10 Jul Pitch Your Film at Queer Screen Pitch Off!
Calling all emerging LGBTIQ+ filmmakers! Do you have what it takes to publicly pitch your short film project with passion and conviction?
Queer Screen Pitch Off offers Australian LGBTIQ+ filmmakers the opportunity to share in a $20,000 prize pool including $10,000 in funding to produce a short film that addresses the lives and stories of people of diverse genders and sexualities. To qualify, all film projects submitted must meet the eligibility requirements.
After an initial assessment of all eligible film projects, six filmmakers will be chosen to present their film proposals to a panel of expert assessors.
Finalists will have no more than five minutes to pitch their proposal and impress the panel and the public, so make your time count!
The winner will receive $10,000 in short film funding. Additionally, all finalists will have the opportunity for a free script consultation from Matthew Dabner (Lecturer in Media Arts and Production at UTS, and renowned script editor, writer, and producer) via Zoom, along with two Flexi 6 passes to the 12th Queer Screen Film Fest.
In 2025, we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Screen Australia’s Gender Matters Taskforce to offer the following initiatives for eligible female and gender-diverse practitioners selected as finalists:
- The Gender Matters Taskforce Screenwriting Prize, a $5,000 cash prize for the best screenplay by a female or gender-diverse screenwriter
- The Gender Matters Taskforce Professional Development Prize, a $5,000 cash prize towards a program of self-directed professional development for a female or gender-diverse filmmaker or filmmaking team
Application deadline:
- Non-Members: Monday 28th July, 2025
- Queer Screen Members: Monday 4th August, 2025
Successful candidates will be notified by Monday 18th August, 2025 and are strongly encouraged to pitch in person at the Pitch Off event on Sunday 31st August, 2025, at Event Cinemas George Street in Sydney – or they can pitch remotely.
Review detailed information, including terms and conditions and how to submit here.
Queer Screen Pitch Off has been supporting emerging Australian LGBTIQ+ filmmakers since 2018, with six projects awarded much needed funding and 42 filmmakers receiving vital pitching experience.
Think you have what it takes?
Past Winners
Since 2018 Queer Screen Pitch Off has awarded Australian LGBTIQ+ filmmakers $10,000 annually of funding towards the production of a short film (narrative, documentary or a stand alone web series pilot) dealing with the experiences of people of diverse genders and sexualities.
2024
Queer Screen Pitch Off winner of $10,000 in production funding
INHERITANCE
Mohammad Awad
$5,000 Gender Matters Taskforce Screenwriting Prize
THE DYSPHORIA
Kylie Aoibheann
$5,000 Gender Matters Taskforce Professional Development Prize
THE SWELL
Aliyah Knight