VIRGINIA'S ONLY LGBTQ FILM FESTIVAL

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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

ADVANCING QUEER FILM

Eric
President/Festival Director

Eric Hause

Eric is the president of Outlife757, Hampton Roads’ LGBTQ Media and Events company.

Tanya
Vice President

Tanya Kaish Keller

Tanya is the owner of Me Jane PR and Comms, a public relations company in Norfolk.

Dr. Charles Ford
Director

Dr. Charles Ford

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

Alexcia Bailey
Director

Alexcia Bailey

Alexcia is a filmmaker and founder of PPL Productions which focuses on creating BIPOC LGBTQIA+ films and content.

Pryia
Director

Priya Vashist, MFA

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

Dr. Josh Howell
Director

Dr. Josh Howell

Dr. Howell is a local educator and college GSA advisor.

Gray
Director

Gray Lyden

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

2024 VAQFF sponsors-2