The Criminal Queerness Festival (CQF) is an Obie Award-winning annual event produced by National Queer Theater that showcases the works of international LGBTQ+ playwrights from countries where queer identities are criminalized or censored. Since its inception in 2019 during WorldPride, CQF has provided a vital platform for these artists to share their stories, fostering global awareness and solidarity.

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Over the years, CQF has showcased works from playwrights hailing from diverse countries, including Syria, Venezuela, Uganda, Kenya, Iraq, China, Pakistan, Tanzania, Egypt, Mexico, India, Lebanon, and Poland. The festival has garnered critical acclaim, being recognized as a 2020 NYC Mayor's Grant for Cultural Impact Awardee and receiving recommendations from esteemed publications such as The New York Times, The Advocate, and Thrillist. NQT partners with community groups such as Artistic Freedom Initiative (AFI) and esteemed venues such as Lincoln Center and the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) to amplify the festival's reach, engaging diverse audiences in critical conversations about LGBTQ+ rights worldwide. 

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Through CQF, NQT not only elevates marginalized voices but also enriches the cultural fabric of New York City by introducing audiences to bold, original works that challenge societal norms and inspire change. The festival embodies NQT's commitment to artistic excellence, social justice, and the celebration of queer narratives from around the globe.

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The Criminal Queerness Festival has been supported by generous funders including New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; the National Endowment for the Arts; the JKW Foundation; NYC Pride; and the Terrence McNally Foundation.