A joyful and honest conversation about what it means to tell queer stories that are not defined by struggle alone. While trauma has shaped so much of queer storytelling, it is not the only story worth telling. This panel explores how creators are using humor, playfulness, intimacy, and everyday moments to build narratives that feel full, lived-in, and expansive. From quiet connection to big, bold storytelling, we’ll look at how joy can exist alongside complexity, and how centering it can open up new possibilities for what queer stories can be.

Moderator: Ray Taylor, Founder & Executive Director of Queer Film Collective
Panelists: Announcement Coming Soon

A behind-the-scenes conversation that pulls back the curtain on how writers rooms actually function and how queer stories are developed within them. From pitching and breaking story to navigating collaboration, conflict, and power dynamics, this panel explores what it really takes to bring authentic queer narratives to the screen. We’ll talk about how ideas evolve in a room, how writers advocate for representation, and how workplace culture can either support or limit the kinds of stories that get told.

Moderator: Announcement Coming Soon
Panelists: Announcement Coming Soon

A candid and grounded conversation about what it takes to maintain your mental health while building a career as a queer creative. From navigating unstable work environments to managing visibility, pressure, and burnout, this panel explores the real emotional landscape of working in film and television today. We’ll talk about how identity intersects with career, what support can actually look like, and how individuals and communities can create sustainable practices that allow artists to keep going without losing themselves in the process.

Moderator: Ray Taylor, Founder & Executive Director of Queer Film Collective
Panelists: Announcement Coming Soon

Horror and science fiction have always been queer, even when they were not allowed to say it out loud. This panel explores how genre storytelling has long used the idea of “the other” to reflect queer identity, fear, and transformation, and how creators today are reclaiming that space with intention. From monsters and body horror to alien worlds and alternate realities, we will look at how these genres allow artists to challenge rigid identities, build expansive worlds, and tell stories that are bold, strange, and deeply personal. We will also dig into the practical side of making this work, especially in independent spaces, and how limitations can become part of the creative language.

Moderator: M.T. Peralta, Director of Community & Volunteer Engagement
Panelists: Announcement Coming Soon

Making a film without money is never easy, but for many queer filmmakers, it is the reality. This panel explores how to create ambitious, intentional work with limited resources while staying true to your voice. From grassroots fundraising to scrappy production techniques and alternative distribution strategies, we will break down what it actually takes to get a project off the ground and into the world. We will also look at how community becomes a key resource, and how limitations can shape not just the process, but the creative identity of the work itself.

Moderator: Announcement Coming Soon
Panelists: Announcement Coming Soon

Building a creative career is not just about the work, it is also about sustainability. This panel focuses on the financial realities of working in film and television and what it takes to create stability in an industry that is often unpredictable. From budgeting and managing inconsistent income to planning for long-term goals, we will break down practical tools and strategies that help creatives take control of their finances. The conversation will also address the unique challenges many artists face and how financial literacy can support both creative freedom and career longevity.

Moderator: First Entertainment Credit Union
Panelists: Announcement Coming Soon

Finishing your film is only the beginning. This panel breaks down what it actually takes to get your work into the world, from building a smart festival strategy to navigating distribution and connecting with the audiences your film is meant for. Centered on queer filmmakers, the conversation will explore the real challenges and opportunities that come with releasing LGBTQ+ stories, and how community, positioning, and timing all play a role in a film’s life beyond production. Panelists will share practical insights, real experiences, and strategies for turning one project into momentum for what comes next.

Moderator: Jesse Randall, Director of Events
Panelists: Announcement Coming Soon

Queer filmmakers are creating bold, meaningful work in a time when visibility is both powerful and contested. This panel explores what it means to continue making art while navigating the political realities surrounding LGBTQ+ rights, representation, and safety. We will look at how artists are building spaces that feel genuinely inclusive, how they respond to backlash and censorship, and how their work extends beyond the screen to foster real community. At its core, this conversation is about resilience, intention, and the role of storytelling as both expression and action.

Moderator: Announcement Coming Soon
Panelists: Announcement Coming Soon