“I think queer space is sacred space and we need more of it in the state of Utah.”
Cat Palmer grew up in Orange County, California and moved to Salt Lake City when they were 21. Palmer is the programming director of the 2024 Utah Queer Film Festival (UQFF). This is their first year as the program director, after having served six years on the programming committee for the festival.
“I really love that they’re a mindful organization. I love that they’re inclusive. I love that they are willing to learn and grow,” Palmer said.
Changes Within the Festival
UQFF was previously known as “Damn These Heels.” This year, the festival found itself a rebrand.
“You couldn’t say the word damn on these stations and so they would oftentimes just call us the ‘Utah Queer Film Festival.,’” Palmer said. “And so we thought, ‘Well, why don’t we just call us what they’re already saying’ … it makes it more inclusive and it makes more sense.”
UQFF is inclusive and has carried that initiative through its programming.
“Russell Roots [the Director of Film Exhibition with the Utah Film Center] has just been really great and easy to work with. He’s been really open to my ideas, and Russell’s had fabulous ideas as well,” Palmer added.
They explained this is the first year the committee has seen a non-male director, saying that the organization has been continually progressive. Palmer then explained that UQFF came up with the addition of teen programming. This is the first year the programming has been put into place. The festival has been widely known to show R-rated and other adult films that families couldn’t enjoy.
“I have a queer teen, and I love that there’s programming for her to watch,” Palmer said. “ … When I was a kid we had no representation. There was nothing. My spouse is in their 50s and never heard the word gay. Didn’t see any gay people on the screen. Didn’t know anything.”
UQFF is not just a film festival, but also a celebration of queer art.
Only Getting Better
Teen programming is just one milestone that the festival has reached. Palmer said that this year there will be a live concert for Matthew Shepard, “Life after Laramie.” This is the biggest memorial we’ve had in the state of Utah. Chris Myers, Jared Oaks, grandson of Dallin H. Oaks, Ballet West and the Utah Symphony will all come together and perform a tribute concert for Shepard.
“[Utah Queer Film Festival is] continually growing and assessing and just getting better with age. I feel like they’re a fine wine. And I just see that about them … they’re continually diversifying and being more inclusive and just getting better as they age.”
Palmer and the rest of the programming committee hope to see a high turnout of many backgrounds.
“People can either be uncomfortable with change or embrace it and move forward with excitement,” they said.
