QDOC is the only festival in the United States - and only the second in the world devoted exclusively to Queer Documentaries.QDoc is brought to you by Russ Gage, and David Weissman. Russ served for 10 years as the Operations Director of the San Francisco International Lesbianand Gay Film Festival, the oldest and largest LGBT Film Festival in theworld. David has been a film maker (and film festival participant) for over 20 years, and is best known for his award winning feature documentary, THE COCKETTES (2002).Over the past two decades, LGBT Film Festivals have become ubiquitous in urban centers and on college campuses, and much has changed in queer media during that time. There is more mainstream LGBT themed material being produced – some of which is not made available to queer festivals – and much of the indie-produced queer material is more commercially driven.

Documentaries continue to creatively and energetically engage with the core issues of queer identity – politics, history, culture, family, aging and coming out issues, queer diversity, sexuality. The documentary as a form of expression is as vital and energetic as it has ever been.

QDoc is more than a screening series. It is a fun, inspiring, and community-building event. Filmmakers from around the world attend the festival to discuss their work. The Clinton Street neighborhood, with its numerous cafes and restaurants, becomes a mini queer district, enhancing the social aspects of the festival. And screenings are presented in conjunction with community groups that have particular interest in the subject matter of specific films.

This year’s QDoc will once again be presented in cooperation with Portland Q-Center, whose mission is to increase the visibility of, and foster connection within, metropolitan Portland’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Questioning (LGBTQ) community.