Ireland’s pioneering Queer Spectrum Film Festival (QSFF) is set to return for its second edition during Summer Pride 2025, taking place on June 13 and 14 at the Irish Film Institute (IFI). This groundbreaking festival continues to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals of colour and immigrants, providing a vital space for stories often underrepresented in mainstream cinema. Submissions are now open on FilmFreeway, and filmmakers can access the submission link through the festival’s Instagram and website.

The Queer Spectrum Film Festival is organised by Queer Asian Pride Ireland (QAPI), a collective focused on promoting inclusivity for LGBTQ+ individuals of Asian descent and other marginalised communities in Ireland.  More than just a film festival, QSFF represents a movement aimed at increasing visibility, understanding, and solidarity within Ireland’s queer community.

The festival is led by Pradeep Mahadeshwar, who serves as the director, producer, and programmer, alongside Lee Isac, the co-organiser and programmer. QSFF is a non-competitive festival that showcases the most exciting contemporary LGBTQ+ filmmakers of color to Irish audiences, highlighting the contributions of LGBTQ+ creatives both in front of and behind the camera. Importantly, QSFF is a not-for-profit public festival entirely run by volunteers.

“Every time I initiate an event for LGBTQIA+ people of colour and immigrants in Ireland, funding appears as a core issue. I honestly think that this is high time to consider a strategic and futuristic plan for funding and infrastructural investments in LGBTQIA+ people of colour and immigrant initiatives. We want inclusion beyond just Black and Brown stripes on the flag,” Mahadeshwar said.

 

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Following the success of its debut in 2024 at the Project Arts Center, along with a collaboration with the GAZE Film Festival and a tour to Limerick for Limerick Alt Pride, Queer Spectrum Film Festival returns in 2025 with an even more dynamic and engaging program. The festival will showcase a selection of short and feature films created by queer people of colour (QPoC), highlighting the complex emotional, social, and political landscapes that shape their lived experiences. Through this, QSFF aims to foster open dialogue between artists and audiences, deepening connections and broadening perspectives.

This year’s program at the IFI will feature curated short film blocks, thought-provoking feature films, and a robust panel discussion that explores the intersections of queerness, migration, and creative expression. By situating the QSFF within the cultural heart of Dublin at IFI, the festival aims to push the boundaries of representation and provide opportunities for both emerging and established filmmakers to share their stories with an engaged audience.

The festival includes three submission categories:
1. Short Film – General
2. Feature Films (including Narrative and Documentary)
3. Short Film – DIY | Self-funded projects
They especially encourage DIY and independent films from marginalised individuals and groups to submit their work.

QSFF is not only a celebration of queer storytelling but also a call to action for increased inclusion within Ireland’s artistic and cultural sectors. As the festival grows, it reinforces the importance of supporting diverse narratives and ensuring that LGBTQ+ immigrants and people of colour have a platform to share their unique experiences.

QSFF 2025 promises to be an inspiring, bold, and unmissable event that showcases the vibrancy and strength of Ireland’s diverse LGBTQ+ communities.

This year, QSFF is receiving support from IFI, INAR, and GCN. However, the festival is still seeking sponsors and donors to help sustain and expand this vital platform.

For more information and updates, follow Queer Spectrum Film Festival and Queer Asian Pride Ireland on social media.