February 26, 2024 (Vancouver, BC) – The Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF) is changing its annual Festival dates from August to September. The upcoming 36th edition will take place September 11-22, 2024. The Festival will include a programme with approximately 100 films and episodic content authored by 2SLGBTQIA+ creators and centred on 2SLGBTQIA+ protagonists. The Festival will also feature parties, performances from local and international artists, post-screening Q&As with filmmakers, and industry events. Some films will be available to stream online within BC.

“Our team began 2024 eager to build on the success of last year’s Festival, which was the most well-attended edition of VQFF in a decade,” said Out On Screen’s Artistic Director, Charlie Hidalgo. “We are strategically shifting our dates to access more of the best and latest 2SLGBTQIA+ cinema from across Canada and the international festival circuit, and bring them to Vancouver and BC. Creating space between VQFF and Vancouver Pride will also allow our audiences and local partners to give our films and presenting artists the fanfare, attention, and love they deserve.”

The Festival will expand its youth programming this year, with select matinee screenings for local school groups. 

“For the first time, VQFF’s dates will fall within the school year, which creates exciting opportunities for us to connect educators and young people with diverse, affirming, and authentic stories by 2SLGBTQIA+ artists that they may not otherwise have access to,” said Gavin Somers, Education Director, Out On Screen. “In the current political and social climate, it is more important than ever for youth and queer people to see affirming representation and possibilities for themselves.”

VQFF’s sibling program Out In Schools was founded in 2004 to bring positive, age-appropriate film, education, and dialogue about 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences into schools across BC. Freely available for educators online, films in the Out In Schools catalogue are often acquired through VQFF. New films are added every year.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
media@outonscreen.com

About Out On Screen

Out On Screen is a charitable organization that illuminates, celebrates, and transforms 2SLGBTQIA+ lives through film, education, and dialogue. We pursue our mission with two core programs: The annual Vancouver Queer Festival celebrates and promotes authentic authorship and representation that uplifts, empowers, and furthers the liberty, culture, and justice of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. The award-winning Out In Schools program brings age-appropriate 2SLGBTQIA+ cinema into school classrooms and communities across BC to combat homophobia, transphobia, and bullying, and to provide the language and tools for inclusion. Out On Screen is proud to be a leading organization working to create an equitable society where 2SLGBTQIA+ people are respected, valued, and protected across all our intersections of identity.

www.outonscreen.com 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/queerfilmfest
Facebook: www.facebook.com/VancouverQFF
Twitter: www.twitter.com/queerfilmfest