At Out On Screen, we believe in and work toward an equitable society where gender and sexual diversity thrive. We are a non-profit organization that celebrates and uplifts the stories of 2SLGBTQIA+ people and communities. Through our two main programs, Out In Schools and the Vancouver Queer Film Festival, Out On Screen works to address the problem of misrepresentation of Queer, Trans and Non-binary identities in mainstream media, as well as the social, systemic, and structural challenges and barriers faced by our communities. We mostly operate on the unceded and shared territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ nations, known as Vancouver. 

Out In Schools 

Out In Schools is a program that brings queer, trans, and two-spirit films, educators, and filmmakers into schools across British Columbia. The program has run for more than 15 years and aims to increase the visibility and understanding of queer identities among young people and to create safer and more inclusive school environments. In 2023, we project reaching over 10,000 youth! 

“Just seconds after the derogatory remark left my classmate’s lips, another classmate spoke up, asking ‘Didn’t you learn anything yesterday? You probably shouldn’t talk like that….”  

Grade 10 student, one day after an Out In Schools classroom presentation

 Vancouver Queer Film Festival 

Through more than 50 film screenings, as well as artist Q&A’s, workshops, panels, and community-building events, we showcase the work of local, Canadian, and international artists, with a particular focus on queer and trans Black, Indigenous, people of colour, women, and non-binary people. Our programming elevates authentic representations of diverse experiences and identities, which are often overlooked by mainstream outlets. 

The Vancouver Queer Film Festival aims to welcome over 10,000 people each year and for them feel included, seen, and understood — together. In 2022, we programmed our first hybrid festival, which ran for 11 days, featured 97 films from 20 different countries, and included 21 in-person screenings and panels. We showed films in 17 different languages including Tagalog, Anishinaabemowin, Cantonese, Arabic, Yoruba, Portuguese, Spanish, and more, and were also able to provide ASL interpretation for 8 of our screenings. In 2023, we expect to host over 40 in-person screenings.   

“Thank you for continuing this festival even amidst covid. It immensely helped my mental health and I didn't feel isolated when I watched the films”.  

“Thank you for finding ways to allow the film festival to continue during the pandemic. It was a huge lifeline to me and others when at times I was losing all hope and happiness.”