Who we are:

Our Mission is Diversity and Education

The Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival is an event hosted by the Desperado Film Club which is a Paradise Valley Community College student organization. Desperado’s mission is to showcase quality films that are related to the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. Our goal is to create an event that is educational, enlightening, entertaining, and enjoyable. In addition to the screening of films, local artists and photographers are showcased in the art gallery.

Outdoor events and the art gallery are free and open to the public.

Festival Director:  Dale Heuser, PVCC Faculty
Festival Programmer: Alan East
Art Gallery Manager: Tomi Johnston, PVCC Program Director, Art History
Film Selection: Marilyn Cristiano, Erica Kepler

All selected films/filmmakers are eligible for awards.. Awards will be announced the week following the last day of our festival.

Award categories are:

Audience Award – Best Feature
Audience Award – Best Short

PVCC Mission:

The Mission of Paradise Valley Community College is to educate the whole person and to serve our students and our communities by providing learning opportunities that are designed to help them achieve their goals. Also, PVCC provides access to these opportunities in a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment.

The Desperado Film Festival supports the Vision and Mission of the college by showcasing films that promote understanding of complex issues and initiatives that create positive social change, promote inclusion, and illustrate the importance of cross cultural communication.

Proceeds from the Desperado Film Festival support LGBTQA Scholarships!

Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation

Maricopa Community College FoundationThe Desperado Diversity Fund is part of the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation which is a 501(c)3. All donations via the Foundation (Desperado Diversity and Inclusion Fund) are tax deductible.

To donate, click HERE.