ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The ImageOut LGBTQ+ Film Festival starts Thursday night and runs through October 20. This year, the festival's focus is to confront the current political climate the community faces in a way it never has before. The group has partnered with the Rochester Contemporary Art Center to open an exhibit called "Queering Democracy," which gathered work by queer artists from around the country. The festival features nearly 30 films playing at both the Little and Dryden theaters, and will host community events where folks can meet and discuss the films. "I think a film festival like this ... gives folks a place to come together, celebrate, see themselves represented, and I think that's very validating in a time right now where it's a contentious political climate around the country," ImageOut Board Chair Michele Thorton said. The festival starts with a kick off party Thursday night at the RoCo exhibit on East Avenue.Click here for tickets and other information.