OUTshine Film Festival Fort Lauderdale 2025
- 16 Oct 2025 - 26 Oct 2025
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
The OUTshine Film Festival Fort Lauderdale 2025 (Fall Edition) returns to South Florida with a vibrant celebration of queer cinema, community, and culture. Organized by the MiFo lgbtq+Q+ Foundation, the festival is the successor to the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (founded in 1998) and the Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (launched in 2008). These two historic events merged under the OUTshine brand, reflecting the region’s diverse, multicultural audiences and international recognition. Over more than two decades, OUTshine has evolved into a premier lgbtq+Q+ cultural arts event that does more than screen films; it creates an immersive experience designed to inspire, entertain and educate audiences. The festival’s mission is to foster community and celebrate lgbtq+Q+ stories through films and media that explore historical and contemporary perspectives, offering a platform for both established and emerging artists.
In 2025 the festival expands across 18 days. The spring edition takes place in Miami from April 17–27, followed by OUTshine At Home from April 28 – May 4. For this article, however, our focus is the Fall Edition in Fort Lauderdale. According to the official festival site, the fall schedule runs October 16 – 26, 2025, with a virtual At‑Home edition from October 27 – November 2. OUTshine uses multiple venues in Fort Lauderdale—including the historic Savor Cinema and Gateway Cinema—to host film screenings, red‑carpet premieres and special events. Attendees can expect a curated selection of international lgbtq+Q+ films, documentaries, shorts and narratives along with live performances, filmmaker Q&A sessions and industry panels. The festival kicks off with an opening night gala that blends film with a cocktail reception and live entertainment, and concludes with a closing night screening and party. Between these anchor events are daily screenings and themed evenings such as women’s spotlight films, LatinX voices, Black lgbtq+Q+ storytelling and youth‑oriented cinema.
The festival’s history is deeply tied to community activism. The Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival was founded in 1998 to provide queer storytellers with a platform at a time when mainstream festivals rarely screened lgbtq+Q‑themed movies. Ten years later, the Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival launched to extend this mission to Broward County. By 2017 the two festivals merged, forming OUTshine. The combined festival fosters cross‑regional collaboration and draws visitors from across Florida and beyond. Through year‑round programming—monthly screenings under the Cocktails & Cinema™ banner, exclusive sneak‑peek events and its OUTshine At‑Home virtual platform—OUTshine provides continuous access to queer cinema and cultivates a loyal membership base. Membership benefits include discounted tickets, early access to film lineups, reserved seating and invitations to private mixers.
For the 2025 Fort Lauderdale edition, attendees can look forward to an eclectic lineup reflecting the diversity of the lgbtq+Q+ community. Past editions have showcased award‑winning films from Cannes, Sundance, Berlin and Toronto, as well as U.S. and world premieres. The 2025 program is expected to continue this trend, offering romantic comedies, dramas, documentaries, experimental works, trans and non‑binary narratives, and intersectional stories exploring race, class and disability. Each screening is followed by a moderated discussion or Q&A session where directors, actors and producers engage with audiences on themes such as representation, censorship, funding independent film and the impact of queer cinema on social change. Industry panels provide networking opportunities for emerging filmmakers and highlight challenges and successes in producing lgbtq+Q+ films.
Beyond the screenings, OUTshine’s party scene is legendary. The festival hosts nightly after‑parties at bars and clubs along Wilton Drive and Downtown Fort Lauderdale, including themed events like Retro Rewind 80s dance night, Drag Extravaganza featuring South Florida’s drag royalty, and a Queer Chorus showcase with local singers and dancers. The closing weekend features the Centerpiece Party at the iconic Stonewall Museum & Archives, where attendees can tour exhibits celebrating lgbtq+Q+ history while mingling with filmmakers and festival guests. For those seeking daytime activities, the festival organizes brunches, pool parties and art walks, often in collaboration with local businesses and non‑profit organisations. These social events not only entertain but also fundraise for the MiFo Foundation’s educational initiatives.
