EXCLUSIVE: Jack'd Just Launched a Groundbreaking Film Festival—And the Judge Lineup Is LEGENDARY

A Dating App Just Did Something Nobody Expected

Jack'd, the largest dating app for queer people of color in the United States, just made a power move that's shaking up Hollywood.

The app isn't just about swipes and DMs anymore. It's officially launching its inaugural Jack'd Film Festival—a brand new competition and showcase celebrating original films by queer creators.

But here's where it gets interesting: The festival has a very specific mission. It's not just about great filmmaking. It's about centering the stories, experiences, and perspectives of queer people of color—a narrative space that Hollywood has historically overlooked.

And the judges? They're not messing around.

The panel includes some of the most influential voices in LGBTQ+ entertainment. Keep reading to see who made the cut...

The Star Power Behind the Festival

According to an exclusive report from Variety, Jack'd has assembled an all-star judging panel that reads like a who's-who of queer media. The lineup includes TS Madison, the breakout star and producer of 'Outlaws With TS Madison,' alongside Dyllón Burnside, an acclaimed actor and producer known for bringing nuanced queer narratives to screen.

But they're not alone. The full judge panel also features Miss Lawrence, Bobby Ashley, and Mike Gauyo—each bringing their own credentials and perspectives to the table.

This isn't just a vanity project. The festival represents a significant moment for Jack'd, which has already positioned itself as the go-to app for queer people of color looking for genuine connection. Now, the company is doubling down on community and culture.

The move signals something bigger: Major platforms are finally recognizing the value of queer creators of color and their stories. And they're willing to invest real resources—and real star power—to celebrate them.

But why now? What's really driving this push into entertainment?

The answer reveals Jack'd's ambitious vision for the future of LGBTQ+ media and culture.

A Festival With a Mission

The Jack'd Film Festival is more than just another Hollywood competition. It's a direct response to a documented gap in the entertainment industry: the lack of visible, celebrated stories from queer creators of color.

According to the festival's mission statement, the inaugural event will showcase and celebrate original films that center queer experiences and perspectives—with particular emphasis on stories that amplify voices from communities of color. In other words, this is cinema by and for people who've been historically marginalized in mainstream media.

The judge panel's composition reflects this ethos. TS Madison, in particular, has built a reputation for creating unfiltered, authentic content that speaks directly to Black queer communities. Dyllón Burnside brings award-winning credentials and a track record of championing LGBTQ+ narratives in prestige television. Together, they signal that Jack'd is serious about artistic credibility, not just corporate optics.

This is the kind of initiative that could reshape how queer stories get told—and who gets to tell them. For the first time, a major dating app is using its platform and resources to invest in cultural production.

The festival launch comes at a moment when LGBTQ+ creators are increasingly demanding more control over their narratives. Jack'd appears to be listening.

But there's more happening behind the scenes that shows just how serious the company is about this bet.

What This Means for Queer Cinema

The launch of the Jack'd Film Festival could become a game-changer for independent queer filmmakers, especially creators of color who face significant barriers to funding and distribution in Hollywood.

By leveraging its user base and resources, Jack'd is creating a direct pipeline from creation to platform—bypassing traditional gatekeepers who have historically underrepresented these voices. This is community investment disguised as cultural programming.

The festival also sets a precedent for other platforms and companies in the tech and entertainment space. If Jack'd can build a credible film festival with a star-studded judge panel, what's stopping other apps and platforms from doing the same?

For TS Madison, Dyllón Burnside, and the rest of the judge panel, this represents an opportunity to shape the future of queer media from the inside—to decide which stories get told, which voices get amplified, and which creators get their moment.

The inaugural Jack'd Film Festival is just the beginning. As details about submissions, timeline, and awards emerge, expect this to become a major fixture in the LGBTQ+ entertainment calendar. Keep watching CelebBuzz for updates on participating filmmakers and first-look reveals.