Photo credit: JACK’D FILM FESTIVAL
Jack’d is launching its inaugural film festival to spotlight Black and Brown queer storytellers, with $20,000 in prizes up for grabs. The Jack’d Film Festival will bring original films to the dating app from November 2 through December 3, 2026, giving audiences a chance to discover new work and vote for their favorites.
The festival will feature a panel of judges with experience across film, television and queer entertainment. Among them are TS Madison, Miss Lawrence, Bobby Ashley, Mike Gauyo and Dyllón Burnside.
Through the initiative, Jack’d aims to give queer filmmakers a platform to share stories that reflect their experiences and perspectives. Although the festival particularly highlights films centered on queer people of color, filmmakers of all backgrounds are eligible to enter.
TS Madison and other stars join the judging panel
The inaugural Jack’d Film Festival brings together several recognizable voices from queer entertainment to help select its Grand Jury Award winner.
The judging panel includes TS Madison, known for her podcast and role in Beauty in Black. Miss Lawrence, who has appeared in Fashion Queens and Empire, will also serve as a judge.
Additionally, Bobby Ashley, known for The Ave and Single Man Problems, will join the panel. Mike Gauyo, whose credits include Ginny & Georgia and Send Help, is also among the judges.
Rounding out the group is Dyllón Burnside, known for his role in Pose.
Together, the judges will bring different creative and professional perspectives to the competition. Their task will be to help select the film that receives the festival’s $10,000 Grand Jury Award.
Jack’d Film Festival offers $20,000 in prizes
The festival will distribute $20,000 across two awards. The Grand Jury Award winner will receive $10,000, while the Audience Choice Award winner will also receive $10,000.
Unlike the jury-selected prize, the Audience Choice Award will depend on votes from Jack’d members. Users can vote directly through the app for up to three films.
As a result, the festival gives audiences an active role in recognizing the filmmakers and stories they connect with most.
Selected films will stream exclusively through the Jack’d app during the festival period. Viewers can also play films through Apple TV or Chromecast, according to the announcement.
The festival is free to join and participate in. However, viewers must download the app and create a profile to watch the films and cast their votes.
Filmmakers have until October 21 to submit
Film submissions opened September 30, and the deadline is Wednesday, October 21, at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
The competition welcomes filmmakers regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation. However, submissions should center the experiences, stories or perspectives of queer people of color.
Both short films and full-length features are eligible for prizes. Interested filmmakers can review the submission instructions and official rules through the Jack’d Film Festival website.
The organization plans to announce the official film lineup, filmmaker conversations and additional programming in the coming weeks.
Winners will be announced Friday, December 4, following the conclusion of the festival.
Jack’d creates a platform for queer storytelling
Jack’d describes itself as a social networking and dating platform serving the global GBTQ+ community. The company says its mission includes supporting inclusivity, community and opportunities that elevate queer voices.
The new festival expands that focus into filmmaking. By bringing screenings, audience voting and industry recognition into one platform, Jack’d is creating another avenue for queer creators to connect with viewers.
Tyrus Townsend, the festival manager, said the initiative will help emerging filmmakers share their stories directly with audiences while allowing viewers to celebrate the people behind the work.
For filmmakers interested in participating, the October 21 deadline is the next important date. Meanwhile, audiences can look forward to discovering the selected films when streaming begins November 2.
With its $20,000 prize pool and high-profile judging panel, the inaugural Jack’d Film Festival aims to put queer storytelling and the perspectives of people of color at the center of the conversation.
About the Author
