Queer Film Network

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What and Who is QFN?

The Queer Film Network (QFN) was established in October 2015 after meeting in 2014 at a Film Hub Wales programming event as part of the IRIS Prize Film Festival.

There was a clear gap in LGBTQIA+ cinema between exhibitors and the distribution and production sectors. Film programmers across the UK who specialise in LGBTQIA+ programming noted that they were often voluntary and worked in isolation. QFN connected and supported these programmers, to promote screen diversity across the UK film sector to bring quality British films to wider a audiences.

QFN was a strategic Film Hub Wales project, supported by the BFI Film Audience Network.

Read the project highlights below...

Create links between exhibitors and the distribution and production sectors.
Provide a stronger platform for LGBTQIA+ film year round.
Developing audiences for queer cinema through the UK and Ireland, with increased access to films and information.
Increasing screening opportunities for queer filmmakers.
Exchanging creative and practical ideas, information and experiences with the aim of benefiting members’ film festivals and year-round programmes.
Instigating and supporting programmes and events that the network hopes will be toured around the UK and Ireland.
Growing and developing the network by opening up membership to queer film programmers nationwide.

There were 18 members split across eight Film Hub Regions and one international member:

The network was launched to 100 industry guests and audience members at Iris in October 2015.
16 members split across 8 Film Hub regions.
Since the inaugural full members meeting in Sheffield, there were 7 gatherings in 15/16 with 34 attendances by 21 individuals. QFN held their first meeting of 16/17 in Liverpool on the 20th/21st of August where they discussed upcoming tours, trade union funding opportunities and positive methods for evaluating LGBTQIA audiences.
There were 645 audience attendances across 6 events in 15/16.
QFN has met at Liverpool Pride, Flare in London, Gaze in Dublin and Iris Cardiff.
QFN has been represented at events in Cardiff and Manchester, where three members of QFN were invited to speak at a Queer Film Festivals Symposium demonstrating the profile of the network.
Relationships have been built with major queer film distributors such as Peccadillo Pictures, TLA Releasing and Wolfe Releasing.
In celebration of LGBT History Month, QFN coordinated its first tour with the support of FAN. Exceeding predicted audience figures, the tour was very well received.
Unashamed Claim To Visibility Tour: Films About Queerness and Dis/ability is a short film package curated by QFN. Find out more here.

As part of the LGBT History Month tour, ‘In The Closet’ screened at Queer Media Manchester, Rainbow F.F. Shrewsbury, Fringe! London and Queer Vision Bristol, with Q&A from director Stu Maddox. Other films programmed include Iris LOVE bites shorts, The New Black and the POUT Peccadillo Tour.

A calendar of relevant anniversary/significant dates has been set up, which offer opportunities for collaborative themed screenings and tours such as LGBT History month, World Aids day, TDoR (Trans Day of Remembrance) and IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia theme ‘Families’).

Three tours are planned for 16/17, including Real Boy; a trans documentary which will visit Glasgow, Shropshire and Cardiff accompanied by Jo Stevens who will also be performing his acoustic set as part of the evening. The Best of Iris 2016 will also play across the network, with plans to certificate by the BBFC.

“It is already making a differences to individual festivals in advancing their work.”
“Being part of the QFN has been invaluable. I am extremely proud to have been invited to the intial meeting in Cardiff and be given a voice in the birth of the network.”
“The Sheffiled meeting was a great chance to hear the best practice on making venues and screenings more accessible.”
“The support of Berwyn Rowlands in being able to screen IRIS shorts has been extremely good – the short film night was one of our best attended of the year and mixing IRIS content with locally made short films is a winning formula that other Network members can replicate.”
“This initially looked like a difficult proposition as the membership was so diverse, with some having paid staff and others relying 100% on volunteers. In the end it became clear that we also had a lot in common, and although some had annual budgets of £100,000 and others budgets of £1,000, we were all contributing in different ways to increasing audiences for LGBT film. The diversity in membership, coupled with different priorities, is a strength and I’ve been able to change priorities.”
One partner remarked that they have a “potential new audience for LGBT short films because of the relationships established through the QFN.”
“I have developed and re-launched our festival using content through a new partnership. The partnerships feed directly into my programming and have increased Queer Visions screenings and therefore increased audience numbers.”
“Bristol Pride’s film festival Queer Vision has capitalised on networking opportunities through the QFN and has worked very hard to make the most of the knowledge, resources and support that has been available and as a result our festival has been transformed.”
“Not only did it give me the opportunity to network with, and forge links with LGBT film festivals in the UK, but it was also very creatively stimulating with regard to programming LGBT film – addressing balances in content and exploring new areas of thematic content.”