Since 2014, the annual Appalachian Queer Film Fest has brought attention and recognition to Queer filmmakers. Starting as an initiative to bring queer film and culture into the Appalachian region, the event has brought inspiration and recognition to queer art for over a decade.

The organizers of the event, which takes place in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, have faced challenges as the festival has evolved, such as COVID-19. However, the festival began to thrive after the pandemic. This event works to incorporate real change for rural queer folks. During a time of political unrest and anti-trans movements, the Appalachian Queer Film Fest organizers say the event fosters community and encourages showing up for one another through the artistic lens. 

Co-founders and co-directors of the festival, Jon Matthews and J Gallienne were excited to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the event in 2024. They started taking submissions for the festival in 2023, and offering awards for the films. This has resulted in record-breaking attendance for the event over the last two years.

Gallienne started out as a devoted fan to the festival, and now they run the social media platforms, organize fundraising, and oversee the daily operations. “J Gallienne is the heart and soul of the festival,” Matthews said. 

This year, the festival will feature the film “HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY,” whose director will be at the festival for a question and answer session. “” HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY” follows Chase Strangio, an ACLU attorney and the first out trans person to argue before the Supreme Court,” said J Gallienne. “The film exposes the dangerous role of mainstream media in fueling anti-trans legislation, uncovering how biased coverage drives hate, endangers lives, and threatens democracy itself.” 

Not only does this festival shine a light on queer culture and creators, it also calls attention to the impact of the current political climate and mass media on queer communities, specifically in rural areas. 

“HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY” displays the decisive legal battle, (United States v. Skrmetti), where Chase Strangio worked to overturn the ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth in Tennessee. 

“With the dangerous SCOTUS decision upholding the ban on life-saving healthcare, HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY is an urgent call to action against bigotry and injustice,” J Gallienne said. 

This is only one of the films that will be shown at the festival. Many filmmakers, including students, will be able to put their creations on display. The festival gives the opportunity for LGBTQ+ small artists to be seen and appreciated by others, and to share queer culture in an area it has long been erased from. 

In previous years, the festival has highlighted many queer media artists. A screening of the queer film “Tangerine” from 2015 featured two trans women of color. The film, directed by Sean Baker, has won several awards, and been nominated for even more. 

In 2023, the festival screened “Kokomo City”, which is a documentary by D. Smith, a trans woman who was pushed out of the music industry during her transition. After experiencing hardships like homelessness, Smith was inspired to create “Kokomo City.” After the film’s debut, she was signed by the Creative Arts Industry. 

Photo of J Gallienne provided by Appalachian Queer Film Festival.

The directors of the festival said they have seen the positive results from building the foundations of the organization, to now, where it is thriving. The festival celebrates the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ people who deserve recognition, but may not always get it in these rural areas. They said “We know that there is a rich community of queer and trans folks in Appalachia and we think that’s important to celebrate!”

The mission of the event is to “promote Queer and Trans film and filmmakers across the world, to offer Queer and Trans content to the underserved.” With a vision of harnessing the power of film to tell LGBTQ+ stories and create a deeper understanding of queer culture and community, the festival offers something special to the rural region. With over ten years of change inspired by their work, the festival continues to harness community through art. 

For Gallienne and Matthews, it is especially important to have “young Trans and Queer folks from Appalachia see themselves represented on screen, especially in a time when young trans folks in Appalachia are being attacked at the state level relentlessly.”  In such a time of uncertainty, representation has the ability to make a difference in the queer community. The Appalachian Queer Film Festival creates a safe space for queer people who may not find it easily in rural areas. 

The festival will take place from October 3rd-4th at the Frank Arts Center. Their website and instagram page contain more information about films, tickets, and times.