BFI Flare: LGBTQIA+ Film Festival

Celebrating the hearts, bodies and minds of London’s LGBTQIA+ community, BFI Flare returns for another scorching year of queer cinema. Expect new faces and old favourites on the big screen, along with some great talks. Dozens of films from all aspects of LGBTQIA+ culture are being screened; themes include love, romance, sex and transformation.

Gala Nights

The opening and closing night galas have been announced. Opening the festival is the European premiere of Amrou Al-Kadhi’s remarkable debut Layla, the story of a struggling British-Palestinian drag queen and their search for love, and closing night sees the world premiere of docu-fiction Lady Like by director/producer Luke Willis, the rags to riches story of London-born drag queen Lady Camden who shot to international fame in RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14.

Hearts, Bodies and Minds

Films are listed under three general thematic strands to guide your viewing choices:
Hearts: Films about love, romance and friendship
Bodies: Stories of sex, identity and transformation
Minds: Reflections on art, politics and community

You can download this year’s festival brochure here for full details of each screening, with a brief description to help you decide.

Five Films for Freedom

As in previous years, Five Films for Freedom will be returning to millions of screens worldwide. The event allows viewers at home to watch five selected short films from across the world absolutely free of charge. Since its launch ten years ago, Five Films for Freedom films have been viewed by over 20 million people, in over 200 countries and principalities.

Events

If you’d rather walk among friendly faces, there are live events of all kinds. The interactive quiz night will be returning on 18th March. Bring a team of four or come solo and join a team of fellow quiz enthusiasts, and get ready to show off your LGBTQIA+ film knowledge, your lip-syncing skills and your life drawing talents.

BFI Flare is also hosting several club nights at the BFI bar. Expect disco, electro, 90s R&B and perhaps the world’s first queer Bollywood club night.

Tickets for BFI Flare

Movie screening tickets for the general public are £13.50 (£11.50 concessions). Matinee screenings (before 5 pm) are £9.00, so it’s well worth getting in early if you’ve a free afternoon. And if you’re lucky enough to be 25 or under, tickets throughout the festival are a steal at £5.00.

General ticket sales go live on Thursday 22nd Feb at 11.30am (BFI Members can book early), with extra tickets released for some screenings and events on Thursday 7 March. Book early to avoid disappointment!