Out on Film

What Out on Film does

Out on Film is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, operating Atlanta's LGBTQ film festival continuously for over 35 years (founded 1989). The organization's core product is the annual film festival, typically held September-October, which curates films by, for, and about the LGBTQ community and its allies. Year-round programming supplements the festival and includes the quarterly Queer Film Alliance networking series, the Spring Mini-Fest, free outdoor Midtown Movie Nights in partnership with Midtown Alliance, the Landmark Pride Series with Landmark Theatres, the Black Power Showcase during Black History Month, and special fundraisers (Beer Bust, Bingo After Dark, ATL Film Art Sale). Out on Film also administers the Filmmaker Fund grant program and the Reel Resistance Fellows artist development program, providing cash awards, travel support, and grants to emerging LGBTQ filmmakers.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of individual ticket and festival-pass sales, tax-deductible donations, tiered corporate sponsorships (platinum, gold, and other levels), and special-event fundraisers, with proceeds partially recycled into filmmaker grants. Distribution is executed through a network of 15+ Atlanta-area venue partners including Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, Tara Theatre, Plaza Theatre, AMC Phipps Plaza, Springs Cinema, 10th Street Park, and co-presented spaces at Out Front Theatre Company and Agnes Scott College. Pricing spans free community screenings, paid individual tickets, multi-tier festival passes, and admission plus add-on fundraiser components. The organization holds BAFTA qualifying festival status (awarded 2025), enabling acceptance of British short films eligible for British Academy of Film and Television Arts consideration.

Out on Film operates with 11-50 employees and is led by Executive Director Cindy Abel. Strategic partnerships span major film studios (A24, Amazon MGM Studios, Focus Features), advocacy organizations (Lambda Legal, Georgia Equality, Atlanta Pride), cultural groups (Southern Fried Queer Pride, Out Front Theatre Company), the British Consulate, and community health partners (AHF/BLACC, IMPULSE Group Atlanta). The primary customer segments are LGBTQ community members and allies attending programming, LGBTQ filmmakers seeking exhibition and financial support, and corporate sponsors seeking access to LGBTQ audiences. Service geography is the Southeastern United States with primary concentration in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Name

Out on Film

Legal name

Out on Film, Inc.

Website

https://outonfilm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Out on Film is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating Atlanta's LGBTQ film festival for over 35 years, delivering year-round screenings, filmmaker grants, and community programming for queer audiences, filmmakers, and allies across the Southeastern United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Festival / Arts & Culture Events

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Programming, Booking & Repertory Exhibition Services (MPADAKAL)

Keywords

• LGBTQ film festival
• Queer cinema screenings
• Cultural community programming
• Filmmaker support services
• Arts and culture events

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from individual event tickets, festival passes, and advance screenings of films.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission to inform, entertain, educate, and enrich LGBTQ culture.
3. Sponsorships: Support from corporate sponsors including platinum, gold, and other tier levels; includes in-kind venue partnerships and promotional support.
4. Special Events Revenue: Revenue from fundraiser events like Beer Bust events, Bingo After Dark, and ATL Film Art Sale, with proceeds supporting filmmaker funds.
5. Filmmaker Fund: Cash awards, filmmaker travel support, and filmmaking grants to LGBTQ storytellers, funded through donations and ticket sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Out on Film is a nonprofit LGBTQ film festival organization that produces an annual multi-day film festival featuring screenings of LGBTQ-themed films, alongside filmmaker support services, year-round cultural programming, and educational initiatives. It serves filmmakers seeking exposure and audiences seeking LGBTQ cinema, with operations centered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Product overview

Out on Film is Atlanta's LGBTQ Film Festival organization operating for over 35 years as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The organization operates as a single unified program centered on its annual film festival, supplemented by year-round programming including the Queer Film Alliance networking series, the Filmmaker Fund grant program, and Reel Resistance Fellows artist development. Secondary offerings include collaborative screening series such as the Landmark Pride Series, Spring Mini-Fest, Midtown Movie Nights, and Black Power Showcase, all designed to fulfill the mission of showcasing LGBTQ films and supporting queer storytellers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annual Out on Film Festival

