BENT Sacramento LGBTQ+ Film Festival

Founded in 1993, BENT Sacramento LGBTQ+ Film Festival (formerly the Sacramento International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival) had a rich, queer history and ran for 30 years as the longest-running film festival in Sacramento and the only LGBTQ+ one. BENT highlighted and supported LGBTQ+ artists and their films, showcasing stories that sometimes do not get told. The goal of BENT has always been to change the world through the power of queer cinema. Create safe and inclusive spaces for self-expression, inspire an authentic sense of activism in the continued fight for equality, and celebrate the unique heritage and diverse cultures of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Following the close of BENT, our organization decided to put our remaining resources together to create a lasting fund that would continue BENT’s mission of supporting LGBTQ+ filmmakers and artists from the greater Sacramento region.

Eligibility

• Self-identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community
• Reside in Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Sutter, Yolo, or Yuba County
• Be working on a specific film or arts project which they intend to make visible to the community
  – It doesn’t need to be visible for free, in the event the work is shown at an event requiring an admission fee
• Projects should showcase some aspect of the LGBTQ+ experience or bringing attention to queer stories or history
• Preference will be given to students and creators early in their careers

Timeline
Application Open: May 26
Deadline: June 30
Review of the application: July 1 to July 11