that their work has been selected by 20 August 2023
3. We regret to inform you that if your short film is not selected as a finalist, we will not notify you.
4. After being selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit an electronic press kit.

About our rights:

1. QQFF will attempt, but is under no obligation, to view a submission that arrives after the designated deadline without refund of the submission fee.
2. QQFF reserves the right to disqualify any film for non-payment or non-viewable of the submission fee.
3. Films submitted for the awards must strictly fit into the remit, running time and spirit of the chosen category. QQFF reserves the right to decline any submission without viewing the film should it fall outside of the terms and conditions without refund of the submission fee.

Please note that the above are the requirements and terms for short film submissions. It is recommended that you carefully read the specific guidelines and instructions, to ensure compliance with the requirements.

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  • Pierre Guiho

    Very honored by the selection of my film and so proud to be awarded! Good communication and good contact with the team. Thanks!

    September 2023
    Helpful