While the festival's heart lies in Fort Lauderdale, it maintains strong ties to Miami, which hosts the spring edition. Many out-of-town attendees choose to attend both editions, experiencing the differences between Miami’s South Beach glitz and Fort Lauderdale’s more relaxed beach city vibe. The festival encourages sustainable travel; visitors are advised to use the Brightline train between Miami and Fort Lauderdale or to rely on rideshare, buses and bicycles instead of private cars. Parking near venues is limited, and the festival provides guidelines for accessible transport. For visitors requiring accommodations, the festival’s partner hotels—often steps from Savor Cinema—offer discounted rates for pass holders. The At‑Home edition ensures that those unable to travel can still participate by streaming a selection of festival films online between October 27 and November 2.
OUTshine also emphasises community outreach and philanthropy. As a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organisation, the festival reinvests proceeds into educational programs, scholarships for lgbtq+Q+ filmmakers, and outreach to schools and youth groups. Workshops during the festival week introduce queer youth to filmmaking basics, scriptwriting and storytelling; there are also special screenings for seniors and families. Throughout the year, the festival partners with local organisations to host events addressing issues such as mental health, HIV/AIDS awareness and voter registration. Volunteers are integral to the festival’s success, assisting with ushering, line management, ballots, operations, hospitality and talent coordination.
Attending the 2025 Fall Edition requires advanced planning. Tickets typically go on sale several months before the festival through OUTshine’s website or Eventive platform; festival passes grant access to all screenings, opening and closing night galas, and select parties. Early-bird pricing and student discounts are available, and the festival encourages patrons to join its membership program for additional savings and exclusive perks. For those unable to commit to the full festival, single-screening tickets and day passes offer flexibility. Many screenings sell out quickly, especially high-profile premieres and weekend showings, so booking early is recommended.
In summary, OUTshine Film Festival Fort Lauderdale 2025 promises ten days of boundary-breaking queer cinema, immersive cultural events and community-building activities. Born from the merger of two historic gay film festivals, OUTshine celebrates bold storytelling and fosters a sense of belonging for lgbtq+Q+ viewers and allies alike. The 2025 Fall Edition runs from October 16 to 26 in Fort Lauderdale with a virtual encore from October 27 to November 2, offering film lovers worldwide the chance to experience its magic. Whether you’re drawn by world premieres, filmmaker discussions, glamorous parties or simply the opportunity to connect with like-minded people, OUTshine remains a must‑attend event on the lgbtq+Q+ cultural calendar.
This piece emphasises the festival’s mission to showcase diverse voices, support emerging talent and build community, ensuring that OUTshine continues to OUTlive, OUTlast and OUTshine for years to come.
In 2025 the festival expands across 18 days. The spring edition takes place in Miami from April 17–27, followed by OUTshine At Home from April 28 – May 4. For this article, however, our focus is the Fall Edition in Fort Lauderdale. According to the official festival site, the fall schedule runs October 16 – 26, 2025, with a virtual At‑Home edition from October 27 – November 2. OUTshine uses multiple venues in Fort Lauderdale—including the historic Savor Cinema and Gateway Cinema—to host film screenings, red‑carpet premieres and special events. Attendees can expect a curated selection of international lgbtq+Q+ films, documentaries, shorts and narratives along with live performances, filmmaker Q&A sessions and industry panels. The festival kicks off with an opening night gala that blends film with a cocktail reception and live entertainment, and concludes with a closing night screening and party. Between these anchor events are daily screenings and themed evenings such as women’s spotlight films, LatinX voices, Black lgbtq+Q+ storytelling and youth‑oriented cinema.
The festival’s history is deeply tied to community activism. The Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival was founded in 1998 to provide queer storytellers with a platform at a time when mainstream festivals rarely screened lgbtq+Q‑themed movies. Ten years later, the Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival launched to extend this mission to Broward County. By 2017 the two festivals merged, forming OUTshine. The combined festival fosters cross‑regional collaboration and draws visitors from across Florida and beyond. Through year‑round programming—monthly screenings under the Cocktails & Cinema™ banner, exclusive sneak‑peek events and its OUTshine At‑Home virtual platform—OUTshine provides continuous access to queer cinema and cultivates a loyal membership base. Membership benefits include discounted tickets, early access to film lineups, reserved seating and invitations to private mixers.
