Founded in 1991 Inside Out has grown to become the largest 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival in Canada. For over three decades, Inside Out has united Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ communities to celebrate the best in queer cinema from Canada and around the globe. Through our annual festival in Toronto, filmmaker initiatives, youth engagement, and year-round events and screenings, Inside Out remains committed to challenging attitudes and transforming lives.
The 2025 Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival will feature a competitive film program with four juried awards: Best First Feature, Emerging Canadian Artist, Best Canadian Feature, and Best Canadian Short. Additionally, cash prizes will be awarded for three Audience Awards: Best Short, Best Narrative Feature, and Best Documentary.
Submissions Open September 30, 2024
Earlybird Deadline November 18, 2024
Regular Deadline December 16, 2024
Late Deadline January 13, 2025
For questions about submissions, please visit our FilmFreeway page or email us at programming@insideout.ca
How do I submit my film? All submissions must be made via FilmFreeway. We do not accept submissions by email. A separate entry form is required for each film being submitted.
Are rough cuts accepted? Works-in-progress and rough cuts are accepted but a completed exhibition copy should be available for final approval by February 9, 2025. We encourage you to submit your film as close to completion as possible.
Do you require captions to submit? Captions are not required when submitting your film for consideration. However, all films selected to screen at Inside Out must include captions or subtitles in English. While we cannot offer caption creation services, we’re happy to provide recommendations.
What films are eligible for submission? We are seeking films that are inclusive of—and of interest to—the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. This includes narrative, documentary, experimental, and animated films, both feature-length and shorts. Films with a completion date no more than 18 months before the festival dates are eligible. Films completed after the previous year’s festival will be given preference.
Are there submission fees? Yes. Submission fees help us provide filmmaker support during the festival so every dollar goes back into creating the best festival experience for you and our community.
We aim to eliminate as many barriers as possible, so if you need assistance with fees, please reach out to us at programming@insideout.ca.
Click the button below to learn more and to submit your work!
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