The Queer Games Festival is inviting game developers from around the world to submit their work for its 2026 festival, with entries open until 31 August 2026.
Entry is free and open to developers at any stage of their career, with the festival continuing its celebration of a games scene that is as diverse, inventive and difficult to define as the communities it represents.
There is, the festival says, something distinctive about queer games. Contemporary, autobiographical, experimental and political approaches frequently intersect, creating work that can be exciting, challenging, beautiful and unexpected. Rather than attempting to prescribe what constitutes a ‘queer game’, the festival embraces the breadth of approaches being explored by developers today.
The 2026 program will again feature the festival’s games showcase and awards, alongside a growing range of initiatives designed to support and elevate queer game makers.
Among the new opportunities this year will be a one-night physical event in Carlton in October, presented in collaboration with Sabby. The event will give the public an opportunity to play a selection of games featured in this year’s festival. The event will take place on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people, with the date and time to be announced.
The festival will also undertake the second edition of its State of the Scene survey – providing an opportunity to check in with queer game makers and gain a clearer picture of how the community is developing and what its creators need.
The Emerging Developer Award returns in 2026, sponsored by Minoh Workshop. Open to an early-career developer of any age, the award includes a US$500 prize and recognises emerging talent within the queer games community.
The festival is also expanding its awards program with a new Excellence in Narrative Award, also supported by Minoh Workshop, which comes with a US$250 prize.
With the festival taking place throughout October, the 2026 edition is shaping up as its most ambitious yet, combining opportunities for developers with new ways for audiences to discover and engage with queer games.
Entries close 31 August 2026. Entry is free and open to developers anywhere in the world. For more information, visit: www.mqgf.com.au for details.
Image: Queer Games Festival Melbourne (supplied)