Atlanta’s Out On Film Announces ‘The World We’re Making’ Theme and First Titles

[Atlanta, GA, July 10, 2026] — Atlanta’s award-winning, Oscar®-qualifying and USA TODAY “10 Best” film festival, Out On Film (#OOF26), today invites the community to be part of “The World We’re Making,” this year’s theme, as the nonprofit kicks off its 39th year of bringing the most anticipated LGBTQ+ films and documentaries to local, national and international audiences — in person and via the festival’s virtual platform.

Join more than 17,000 film lovers, filmmakers, and changemakers this September 24-October 4 as we celebrate stories that entertain, challenge, and inspire. Every ticket helps create the conditions where LGBTQ+ stories can be seen, celebrated, and shared — and helps build The World We’re Making.

The World We’re Making celebrates the idea that queer cinema doesn’t simply reflect the world — it helps shape it. Every screening, every filmmaker, every volunteer, every audience member, every sponsor, and every conversation contributes to building a more connected, visible, and inclusive future.

This year’s campaign celebrates the world LGBTQ+ filmmakers and audiences create together through art, creativity, and shared experience. Rather than promising a finished destination, it embraces the ongoing work of creating spaces where authentic LGBTQ+ stories can be seen, celebrated, and discovered. Through film, conversation, and community, Out On Film invites everyone to help build The World We’re Making.

“After a record-breaking 2025, we are excited to bring Atlanta and the region one of our most exciting and biggest line-ups,” said Out On Film Festival Director Jim Farmer. “‘Test’ and ‘Dreamers’ are both stories that will resonate deeply with our audience.”

“The World We’re Making reflects what Out On Film has always been about—bringing people together through extraordinary LGBTQ+ stories,” said Out On Film Board Chair Joshua D. Lorenz. “Every filmmaker, audience member, volunteer, and community partner helps shape this festival, and we’re excited to welcome everyone back for another unforgettable year.”

The first two Centerpiece Selection films set for the 11-day festival are “Test” and “Dreamers.” Spanning stories of identity, resilience, and self-discovery, these acclaimed new features offer an exciting first look at the unforgettable LGBTQ+ cinema Out On Film is bringing to Atlanta this fall.

TEST
Director: Sam McConnell
Country: United States
Running Time: 113 min.

Synopsis
An amateur bodybuilder in rural Ohio [Brock Yurich (“Stop! That! Train!,” “The Boxer and the Butterfly”), who wrote the film] grapples with a dysfunctional family — including his demanding mother played by Emmy Award winner Tammy Blanchard (“Into the Woods,” “The Invitation”) — substance abuse, and his own emerging sexuality on his quest to become a champion. “Glee’s” Matthew Morrison co-stars as a pastor in Sam McConnell’s (“Older, Hotter, Wiser,” “Camp RicStar”) riveting new drama.

• Artwork: Press Assets (Dropbox)

• Trailer: YouTube

“I always love coming to Atlanta, and I’m beyond thrilled that my debut narrative feature, TEST, has been selected for the 39th Out on Film Festival,” said director Sam McConnell. “This festival means so much to Atlanta’s LGBTQ community and audiences beyond, celebrating diverse voices and the power of storytelling. It’s an honor to be part of it.”

DREAMERS
Writer/Director: Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor
Country: United Kingdom
Running Time: 78 min.

Synopsis
Isio, who fled homophobia in Nigeria, is detained and placed in an asylum removal center after living in the UK undocumented for two years. Inside, she meets Farah, a pragmatic and charismatic roommate who understands the system’s cruelty all too well. As the two fall for one another  and appeals are repeatedly rejected, the pair must decide whether survival means obedience or rewriting the rules. Inspired by writer-director Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor’s (“Blue Story”) own experience, “Dreamers” features an astonishing lead performance by Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́ (“007 First Light,” “National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest”) and Ann Akinjirin (“I May Destroy You”).

• Artwork: Press Assets (Dropbox)

• Trailer: YouTube

“I’m so happy that ‘Dreamers’ will be screening at this year’s festival; it’s such an honour,” said director Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor. “‘Dreamers’ is a love story that speaks to where we are today in the world. I really hope that audiences connect with the film”

For nearly four decades, Out On Film has championed bold, diverse, and impactful queer storytelling, while connecting filmmakers and audiences through cinema, conversation, and community. The festival has grown into a globally recognized platform for LGBTQ+ film, serving as both a cultural institution and a launchpad for emerging and established filmmakers alike.

Out On Film is proud to be recognized as an Oscar®-Qualifying Festival for Best Live Action Short. Earlier this year, “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” directed by Natalie Musteata & Alexandre Singh {France/USA}), which was qualified in 2025 by Out On Film, won the Oscar® for Best Live Action Short. The organization has also been one of USA Today’s 10Best Film Festivals for four consecutive years, a MovieMaker Magazine “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” selection, and an Iris Prize Partner Festival. These honors reflect the remarkable filmmakers who trust Out on Film with their work and the incredible community that returns year after year to celebrate queer cinema together.

The 2025 festival welcomed more than 17,000 attendees across in-person and virtual programming, featured 155 films, hosted 43 filmmaker conversations and special events, and reached audiences across 254 cities in 13 countries through its virtual platform.

The 2026 festival’s full schedule of films, shorts and documentaries will be announced on August 19.

Festival passes are on sale now at festival.outonfilm.org. Screenings will take place at the historic Landmark Midtown Arts Cinema. The virtual encore online runs through October 11.

About Out On Film

Out On Film is Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ film festival and one of the longest-running LGBTQ+ film festivals in the United States. Founded in 1987, the festival showcases outstanding feature films, documentaries, and short films from around the world while celebrating the diversity of LGBTQ+ experiences. In addition to its annual festival, Out On Film presents year-round screenings, filmmaker programs, educational initiatives, and community partnerships that use the power of cinema to entertain, inspire, and create meaningful dialogue. Out On Film is recognized as an Academy Award®-qualifying festival for Best Live Action Film, an Iris Prize Partner Festival, one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee,” and a USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Best Film Festival for four consecutive years. For more information, visit https://outonfilm.org.