We’re excited to announce that Cat Palmer will return as Festival Director for the 2025 Utah Queer Film Festival (formerly known as Damn These Heels), taking place October 24–26, 2025, at Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center in downtown Salt Lake City. Early-bird Film and Party Passes are on sale now at utahqff.org.
Now entering its twenty-second year, Utah Queer Film Festival (UQFF) continues to showcase a bold and inclusive lineup of queer cinema, offering audiences compelling narratives from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Under the direction of Cat Palmer—an award-winning mixed media artist, photographer, and longtime LGBTQIA+ advocate—the 2025 festival will build on its legacy of community connection, artistic integrity, and diverse storytelling.
“Programming for this festival has been a passion of mine for years,” said Palmer. “As Festival Director, I’m honored to once again guide a team that cares deeply about representation, craft, and emotional resonance. We’re building something truly special for 2025.”
Cat Palmer brings over six years of programming experience with the festival and a deep commitment to uplifting marginalized voices through her art. Her leadership was instrumental in the success of last year’s festival and she remains dedicated to increasing the reach and relevance of queer stories in Utah and beyond. Leading a team of 31 film programmers and working closely with Utah Film Center’s Director of Programming, Russell Roots, Palmer will oversee the selection of this year’s film lineup and help with its community outreach efforts.
Russell Roots shared his excitement: “Cat’s return as Festival Programming Director for the second year is a huge win for the Utah Queer Film Festival. We are excited to have her back at the helm for 2025. Her instinct for powerful, moving films and her collaborative spirit bring energy and clarity to our programming process. We’re thrilled for what’s to come.”
Utah Queer Film Festival (formerly named Damn These Heels) is dedicated to LGBTQ+ issues, ideas, and art through an array of dramatic and documentary films from around the world. For over two decades, the festival has been a vital platform for Utah’s queer community, providing access to films and events that celebrate, inspire, and highlight queer stories, history, and joy. For more information, please visit UtahQueerFilmFestival.org and connect on Facebook and Instagram.
