The film festival circuit hasn’t always been a welcoming place for diverse voices. And, while we mustn’t forget that the fight for rights and recognition of LGBTQIA+ people is an ongoing battle, nowadays there is a thriving festival circuit which specialises in stories by and about LGBTQIA folks all over the world.
If anyone knows the best festivals, it’s Festival Formula founder Katie Bignell. For 20 years Katie has been helping filmmakers find the perfect festival home for their work.
We asked her to share her favourite LGBTQIA Film Festivals:
- Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival
18 years and counting, this festival should be a dead cert for any queer film to submit to. With a competitive programme the bonus is their network sprawls much further than its location of Wales with partnerships all over the world.
- BFI Flare
A festival that delivers a variety of events and films each year, with some fantastic guest speakers too. BFI Southbank is the integral home to this UK stalwart.
- MIX COPENHAGEN LGBTQIA+ Film Festival
One of the leading lights on the queer scene in the Nordic area, this festival delivers each year with great programming.
- ROZE FILMDAGEN; Amsterdam LGBTQ+ Film Festival
The longest running LGBTQIA+ festival in the Netherlands at 27 years and showing no sign of stopping. 12 days full of diverse films and events.
- NewFest: The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival
With NY having its own cultural hotbed for the queer scene, NewFest delivers in buckets with strong programming, engaging panels, and exciting events. 36 years young and still pounding the NY streets.
- LesGaiCineMad, Madrid LGBTI+ International Film Festival
Taking place in Madrid it’s a great sunny place to see so many films but also see some panels too. The programming is fantástico!
Paris, the city of love… And one of the long standing queer festivals in the region with its 30th birthday coming up this November.
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