The first film, Reaching for the Moon, screens at 8pm while the festival opening night party is at 9pm at ICON bar.

The festival is being held over the weekend, with six feature films, one documentary and a series of short films being screened, in conjunction with an art exhibition.

Starring in one of this year's feature films is Bendigo native Hannah Raven Smith - an up-and-coming actress who has the lead role in Zoe.Misplaced.

Ms Raven Smith said although her character, Zoe, was a lesbian, Zoe's sexuality was not the focus of the story.

Rather, she said the film was about falling in love with someone you shouldn't.

"The script was so relatable," she said.

"I felt like I could really connect with the lead character of Zoe."

She said she was overjoyed the film would be playing in her home town.

Zoe.Misplaced screens on Saturday at 4pm at the La Trobe University Visual Arts Centre on View Street.

For more information go to www.bendigoqueerfilmfestival.com.au