A mere 500 people came to the first festival in 2004 but great oaks may grow from small acorns and we decided to persevere. 

Two years later, over 2600 people came to the festival – and by default Outsiders became the most successful film festival ever staged in Liverpool. 

So far we’ve brought eight UK premieres to Liverpool (with more to come in 2007), previewed new releases and revived some queer classics. 

Our guests have included Simon Callow, Rose Troche, David Paisley, Christopher Hobbs and the legendary Rosa von Praunheim. 

Our patrons are Chris Bernard (director of Letter to Brezhnev), the singer Thomas Lang and the actor Sir Derek Jacobi KBE. 

Thanks to our partnerships we’ve helped to distribute condoms and anti-hate crime information at many of our events. We’ve also engaged in the debate about making Liverpool a more gay-friendly city. 

Meanwhile, the feedback on the festival has been fantastic. Here’s some of the things our audience members have had to say: 

“Hooray for Outsiders!” 

“LOVE the festival, think it’s a brilliant addition to the gay community and like the fact that many straight people go along too. Keep up the fantastic work!” 

“Long may Outsiders ride.” 

“The Outsiders festival has provided a unique chance for the people of Liverpool to sample some of the most cutting edge films in world cinema today. The excellent introductions given to the films are informative, and educational.” 

“I think you do a really good job at catering for your lesbian audience and not just doing token ‘girl stuff’ – so, thanks!” 

“Outsiders is well-attended, stimulating, diverse and worthy of support from the community in Liverpool and beyond. With gems such as Outsiders and Homotopia, Liverpool need not be a poor relation to Manchester.” 

“The events are vitally important for gay people in Liverpool, and help reduce the isolation and marginalisation so commonly experienced by gay people.” 

“Excellent work carried out by Outsiders. The website is very informative and the films shown have been very good. I have friends who travel from other regions (including London) to see the shows.” 

“Outsiders is an excellent and alternative way to meet friends out of the usual gay scene.” 

“It is good that the Transgender community are included, we are often the small t on the end. The films are great and I love going to the Phil to see films.” 

“You’re doing a good job of keeping gay culture alive in Liverpool which is not exactly the most gay-friendly city in the country.” 

“I love Outsiders as it has given Liverpool something which is different, an alternative to the gay scene. It is also a great way of catching up with friends.” 

And that’s more than enough for now! We were delighted with the feedback we got – and we’ve also learnt a lot about how our audience want the festival to develop. 

It is all about the audience, all about community. A community that includes emo kids, queers, Goths, transgendered people, punks, bi-sexuals, strays (straight gays) and Lesbionic Amazonian feminists. 

Over 50,000 lesbian & gay people live on Merseyside and the Wirral. We’ve been lagging behind Manchester for far too long. 

There’s no reason why Outsiders shouldn’t be the biggest film festival in the North of England – if you want it to be. 

Come see the films. Join the mailing list. Get involved. 

Matthew Fox

Festival Director 

P. S. Outsiders is a registered charity (no. 1101311). You can help support the work we do right now by clicking here to go to our donate page!