The LGBTQ Center Long Beach has recently become a sponsor for The Filmmaker Club. The Queer 26 established this program to help up-and-coming artists gain experience in the filmmaking industry. 

“Art comes in many different forms and shapes. Art can help all of us to deal with the difficulties in our lives,” said Carlos Torres, The Center’s Executive Director. 

“We know that in the news in recent weeks there have been a lot of issues that are very concerning to our community and the people that we serve. Art can help communicate hope and unity. If we can help elevate the voice of young artists or up-and-coming artists, even better.”

Renamed in 2014 as The LGBTQ Center Long Beach, the mission is to guide and inspire the LGBTQ community. They aim to empower the creative community within the LGBTQ community with art, music and filmmaking. The Center provides programming which addresses the experiences of LGBTQ individuals across spectrums of gender, sexual orientation, age, race, religious origin/faith background, national origin, immigration status, educational background, language(s), (dis)ability and socioeconomic status.

The Queer 26 created The Filmmakers Club to guide filmmakers that have been systematically excluded from the film industry. The club hosts space for up to 10 applicants to learn from hands-on activity. The mission for this club is that it provides a space for QTBIPOC creatives to network, build their skills, and find new job opportunities. During the 2021 Club, participants were able to build up their portfolios, their confidence and received advice from industry leaders. They got hands-on experiences in the studio and on set. The studio sponsorship level allows applicants to get hands-on experience from photography shoots and other multimedia from a rented studio space.