London, UK – The 39th edition of BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, one of the most prestigious queer film events in the world, has revealed its full programme for 2025. Taking place at BFI Southbank, the festival will run with packed screenings, special events, and DJ nights, celebrating LGBTQIA+ storytelling from around the globe.
The festival, which runs from March 2025, will feature 34 world premieres, including 56 feature films, 81 shorts, and one series from 41 countries. Tickets go on sale for BFI Members on 25 February, with general ticket sales starting 27 February at bfi.org.uk/flare.
Opening & Closing Night Films
BFI Flare 2025 will kick off with the International Premiere of The Wedding Banquet, a fresh reimagining of Ang Lee’s classic rom-com. Directed by Andrew Ahn, the film stars Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, and Academy Award-winner Youn Yuh-Jung.
Closing the festival will be the UK premiere of Night Stage, directed by Filipe Matzembacher and Marcio Reolon. This intense drama follows a secret affair between an actor and a politician, exploring themes of fame, risk, and desire.
Festival Highlights & World Premieres
BFI Flare’s diverse programme spans three key strands: HEARTS, BODIES, and MINDS, showcasing a mix of romance, politics, and personal journeys.
- World premieres include Summer’s Camera, a coming-of-age drama by Divine Sung, and Where You Find Me, a provocative thriller about women’s rights by Willi Andrick, Juan Bermúdez, Isis Rampf, and Anna Schröder.
- A Night Like This by Liam Calvert stars Alexander Lincoln (Emmerdale) in a heartfelt drama about an unexpected connection between two strangers.
- The festival also presents How to Live, a documentary by Kenyan filmmaker Njoroge Muthoni, capturing the vibrant Nairobi ballroom scene.
Black & Trans Narratives Take Center Stage
This year’s festival places a strong focus on Black and trans storytelling:
- Dreams in Nightmares, starring Denée Benton (UnREAL), follows three Black queer femmes on a road trip across the U.S.
- The UK premiere of Drip Like Coffee explores a tender love affair between two Black New York baristas.
- Assembly, a multimedia documentary, pays tribute to Black queer culture and vogueing, directed by Rashaad Newsome and Jonny Symons.
Trans narratives also shine with:
- Enigma, a documentary about disco queen Amanda Lear and British trans icon April Ashley.
- Trans Memoria, a deeply personal film exploring gender identity and grief.
Five Films For Freedom Returns for 11th Year
In partnership with the British Council, BFI Flare continues its Five Films For Freedom initiative, making five short films available globally for free. The 2024 campaign attracted over three million views worldwide, particularly in regions where LGBTQIA+ rights are restricted.
This year’s selection includes:
- Dragfox (UK)
- If I Make It to the Morning (USA)
- No!!! / Nggak!!! (Indonesia)
- Wait, Wait, Now! (New Zealand)
- We’ll Go Down in History (UK)
BFI & BAFTA Mentoring Programme Supports Emerging LGBTQIA+ Creatives
BFI Flare continues its commitment to fostering emerging LGBTQIA+ talent through the BFI NETWORK & BAFTA Mentoring Programme. Now in its 10th year, the initiative supports UK-based writers, directors, and producers working towards their first feature film or TV pilot.
Past mentees include BAFTA-nominated director Aleem Khan (After Love) and Amrou Al-Kadhi (Layla).
Industry Programme & Delegate Events
BFI Flare 2025 will also offer an Industry Programme with networking sessions, industry screenings, and panel discussions at BFI Southbank. Accreditation opens on 19 February, with full details set to be announced soon.
As the LGBTQIA+ film industry continues to thrive, BFI Flare remains a vital platform for storytelling, visibility, and community celebration.
For the full festival programme, visit bfi.org.uk/flare.