The Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival is known as an international stage to showcase some of the most groundbreaking LGBTQ cinema, but it is also for actively fostering filmmakers and feature films through its International Finance Forum (IFF), a unique artist development format that is changing the game for queer storytellers all over the world. Established as the first and only 2SLGBTQ+ finance forum of its kind, the IFF provides provides 2SLGBTQ+ producers, writers and directors creating 2SLGBTQ+ content an opportunity to move their feature projects forward through professional development, mentorship, and with the opportunity to pitch their projects directly to top international industry executives and decision-makers. The ninth edition of the IFF took place May 29-30, 2025.
The IFF has a proven track record of supporting compelling, successful, and impactful projects that often struggle to find funding through traditional avenues. These films span genres and narratives through queer perspectives. This year’s feature film projects included:
- A World Of My Own (U.S.): This Western romance marks the feature directorial debut for Niki Ang, who also wrote the script. The project is being produced by Laura Scarano and Andrew Ahn who directed Spa Night, Fire Island, and the recent remake of The Wedding Banquet.
- Don’t Let Him Get To You (Canada): This Canadian comedic drama is written and directed by Ben Lewis and has Orphan Black actor Tatiana Maslany attached as producer and star. Queen of My Dreams producer Andria Wilson Mirza is also set to produce.
- Here For The Right Reasons (US): From writer-director Susie Yankou and producer Allison Tate, the queer comedy has a unique premise involving a reality TV show.
- The Young And The Dopeness (UK): Writer-director Nosa Eke makes her feature directorial debut with a coming-of-age story through the lens of a masculine-presenting female teen. The film, produced by Nell Whitley, comes from Eke’s fresh perspective and is what the IFF aims to foster.
- When The River Splits Open (US/China): Writer-director Jess X Snow‘s romantic drama focuses on a non-binary Chinese-American character with Lucie Zhang and Huang Lu attached to star. The film, produced by Petrus van Staden, is a US/China co-production explores intersectional queer identities and transnational narratives.
This year’s IFF also included conversations with Elegance Bratton, Chester Algernal Gordon, Andrew Ahn, Fawzia Mirza, Shant Joshi, GLAAD’s Alex Schmider, and more.
Projects like these benefit from direct access to executives from leading companies like A24, Bleecker Street, NEON, Netflix, and StudioCanal, among others. And production and distribution companies benefit from the competitively selective slate IFF programmers choose to champion. Many of these companies and top executives attend the IFF every year. Critically acclaimed films that have come from IFF include Blue Jean, Breaking Fast, Disclosure, Mutt, and Sirens.
The goal is to provide participating filmmakers with direct access to decision-makers who can greenlight projects, support distribution efforts, and offer valuable feedback.
Inside Out also champions the RE:Focus Fund which specifically provides direct financial support and professional development to women, nonbinary, and trans filmmakers telling queer stories, offering post-production grants to help these projects reach completion and find audiences. The 2026 submission window will open this month.
In a world where LGBTQ visibility is more than significant than ever, opportunities like the Inside Out Film Festival’s Finance Forum are needed more than ever. They are not just supporting films, they are nurturing filmmakers, building community, and actively shaping a more inclusive and representative future for cinema.
Article written by By Dino-Ray Ramos for GLAAD. View the original post for more information.