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• British ConsulatestrategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 August 2024Partnership to present Celebrating Queer British Cinema showcase featuring BAFTA-recognized British short films. Associated with Out on Film's new BAFTA qualifying festival status.
• Southern Fried Queer PridecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presenters of CineQueer Film Nights, integrating Out on Film screenings into the Southern Fried Queer Pride festival programming. Partnership brings LGBTQ cinema to broader queer community events.
• Midtown AlliancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presenters of Midtown Movie Nights outdoor screening series at 10th Street Park. Partnership provides venue, sponsorship support, and broad community reach for free outdoor film events.
• Landmark TheatrescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of Landmark Pride Series at Midtown Art Cinema. Partnership enables post-screening talkbacks and prestige screenings during Pride month.
• Out Front Theatre CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue host and co-presenter for many events at 999 Brady Ave NW headquarters. Long-term partner in LGBTQ arts community, sharing space and programming resources.
• Atlanta PridecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presenter of community events including Heightened Scrutiny screening and REEL RESISTANCE programming. Partnership connects LGBTQ film programming with Pride celebrations.
• Lambda LegalstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presenter of Heightened Scrutiny screening with panel discussion on transgender rights and healthcare access. Partnership brings legal advocacy perspective to film programming.
• Georgia EqualitystrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presenter of community programming including Heightened Scrutiny panel discussion. Partnership connects film events with LGBTQ political advocacy efforts.
• AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) / BLACCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor providing free drinks and popcorn for community screening events. Partnership supports LGBTQ health advocacy alongside film programming.
• IMPULSE Group AtlantaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for LGBTQ health and social programming, co-sponsoring community screening events.
• Focus FeaturesstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerStudio partnership for Drive-Away Dolls promotional events and screenings, including collaboration with the Lesbian Bar Project.
• LezBe Literary / My Sister's RoomminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLesbian bar partnership for community events and screenings, venue host for promotional events.
• A24strategicGTM or Marketing PartnerStudio partnership for advanced screening of Queer (Luca Guadagnino film) at AMC Phipps Plaza.
• Amazon MGM StudiosstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerStudio partnership for advanced screening of ÉTOILE series at Springs Cinema, with complimentary wine and promotional support.
• Southern Unity MovementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for Rustin screening collaboration, connecting LGBTQ film with civil rights advocacy.
• Red's Beer GardenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for Local Filmmaker Showcase events, long-time sponsor of Out on Film Festival and supporter of LGBTQ community.
• Free Mom Hugs AtlantaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting International LGBTQ Allyship Day screening of This Time, promoting allyship and family acceptance.
• Plaza TheatreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for CineQueer events and Southern Fried Queer Pride programming.
• Tara TheatreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for select screenings including specialty films and advanced screenings.
• Emory UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for Queer Film Alliance meetings at Rich Building on campus.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NewFest: New York City's LGBTQ film festival producing an annual festival plus year-round screening and community programs. Direct peer in LGBTQ film festival operations, filmmaker grants, and New York-based LGBTQ cinema exhibition.
• Outfest: Los Angeles-based LGBTQ film festival organization operating the Outfest LA festival, Outfest Fusion, and filmmaker programs including the Outfest Screenwriting Lab. Direct peer as a major LGBTQ film festival with year-round artist development initiatives.
• Frameline: San Francisco-based LGBTQ film festival and exhibition organization, one of the oldest and largest in the world. Direct peer as a nonprofit LGBTQ film festival offering year-round programming, filmmaker support, and screening partnerships.
• Inside Out: Toronto-based LGBTQ film festival operating since 1990 with year-round screening programs and filmmaker support. Direct peer as an LGBTQ film festival offering festival screenings, artist programs, and community-focused exhibition in a major city.
• Iris Prize: Cardiff-based international LGBTQ short film festival. Direct peer and particularly relevant given Iris Prize's established BAFTA connection and short-film focus, aligning with Out on Film's new BAFTA-qualifying status.
• Reeling Film Festival: Chicago's LGBTQ+ film festival, the second-oldest LGBTQ film festival in the U.S. Direct peer as a regional LGBTQ film festival with annual screenings, filmmaker programs, and community partnerships in a major Midwestern city.
• Image+Nation: Montreal-based LGBTQ film festival operating since 1987, one of the longest-running LGBTQ film festivals globally. Direct peer as a nonprofit LGBTQ film festival with annual programming and a strong filmmaker submission tradition.
• QFest (Philadelphia): Philadelphia's LGBTQ film festival operated by Cinema Center. Direct peer as a regional LGBTQ film festival operating annual screenings and filmmaker-focused programming in a major U.S. city.

Regional players

• Landmark Theatres: U.S. art-house cinema chain that partners with Out on Film for the Landmark Pride Series at Midtown Art Cinema. Comparable as a regional physical film exhibition partner operating programming venues and screening series, though serving a broader art-house audience rather than exclusively LGBTQ content.
• Atlanta Film Festival: Atlanta's general-audience film festival operated by the Atlanta Film Society. Comparable as a regional nonprofit film festival in the same metro area, sharing venue partners and overlapping audience segments, though not specifically LGBTQ-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OutonFilm
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@outonfilm
• Facebookfacebook.com/OutOnFilmATL
• Instagraminstagram.com/outonfilm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Out on Film