Queer East is a cross-disciplinary festival that showcases boundary-pushing LGBTQ+ cinema, live arts, and moving image work from East and Southeast Asia and its diaspora communities.

The festival was made by communities for communities. Its establishment is a direct response to the systemic lack of Asian representation on the big screen, on stage and behind the scenes. Working collaboratively with allies across the film, arts, and cultural sectors, we hope to join the forces bringing about change in screen culture and to enable an open space for everyone to explore the contemporary queer landscape across East and Southeast Asia.

The festival runs its main edition in venues across London, and has toured over 15 locations in the UK. We host screenings in cinemas, arts spaces, academic institutions, and cultural and community venues, and are committed to diverse programming: features, shorts, experimental films, and artists' moving image works are all welcome.

The sixth edition of the Queer East Festival is currently planned for April-May 2025 in venues across London, with its nationwide tour, On the Road, set to take place in autumn 2025.

FILM SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

We are looking for films and artists’ moving image works made by, or that are about, LGBTQ+ people in East or Southeast Asia, or diaspora communities. There are no restrictions on running time, language, and premiere status, and we welcome directors, cast members, and crew of all nationalities.

We embrace a wide spectrum of definitions of LGBTQ+, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, pansexual, queer, trans, non-binary, intersex, genderqueer, two-spirit and people with non-heterosexual identities. We also pay attention to films which challenge conventional norms of gender, sexual activity and family relationships.

We accept all types of film: features, shorts, experimental films, and artists' moving image work; both fictional narratives and documentary.

The film should have been completed within the last 3 years.

All entries not in the English language should have English subtitles. Premiere status is not a requirement, but we may prioritise films that have not yet reached a wide audience in the UK.

We only accept online screeners, submitted through FilmFreeway. We do not accept any other format, such as DVD, BluRay or other hard copy submissions. We do not accept email or postal submissions.

In addition to the film link, you may submit 1 accompanying digital file - a press kit or other document containing information about your film.

You may only submit one film per online submission. If you wish to submit multiple films, please submit each film individually, using a separate form.

You must notify us, at the point of submission, of any press, publicity or promotional restrictions.

The person submitting the film must hold full rights to the film. The festival will correspond only with the person who originally submitted the film.

FILM EXHIBITION REQUIREMENTS:

If your film is selected, you must be able to provide a DCP for your film, as well as the original digital file (mov or mp4). The festival will not produce DCPs on behalf of filmmakers, nor pay for the cost of producing a DCP.

DCPs and any other exhibition material should preferably be delivered digitally, where possible, to the festival technical team. However, we also accept DCPs on physical hard drives when digital delivery is not possible.

By submitting your film to Queer East you agree, if your work is accepted, for the festival to use publicity stills, trailers, and clips from the film (of up to 1 minute), for promotional purposes only, in perpetuity.

SUBMISSION FEE WAIVER:

If you require a fee waiver in order to submit your film, please contact us prior to the Earlybird deadline. Fee waivers are not guaranteed. Requests will not be considered after the Earlybird deadline.

SCREENING FEE:

If your film is selected to screen at the festival, we will offer a one-off screening fee. The screening fee is based on industry standards, and the size of screening event, and will be negotiated with the filmmaker, producer or distributor.

The screening fee will cover all screenings of the work at the festival, including the main London edition and the UK tour.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Max Disgrace

    You can really feel the love that goes into Queer East! It was an honour to have our film screen at the festival and to be invited for a Q&A with our cast! The creativity of the programming makes this such a enticing festival which I look forward to visiting every year - a personal favourite feature this year was "ASOG".

    As festival guests, we were warmly welcomed by the programmers. Our screening was a full house, and the questions prepared by Emily (programmer & host) truly saw the heart of our film. Yi, the festival director, always says hello at screenings :) and he has achieved so much with the festival in such a short span of time (4 years). As a side note - I also love the aesthetics of the programme, website and tote bags - always impeccable designs!

    We are truly blessed to have this queer East Asian festival in London! Thank you, Queer East team!

    May 2024
  • Dorothy Cheung

    Having been to the festival twice. Queer East is one of the best festivals in LDN with a very creative programme and a passionate team. Many screenings were sold out and the audience were great. It is truly a pleasure to be part of it.

    May 2024
  • Justice Khor (he/him)

    Being part of the much needed (queer & Asian) film festival was truly rewarding. The team's dedication was evident in every aspect, making our experience truly memorable. I'm thrilled that my film resonated with audiences, leading to an invitation to another festival. Grateful for the opportunity to share my work and amplify diverse voices!

    May 2024
  • Gao Guo

    We are so glad to be included in QEFF! The staffs are so patient and we had a good time during the Q&A.

    June 2022