award winners banner for webVIRGINIA'S ONLY LGBTQ FILM FESTIVAL

September 12-14, 2025

University Theatre

Old Dominion University, Norfolk VA

Enabling

A KALEIDOSCOPE OF QUEER STORIES

The Virginia Queer Film Festival provides access to films by, for, and about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people and their families, and a forum for LGBTQ+ filmmakers to share and discuss their work with audiences. We host our Film Festivals on the campus of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. This Festival is the first of its kind in Virginia and one of only a handful of LGBTQ+ film festivals in the American South.

Our vision is to elevate the spectrum of queer stories to educate, entertain, and build deeper acceptance and understanding of the Southern queer experience. While we accept submissions from all filmmakers, our mission is to foster local and regional community engagement by showcasing queer film programming, educational experiences, and social dialogue with a focus on Virginia and Southern voices.

JOIN US AND SUPPORT LGBTQ+ FILM.

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Festival Statistics

CREATE WITH VAQFF

45 +

Awards Awarded

200 +

Films Submitted

200 +

Volunteers

1800 +

Hours of Film

MEET THE BOARD

QUEER FILMMAKING IS IS VITAL

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President/Festival Director

Eric Hause

He/Him

Eric is the founder and publisher of Outlife757, Hampton Roads’ LGBTQ Magazine and Events Company.

Tanya
Vice President

Tanya Kaish Keller

She/Her

Tanya, a long-time PR counselor, is passionate about supporting the arts and human rights in this region.

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Director

Dr. Charles Ford

He/Him

Dr. Ford is a tenured history professor at Norfolk State University and expert in Virginia and Southern queer history.

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Director

Blake Pfeil

He/Him

Blake is a multidisciplinary creative who brings a wealth of experience across an array of artistic mediums that all come down to one commonality: storytelling.

Priya Vashist TASVEER 1
Director

Priya Vashist, MFA

She/Her

Priya is a screenwriter, filmmaker, and Assistant Professor of Film at Old Dominion University.

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Director

Gray Lyden

They/Them

Gray is a transgender LGBTQ organizer based in Norfolk with a  bachelor's degree in Women's and Gender Studies at Old Dominion University.

Dominic Melito
Director

Dominic Melito

He/Him

Dominic is a recently retired 30 year veteran teacher and continues to be committed to education. 

2025 sponsors web