Features / bristol film
Queer Film Festival Open for Submissions
Queer media is more important now than ever. The mainstream media narrative chooses to focus on anti-LGBT legislation and sentiment. Visibility and representation of diverse LGBT+ perspectives can act as a direct counter to these movements.
The Queer Vision Film Festival runs as part of the Bristol Pride programme. The festival is looking for short films that are about or of interest to the LGBT+ community. Furthermore, the winning entry from Queer Vision Film Festival goes directly to the finals of the Best of British category at the Iris Prize.
The Iris Prize is sponsored by Film4 and Pinewood Studios. Offering a screening of the short films at Pinewood Studios, and a broadcast of the film on Film4. Nominees will also be entered for the International Iris Prize, offering a £40,000 prize to fund a further LGBT+ short film.
Love Bound screening at Watershed Cinema as part of Bristol Pride 2024
Harriet Taylor, Film Festival Producer for Bristol Pride, explained that this will allow filmmakers to potentially kickstart their careers. “It’s an opportunity to connect with other filmmakers, and to make friends also,” said Harriet.
Queer Vision presents an opportunity for the LGBT+ community to gather to celebrate films and queer voices. Harriet explained, “It has been centred around creating spaces for people who don’t want to socialise in club nights or intense gig spaces. It’s offering an alternative for everyone to gather, centred around film.”
She continued, “Queer Vision Film Festival is always well-attended. It is a celebratory event, people love to see what’s happening in the local area. It’s very special, there’s always magic in the air at the events.”
Queer Vision highlights LGBT+ media and voices, specifically from the Southwest, creating a platform for visibility and representation – photo: Portland Productions
Speaking on the importance of queer media, Harriet said, “I’m a trans woman. In 2026, my existence itself is radical. I began transitioning when I was 18, I’m 33 now. This is the point in time I have felt most attacked by mainstream media. In this time, we should be uniting and celebrating our identities together. It creates visibility to destroy harmful narratives in mainstream media.”
For more information, rules, and terms on the Queer Vision Film Festival, or to submit, visit their website: Queer Vision Film Festival – FilmFreeway
Main Image: Daryn Carter
Read next:
- In photos: Trans Pride 2026
- 15 years of Shoutout Radio
- The queer artist breaking barriers in electronic music
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