About the LGBT Film Festival Network

The LGBTQ+ Film Festival Network exists to strengthen the global ecosystem of LGBTQ+ cinema by connecting filmmakers, film festivals and distributors through trust, transparency and collaboration.

Founded and run by Naomi Bennett, CEO and Founder of Lesflicks and SapphicIFF. The Network is part of a wider strategy to improve opportunities, visibility and outcomes for sapphic and LGBTQ+ films. It responds directly to a growing problem within the festival landscape, particularly for emerging filmmakers. Too many creators are misled by fake film festivals, pay-for-laurels schemes or high-volume monthly events that offer little genuine value, feedback or audience engagement.

This platform is designed to help filmmakers make informed, strategic decisions about where to submit their work. At the same time, it aims to amplify and support legitimate, high-quality LGBTQ+ film festivals that are doing meaningful cultural work and serving real audiences.

The Network acts as a shared space for the LGBTQ+ film community. It brings together filmmakers seeking guidance and opportunity, festival programmers looking to discover strong new work and distributors searching for films with proven festival traction. Education sits at the heart of the platform, alongside practical tools that support smarter festival strategy, stronger programming networks and more sustainable pathways to distribution.

Key aims of the LGBTQ+ Film Festival Network include:

• Improving transparency and trust within the LGBTQ+ festival circuit

• Supporting filmmakers to avoid exploitative or low-value festivals

• Amplifying reputable LGBTQ+ film festivals globally

• Encouraging collaboration between festival programmers

• Creating clearer routes from festivals to distribution

By centralising knowledge, networks and resources, the LGBTQ+ Film Festival Network helps the community move away from isolation and guesswork towards shared standards, mutual support and long-term impact.