#FIRSTLOOK: INSIDE OUT TORONTO 2SLGBTQ+ FILM FESTIVAL NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STRATEGIC PLAN

The Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival, Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival dedicated to celebrating queer cinema from Canada and around the world, opened 2026 with a significant new chapter. The organisation welcomes Carly Beath as Executive Director, unveils a new five-year strategic plan and launches Run It Back: A League of Our Own, a year-round screening series.

Carly Beath joins Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival with nearly twenty years of experience in the non-profit arts and culture sector. A proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, she brings both lived experience and deep sector knowledge to this leadership role. Her professional background includes senior leadership positions in fundraising, government relations, communications, and program development. Most recently, Beath served as Director of Development at the Canadian Film Centre.

“Joining the Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival team is an incredible opportunity to contribute to its lasting impact as an organisation that amplifies a diversity of vital queer stories that connect, challenge and inspire,” said Carly Beath, Executive Director of Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival. “I look forward to meeting our community of attendees and supporters and creating meaningful experiences for everyone who comes to an Inside Out event.”

Beath assumes the role at a pivotal moment for the organisation. Inside Out’s newly launched five-year strategic plan outlines a clear roadmap, centred on audience engagement, programmatic excellence and financial stability. Guided by an updated mission, the plan reinforces the festival’s commitment to connecting filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences through inclusive, diverse storytelling, while nurturing the next generation of creators.

As part of the expanded vision, Inside Out launched Run It Back: A League of Our Own, a new year-round programming initiative that extends the festival’s presence beyond its annual dates. Taking place during Toronto’s landmark year for sports and culture, the program shines a spotlight on stories of teamwork, resilience, gender equity, and queer community on and off the field.

The series kicks off on Friday, January 29 at the Paradise Theatre with a double feature of audience-favourite sports classics: A League of Their Own, starring Academy Award® winners Tom Hanks and Geena Davis, alongside Emmy Award-winner Rosie O’Donnell and Grammy Award-winner Madonna, followed by the queer classic The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy, starring Timothy Olyphant, Dean Cain and Zach Braff.

Upcoming Run It Back: A League of Our Own screening dates include Saturday March 14, Monday May 4, Thursday July 16, and Thursday October 8. Film details will be announced on the Inside Out website and social channels. Tickets are available here.

The year-round lineup will reflect the festival’s commitment to embracing bold, timely, and diverse storytelling with the 36th edition of the Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival serving as the centrepiece of the program.

The 2026 Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival will take place this year from May 22 to May 31, in person at TIFF Lightbox and online. Tickets and full programming details will be announced in late April.

About Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival

Inside Out is Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival and the single largest promoter and distributor of 2SLGBTQ+ content in Canada. Founded in 1991, Inside Out is committed to representing the interests of 2SLGBTQ+ voices within the Canadian film industry. We are dedicated to developing, presenting, and promoting 2SLGBTQ+ content that showcases and supports the broad diversity of voices and identities within our communities, and ensuring that authentic and positive representation of 2SLGBTQ+ people is central in that content.

Annually, Inside Out presents the 10-day Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival (Toronto’s third largest festival after TIFF and Hot Docs), a year-round screening and event series, and innovative professional development initiatives including the world’s only 2SLGBTQ+ International Finance Forum and the RE:Focus Fund. Inside Out is a Canadian Academy qualifying festival.

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