Rochester Queer Arts Festival Partners with ImageOut to Bring All-Day Film Screenings to Village Gate Square
The Rochester Queer Arts Festival (RQAF) is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with ImageOut: The Rochester LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Thanks to the generous support of Sustainable Wellness, this collaboration will bring an immersive all-day film experience right to the heart of Village Gate Square during RQAF on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
A Celebration of Queer Arts and Film
For the first time, festival-goers will be able to enjoy continuous LGBTQIA+ film screenings curated by ImageOut throughout the day, alongside RQAF’s packed schedule of live performances, visual art, workshops, food trucks, and nearly 150 local vendors. The dedicated screening room will offer a chance to step inside, sit down, and be transported by stories that inspire, challenge, and celebrate our diverse community.
“Storytelling through film is a powerful way to connect, heal, and uplift,” shared Michele Thornton of ImageOut. “Partnering with RQAF allows us to bring that power directly into the community in a more accessible, immersive way.”
Two Festivals, One Community
This partnership bridges two of Rochester’s cornerstone LGBTQIA+ festivals. ImageOut, now entering its 33rd year, runs October 9–19, 2025, presenting films, special events, and community-centered programming across multiple venues. Meanwhile, RQAF transforms Village Gate Square into a full-day, multidisciplinary celebration of queer arts, featuring music, drag, theatre, dance, visual arts, and more—all free and open to the public.
RQAF Co-Producer Tim Evanicki said, “This partnership marks a significant step forward in uniting Rochester’s queer arts and film communities, ensuring more voices are heard, more stories are seen, and festivals feel more integrated than ever.”
Powered by Community Support
The screening room initiative is made possible by Sustainable Wellness, a Rochester-based holistic, trauma-informed wellness practice. Their sponsorship ensures that the technical and logistical resources are in place to bring this vision to life.
Festival Details
📅 Rochester Queer Arts Festival
Saturday, October 11, 2025 • 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Village Gate Square • 274 N. Goodman Street, Rochester, NY 14607
Free and open to the public • www.queerartsfest.com
🎬 ImageOut LGBTQ+ Fall Film Festival
October 9–19, 2025
Full schedule at www.imageout.org
This October, experience the best of Rochester’s queer arts and culture—on stage, on screen, and in community. Whether you’re coming for the music, the art, the shopping, or the films, RQAF and ImageOut invite you to join us for a day of celebration, creativity, and connection.
