The word is out…the 13th annual OUT at the Movies Film Festival returns this week, running from Thursday, Sept. 24 through Sunday, Sept. 27.

The festival will screen nearly 50 films this year, after receiving more than 300 submissions. You don’t have to be a part of the LQBTQ+ community to enjoy the films, as they all “carry tones of joy, perseverance, and living authentically,” said Max Cullen, the festival’s director of operations and marketing.

Founded in 2004, OUT at the Movies has screened approximately 500 movies to date, including as part of this annual festival that began in 2014. In addition, the festival hosts panel discussions, parties, and other special events.

“We may not be one of the longest-running festivals of the larger cities, but we do the very best in terms of the quality of our programming and hospitality. The LGBTQ+ filmmaking community is close-knit, and the word is out about our festival and special environment that we create in Winston-Salem,” said Executive Director Rex Welton.

Individual screening tickets are $12 for general audiences and free for students with a valid ID. A flex pass — which allows you entry into any five films — costs $50 and an all-access pass — which also gets you into other festival events — is $75.

We’ve combed through OUT at the Movies’ program and have selected five films we’d recommend seeing.

“Free Beer Tomorrow” | A documentary about Ohio’s longest-running lesbian-owned and -operated bar. | Saturday, Sept. 26 | 4 p.m. | a/perture

“Time Warp” | A documentary about a drag theatre company in Rock Springs, Wyoming putting on “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” | Saturday, Sept. 26 | 7 p.m. | UNCSA ACE Theatre Complex

“Before I Do” | A feature film about a bachelor party weekend that devolves into drama and chaos. | Saturday, Sept. 26 | 7:15 p.m. | UNCSA ACE Theatre Complex

“Exit Interviews” | A feature film about a man who tries to unpack his failed relationships by interviewing his ex-boyfriends. | Sunday, Sept. 27 | 3:15 p.m. | UNCSA ACE Theatre Complex

“Love Loaded” | A feature film about a 1950s Los Angeles nightclub and an attempted murder. | Sunday, Sept. 27 | 7 p.m. | UNCSA ACE Theatre Complex