For the 2025 Fort Lauderdale edition, attendees can look forward to an eclectic lineup reflecting the diversity of the lgbtq+Q+ community. Past editions have showcased award‑winning films from Cannes, Sundance, Berlin and Toronto, as well as U.S. and world premieres. The 2025 program is expected to continue this trend, offering romantic comedies, dramas, documentaries, experimental works, trans and non‑binary narratives, and intersectional stories exploring race, class and disability. Each screening is followed by a moderated discussion or Q&A session where directors, actors and producers engage with audiences on themes such as representation, censorship, funding independent film and the impact of queer cinema on social change. Industry panels provide networking opportunities for emerging filmmakers and highlight challenges and successes in producing lgbtq+Q+ films.
Beyond the screenings, OUTshine’s party scene is legendary. The festival hosts nightly after‑parties at bars and clubs along Wilton Drive and Downtown Fort Lauderdale, including themed events like Retro Rewind 80s dance night, Drag Extravaganza featuring South Florida’s drag royalty, and a Queer Chorus showcase with local singers and dancers. The closing weekend features the Centerpiece Party at the iconic Stonewall Museum & Archives, where attendees can tour exhibits celebrating lgbtq+Q+ history while mingling with filmmakers and festival guests. For those seeking daytime activities, the festival organizes brunches, pool parties and art walks, often in collaboration with local businesses and non‑profit organisations. These social events not only entertain but also fundraise for the MiFo Foundation’s educational initiatives.
While the festival's heart lies in Fort Lauderdale, it maintains strong ties to Miami, which hosts the spring edition. Many out-of-town attendees choose to attend both editions, experiencing the differences between Miami’s South Beach glitz and Fort Lauderdale’s more relaxed beach city vibe. The festival encourages sustainable travel; visitors are advised to use the Brightline train between Miami and Fort Lauderdale or to rely on rideshare, buses and bicycles instead of private cars. Parking near venues is limited, and the festival provides guidelines for accessible transport. For visitors requiring accommodations, the festival’s partner hotels—often steps from Savor Cinema—offer discounted rates for pass holders. The At‑Home edition ensures that those unable to travel can still participate by streaming a selection of festival films online between October 27 and November 2.
OUTshine also emphasises community outreach and philanthropy. As a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organisation, the festival reinvests proceeds into educational programs, scholarships for lgbtq+Q+ filmmakers, and outreach to schools and youth groups. Workshops during the festival week introduce queer youth to filmmaking basics, scriptwriting and storytelling; there are also special screenings for seniors and families. Throughout the year, the festival partners with local organisations to host events addressing issues such as mental health, HIV/AIDS awareness and voter registration. Volunteers are integral to the festival’s success, assisting with ushering, line management, ballots, operations, hospitality and talent coordination.
Attending the 2025 Fall Edition requires advanced planning. Tickets typically go on sale several months before the festival through OUTshine’s website or Eventive platform; festival passes grant access to all screenings, opening and closing night galas, and select parties. Early-bird pricing and student discounts are available, and the festival encourages patrons to join its membership program for additional savings and exclusive perks. For those unable to commit to the full festival, single-screening tickets and day passes offer flexibility. Many screenings sell out quickly, especially high-profile premieres and weekend showings, so booking early is recommended.
In summary, OUTshine Film Festival Fort Lauderdale 2025 promises ten days of boundary-breaking queer cinema, immersive cultural events and community-building activities. Born from the merger of two historic gay film festivals, OUTshine celebrates bold storytelling and fosters a sense of belonging for lgbtq+Q+ viewers and allies alike. The 2025 Fall Edition runs from October 16 to 26 in Fort Lauderdale with a virtual encore from October 27 to November 2, offering film lovers worldwide the chance to experience its magic. Whether you’re drawn by world premieres, filmmaker discussions, glamorous parties or simply the opportunity to connect with like-minded people, OUTshine remains a must‑attend event on the lgbtq+Q+ cultural calendar.
This piece emphasises the festival’s mission to showcase diverse voices, support emerging talent and build community, ensuring that OUTshine continues to OUTlive, OUTlast and OUTshine for years to come.