FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Hollywood Queer Short Film Festival (HQSFF) announced today that filmmakers will compete for cash awards when the festival presents its four programs this October. The new prizes mark a significant expansion of the festival’s longstanding awards program, with several awards already underwritten by community sponsors.
“We may not have cash prizes in every category this year, but filmmakers will definitely be competing for cash awards,” said HQSFF Festival Director Jim Hoffman. “We’re also introducing several unique honors that audiences won’t typically find at other film festivals.”
In previous years, HQSFF has presented jury awards recognizing excellence across multiple categories, along with audience awards for Favorite Drama, Favorite Comedy, and Favorite Documentary. The new cash awards will reflect the interests and values of individual prize sponsors, subject to approval by the festival jury.
Among the first announced sponsors is CMEN (Community of Men Enjoying Naturism), the world’s largest gay naturist organization. CMEN is funding a cash award for Most Sex-Positive Film. Longtime festival sponsor Tom Rosa, owner of Cake and Art, will sponsor the Sweetest-Themed Film award.
“We’re continuing to welcome businesses and individuals as prize funders,” Hoffman said. “By the time the festival opens in October, we expect to have an exciting and diverse collection of awards that celebrates the creativity and originality of our filmmakers.”
The festival will present four screening programs at the Hudson Theatres, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles:
- Friday, October 2, at 7:00 p.m.
- Two programs on Saturday, October 3.
- Sunday, October 4, at 2:00 p.m.
Festival programmers are currently reviewing submissions received through FilmFreeway, the world’s leading film festival submission platform. “We expect to announce our complete film lineup and begin ticket sales by September 1 at hqsff.com,” Hoffman said.
As additional prize sponsors are confirmed, the festival will announce them on its website and through its social media channels.
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