history

The Oscar® qualifying Out On Film festival is 501(c)3 nonprofit and is one of the most acclaimed and respected LGBTQ film festivals around.

Established in 1987 by Rebecca Ranson and other community leaders, Out on Film eventually became a part of IMAGE Film and Video and later the Atlanta Film Festival. In 2008, Out on Film became an independent organization. What started as a five day festival has grown into an eleven day celebration of LGBTQ stories and artists including narrative features, documentaries, short films and premieres. We are a festival that places a high premium on quality with a focus on visiting filmmakers and showcasing the voices of tomorrow. Our mission is to provide a high-quality film festival that is diverse and inclusive, ensuring that all in our community are represented.  Some of the films that we show are meant merely for entertainment, but many others - especially the documentaries - are meant to educate and address timely issues such as discrimination and social justice, HIV/AIDS, religion, and marriage equality. We have been the recipient of many awards, including a grant from the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the Oscars®) in 2013 for our visiting filmmaker series. We have been grand marshals in the Atlanta Pride parade, the recipient of the 2018 Beacon Award for Community Engagement from the ArtsATL Luminary Awards and a 2018  Best of Atlanta award from Atlanta Magazine for Support of LGBTQ artists.  In 2019 Jim Farmer received the Businessman of the Year award from the Out Georgia Business Alliance and in 2020 Out On Film won the Pivot of the Year award from the Out Georgia Business Alliance.

In 2020 we became an Oscar® qualifying film festival, one of only two LGBTQ film festivals in the U.S. and one of only six LGBTQ film festivals in the world. This means that the film that wins our Jury Award for Best Drama Shorts is now eligible for consideration for the next year's Academy Awards®.

In 2022 we received two huge honors - we were included in Film Freeway's 100 Best Reviewed Film Festivals and Moviemaker magazine listed us in their 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee for the first time. We were the only LGBTQ film festival included. 

Out On Film tells our stories  -  as only we can tell them.  

photo of a pride flag on a blue sky background
Photo of filmmaker, attendees and a drag queen for Out On Film at Landmark Theater

mission

The mission of Out on Film is to inform, entertain, educate, and enrich the LGBTQ culture by showcasing films by, for, and about the LGBTQ community and its allies.

photo of the 2022 Screenplay Completion Table read. Showing 4 readers and the Screenplay Winner

vision

Out on Film promotes LGBTQ film, video and digital art forms and recognizes the creative work of artists and professionals, many with local connections, who tell the stories of all facets of the LGBTQ community.

values

  • Provide a platform and support for independent, under-represented, and new artists exploring the LGBTQ experience.

    Maintain a reputation among visiting artists as a premier arts presenter.

    Foster excellence in cinematic programming and showcase the diversity of LGBTQ voices and stories.

  • Enhance community engagement through awareness of the importance of the festival and increase attendance at festival events.

    Provide community and individual connections to the LGBTQ experience through the arts.

    Partner with local businesses and nonprofits to elevate the role of the arts in the community.

  • Maintain collective ownership through non-hierarchical and participatory decision-making.