This year’s programme is full of must-see films
BY NIC CROSARA, STILL FROM QUEEN OF COAL
BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival is back, baby! The beloved film fest is returning to the capital this March and this edition also marks Flare’s 40th anniversary. This year’s festival is kicking things off in style with a screening at its opening gala (18 March) of Jennifer Kroot’s riotous documentary Hunky Jesus. This year’s closing night film is the must-see Black Burns Fast, written and directed by Sandulela Asanda. Earlier this month, Flare also announced its special presentation film this time around would be Paloma Schneideman’s coming-of-age film Big Girls Don’t Cry.
And today is another exciting one for LGBTQIA+ screenbuffs and cinephiles because Flare just announced its programme for 2026. Spoiler alert: It’s full of must-see films. Like previous years, Flare is divided into different thematic programme strands: Hearts, Bodies, Minds, and a new strand for its anniversary edition, Treasures. This year’s Flare also includes 31 world premieres across its offerings of features and shorts, and it is screening films from 47 countries.
Coming up, we take a look at films from each strand that we think our readers will *love*.
DIVA recommends: Hearts
LOVE LETTERS (DES PREUVES D’AMOUR) – This feature offers an examination of the complexities of maternal love as a lesbian couple navigates pregnancy and legal hurdles in order to achieve legitimacy.
MONTREAL, MY LOVE – Prepare to feel your feelings in this story that follows a Chinese immigrant in her 50s exploring her hidden lesbian desires for the first time.
THE DEEPEST SPACE IN US – This feature offers up an introspective drama following an aromantic and asexual woman who is seeking an honest connection with those around her.
WASHED UP – This fantastical romcom set in Cornwall follows a lesbian who falls in love with a Selkie.
ÌFÉ: (THE SEQUEL) – This is the highly anticipated sequel to Nigeria’s first lesbian film by director Pamela Adie.
THE FLING – This stop-motion short is a romantic horror that features two bisexual aliens on the hunt for love.
DIVA recommends: Bodies
BODY OF OUR OWN – This documentary was filmed over the course of six years and shows the resilience and sisterhood of three Hijra women.
QUEEN OF COAL – Starring Lux Pascal, this film follows a defiant woman who yearns to work in a male-dominated world.
RAINBOW GIRLS – This must-see short follows three high-fashion Black trans women who organise a heist targeting gentrified San Francisco’s luxury brands.
THE DYSPHORIA – This short comedy horror follows a trans woman who does a satanic ritual in order to get a vulva.
DIVA recommends: Minds
BARBARA FOREVER – DIVAs will love this striking documentary of the pioneering and trailblazing lesbian filmmaker Barbara Hammer.
UCHRONIA: PARALLEL HISTORIES OF QUEER REVOLT – This bold cinematic essay explores revolutionary politics, queer history and art.
WHAT WILL I BECOME? – This vital memorial highlights the vulnerabilities of trans masculine youth.
KISSES AND BULLETS – In this short, viewers watch two Iranian women in two different countries find a connection when attending worldwide Women, Life, Freedom protests.
LONELIER THAN LOVE – Written by and starring Sex Education’s Felix Mufti, this short follows a Liverpudlian night owl who starts to spin out of control on the hedonistic merry-go-round of endless clubbing.
DIVA recommends: Treasures
IMPURE NUNS – This is a transgressive treasure from the fifties. Previously unseen outside of Japan, it chronicles an affair between two nuns at a boarding school.
PINK NARCISSUS – Don’t miss the 4k restoration premiere of this erotically charged film that has gone on to influence artists such as queer icon Charli xcx.
THE WATERMELON WOMAN – This year marks the 30th anniversary of this staple lesbian film. There’s no better time to watch it for the first time, or re-watch it for the 30th or 300th time.
Here’s a teaser for events we think you will love
HEARTSTOPPER FOREVER!
Join Flare for an exclusive talk exploring the creative journey of the Heartstopper phenomenon.
THE MAKERS: CHERYL DUNYE
Don’t miss the acclaimed Black lesbian filmmaker discuss her body of work. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of her groundbreaking feature debut The Watermelon Woman.
BFI FLARE: FOUR DECADES OF QUEER CINEMA MAGIC!
This is a must-attend event for lovers of all things LGBTQIA+ cinema
The BFI Flare 2026 Programming team are Grace Barber-Plentie, Diana Cipriano, Zorian Clayton, Jaye Hudson, Darren Jones and Wema Mumma.
BFI Flare Programmers said: “As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we are delighted to present a programme full of cinematic gems and compelling events. For four decades, BFI Flare has championed bold storytelling and created a vital space for connection and visibility. We look forward to welcoming talent from the UK and around the world to the BFI Southbank, to share their films with our audiences. At a time when visibility and authentic representation remain as vital as ever, we are proud to continue providing a platform where our communities can see themselves reflected on screen unapologetically, truthfully, and with pride.”
The 40th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival takes place 18 – 29 March at BFI Southbank. You can find out more about BFI Flare and see the full programme here: whatson.bfi.org.uk/flare
Love media made by and for LGBTQIA+ women and gender diverse people? Then you’ll love DIVA. We’ve been spotlighting the community for over 30 years. Here’s how you can get behind queer media and keep us going for another generation: linkin.bio/ig-divamagazine
Did you know that DIVA has now become a charity? Our magazine is published by the DIVA Charitable Trust. You can find out more about the organisation and how you can offer your support here: divacharitabletrust.com
