The Hollywood Queer Short Film Festival, which is now open for submissions, has announced its theme for the 2025 event.

“Last year’s theme was ‘Lions and Tigers and Queers, Oh My,’” festival director Jim Hoffman said.  “We had fun with that, but this year we are facing a concerning political situation, posing a serious threat to our community.”

Therefore, the festival has chosen a theme that will acknowledge the role of film festivals in the continuing struggle for LGBTQ+ acceptance and rights.

“Starting in the decade after Stonewall, queer film festivals have been the cutting edge of our liberation and this year we return to a culture war that we thought we had transcended,” Hoffman said. “But the pendulum of history has been swinging away from us for a while now.”

The 2025 Festival theme this year is “Visibility is Resistance.”

The festival is currently evaluating submissions of short films (30 minutes or less) with queer content.

“The submission fees go up at intervals until we close the door, so it’s a good idea to send us your film early, ” Hoffman said.

The HQSFF will again screen at Founders Metropolitan Community Church, located at 4607 Prospect Ave. It will consist of four programs, two each day on the weekend of Oct 4-5. Festival passes, good for all four programs, are on sale now at a bargain price of $45 (down from the usual price of $65). Visit hqsff.com to purchase and more information.