The BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival will take place from 19 to 30 March 2025, featuring a diverse line-up of films and events celebrating queer cinema.
The BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival is set to return for its 39th edition, scheduled to take place from 19 to 30 March 2025. This annual festival has established itself as a significant platform for contemporary LGBTQIA+ cinema, showcasing diverse voices and narratives from filmmakers around the world.
For 2025, the festival promises an extensive line-up, featuring not only a selection of new films but also a rich array of events and cherished archive titles that reflect the evolution of queer cinema. Prominent within this year’s offerings is the continuing partnership with the British Council, marking the 11th anniversary of the groundbreaking initiative #FiveFilmsForFreedom. This initiative allows a global audience to access and celebrate films that highlight LGBTQIA+ themes and stories, particularly focusing on solidarity with communities in regions where equal rights remain challenging.
In its previous year, the Five Films for Freedom initiative showcased selections from countries including the Philippines, India, Spain, the USA, and the UK, engaging viewers through a digital campaign that amassed over 3 million views. Since its inception in 2015, the initiative has reached a staggering 26 million views across more than 200 countries and principalities, further asserting the importance of broadening the visibility of LGBTQIA+ narratives. The films presented through this initiative are available for free on the BFI Player, expanding access to significant cinematic works.
For filmmakers eager to participate in the upcoming festival, submissions are now open for the 2025 edition. The deadline for submission of online forms and film screeners is as follows: short films running 25 minutes or less must be submitted by 6 December 2024, while short films between 26 to 50 minutes, as well as feature-length films exceeding 51 minutes, must also meet the same deadline of 17:00 GMT on that day.
This call for entries signifies a commitment to encourage new creations within the queer cinematic landscape, contributing to the ongoing dialogue about representation and storytelling within the LGBTQIA+ community. The festival’s contributions to lesbian culture and queer narratives continue to be pivotal, particularly in London, which remains a vibrant hub of artistic expression for these voices.
Source: Noah Wire Services