Screener Info 2027

Welcome 2027 Queer Fear Screeners! All screeners are asked to watch and rate films within FilmFreeway. You should see Queer Fear Film Festival under your accounts when you log in. We're a small team, so note that for transparency, all screeners can see everyone's ratings and notes.

GENERAL INFO

  • Each film should be screened from beginning to end, unless some grossly substandard technical element (like sound) would make it literally un-screenable during the festival, OR if it in no way, shape, or form is a fit for our event (i.e. it's an uplifting documentary or a heterosexual romantic comedy).

  • Each film needs a minimum of 2 ratings, and 3 is our goal. If a film already has 3 ratings, you're still welcome to watch and rate it if you’re interested! The more you screen, the more hours you collect toward All-Access Passes, and the more you can weigh in during our final programming roundtable.

  • The Festival Director will send monthly screener update emails. Please email tiffany@queerfearfilmfestival.com at any time if you encounter any issues during screening (bad files, etc.).

  • We will schedule a programming roundtable on Zoom in mid to late November to make final festival selections and to determine awards before notifications go out. All screeners are welcome and encouraged to attend. All screener ratings and notes will be considered, regardless of attendance.

  • Screeners will receive complimentary All-Access Pass(es), based on the number of hours screened.

    • 10+ hours: 1 All-Access Pass

    • 20+ hours: 2 All-Access Passes

    • 30+ hours: 3 All-Access Passes

    • 40+ hours: 4 All-Access Passes

FESTIVAL DEADLINES

Super Earlybird Deadline: July 1

Earlybird Deadline: September 1

Regular Deadline: October 1

Late Deadline: November 1

Filmmaker Notification Date: December 1

2027 Festival: Saturday, February 20 at a/perture cinema in downtown Winston-Salem

JUDGING CRITERIA

Each film should be rated on the below criteria:

Overall
Your gut instinct rating to the film, on a 1-5 star scale. The whole may be greater or lesser than the sum of the parts, so this rating may differ from the average score in the below categories.

Originality
The look and feel of the film is creative and unique in itself. Displays innovative ideas or storytelling techniques. The film isn’t predictable and keeps the viewer engaged throughout.

Direction
Clear, cohesive choices were made that advanced the story. The cinematography was thought out and added meaning to the film. The director created a captivating film.

Performances
Believable performances that don’t pull focus from the scene. Acting supported the film and brought life to the characters. The characters enhanced the film and its story.

Production Value
The overall quality of production elements in the film. Thoughtful planning is visible and successful execution is present on screen If SFX were used, they were implemented smartly and aided the story.

Pacing / Editing
The film felt neither too fast nor too slow and kept to a rhythm. Editing used helps clarify the film and enhance the pacing. Transitions and camera work are well executed and not distracting to the viewer. Opening and closing credits are legible and aesthetically appealing for film.

Writing
The dialogue felt true to the tone of the film and the premise of its plot. The interactions between characters were believable and easy to follow. Writing is coherent and resonates with the viewer.

Sound / Music
All audio/sound is evenly layered and doesn’t distract or pull focus. Music/SFX is appropriately themed and complements the story. All dialogue/narration is clear and easy to understand.

Representation
Characters display a large breadth of personalities, looks, and backgrounds, particularly the representation of queer characters. Relevant themes are covered in a constructive matter that advances the plot. Storylines/characters are portrayed fairly and with complexity and respect.

In addition to rating these criteria, each rating includes three short-answer questions:

Why did you give this film/screenplay the rating you did?
At least 1 sentence. Explain your overall rating, and/or what you felt were the strongest/weakest elements of the film.

Provide a brief summary of the film.
At least 1 sentence, as if you were writing a program description, or describing the story to a friend.

If you're recommending the film, what would you want to ask the filmmaker during the Q&A?

5-STAR RATING SYSTEM

Each rating is out of 5 stars.

5 Stars: Favorite / Exceptional / Well-Crafted Work of Art 

4 Stars: Great / Exciting, Affecting, Memorable Achievement / Enlightening

3 Stars: Good / Interesting Concept or Execution with Some Flaws / Mixed Feelings

2 Stars: Flawed / Mediocre / Highly Questionable

1 Star: Notably Flawed and Frustrating / Wholly Deficient / Shameful Failure / Atrocity

YOUR RECOMMENDATION

Pass: Few, if any, of the elements in the film were well executed. The film was hard to comprehend, not interesting to watch, or seemed wrong for this festival. 

Recommend: Most or all of the film elements are strong and well-executed. The movie was a joy to watch and the experience would best be shared with festival audiences.

Award-Worthy: Clearly well-executed and thoroughly attention-grabbing. Would do very well in a festival setting and is deserving of special recognition for its artistry, vision, message, etc. 

Maybe: Some elements of the film were strong, other elements were weak or unsatisfactory. Overall, the film was about average. Possibly not the best fit for this festival. Elaborate in short response section.

FLAGS

Flag films to help us organize programming later, and to include content warnings if necessary. Please flag a film if you notice any of the following.

Red: graphic violence

Purple: graphic sex or nudity

Blue: sensitive language or themes (discriminatory or offensive in nature)

Black: Queer Fear alumnus (screened at previous festival)