The celebration of LGBTQIA cinema has just released its programme
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY UNIVERSAL
BFI Flare is back! Taking place between 19 – 30 March in the iconic BFI Southbank, this world-renowned LGBTQIA film festival has just dropped its programme for this year.
Kicking off the 39th celebration of queer film will be Andrew Ahn’s hotly anticipated comedy The Wedding Banquet, starring Lily Gladstone and Kelly Marie Tran. This year’s Flare will see 34 World Premieres, 56 features, 81 shorts and one series, all from 41 countries. The closing night will see audiences flock to Filipe Matzembacher and Marcio Reolon’s thriller Night Stage.
Cinema-goers will also be able to watch this year’s Five Films For Freedom, a collaboration between Flare and the British Council which invites people around the world to show solidarity with LGBTQIA communities who have their rights limited. Available for free online during the Flare, last year’s #FiveFilmsForFreedom attracted over three million views from around the world.
Separated into three different themes – Hearts, Bodies and Minds — here are some of the films we’re adding to our watchlist this Flare.
THE SILENCE OF MY HANDS. Directed by Manuel Acuña, this tender love story between two deaf women watches as they navigate life and relationships across national borders.
MANOK. A moving comedy by Yu-jin Lee about the owner of a South Korean lesbian bar who is forced to return to her small hometown after clashing with the city’s younger queer community.
TRANS MEMORIA. Victoria Verseau’s personal documentary watches her retrace her own transition journey while remembering a friend.
DRIP LIKE COFFEE. Anaiis Cisco’s feature debut is a gorgeous depiction of Black queer women’s love, following two New York baristas who embark on a sensual love affair.
LUCKY, APARTMENT. Kangyu Garam’s film watches a lesbian couple’s stable life shaken after a strange smell from a downstairs apartment causes conflict in their building.
REALLY HAPPY SOMEDAY. J Stevens’ powerful film watches a young trans stage musical star grappling with the changes in his singing voice as he transitions.
OUTERLANDS. Elena Oxman’s feature debut, starring Asia Kate Dillon and Lea DeLaria, follows a non-binary nanny who is forced to tackle addiction and childhood trauma.
SUMMER’S CAMERA. Divine Sung’s dreamy coming-of-age drama follows a teenage girl experiencing her first crush as she uncovers family secrets.
BFI Flare will also screen four of the biggest LGBTQIA films of the last 12 months including Luca Guadanigno’s Queer, Jane Schoenbrun’s cult classic I Saw The TV Glow, Lillah Halla’s debut Power Alley, and fan favourite documentary Will & Harper.
During the festival, there will be a number of events taking place, including compelling panels and debates. You won’t want to miss seeing Cheryl Dunye, Wanuri Kahiu and Dee Rees talking about the rich history of Black queer women’s cinema!
Tickets go on sale on 25 February for BFI Members and on general sale from 27 February.
You can find out more here: bfi.org.uk/flare
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