London — One of the world’s longest-running LGBTQIA+ film events, the BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival has unveiled the full programme for its landmark 40th anniversary edition, with organisers promising a celebratory mix of premieres, retrospectives and industry events at BFI Southbank. whatson.bfi.org.uk/flare.
Bottom L to R: Madfabulous; Montreal, My Beautiful; Queen of Coal
The 2026 festival will feature 65 feature films and 62 shorts from 47 countries, including 31 world premieres, alongside panels, exhibitions and DJ nights. The programme is divided into four strands: HEARTS, BODIES and MINDS, with a new anniversary section, TREASURES, spotlighting historic LGBTQIA+ cinema.
Opening and closing films
The festival opens with the world premiere of Hunky Jesus, a documentary by Jennifer Kroot following activist group the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and their San Francisco Easter tradition. Sister Roma will appear for a special talk on the group’s history and impact.
Closing night will host the UK premiere of Black Burns Fast, a South African coming-of-age romance directed by Sandulela Asanda, charting a scholarship student’s emotional awakening at an elite boarding school.
Special guests and talks
A headline Screen Talk will feature acclaimed writer-producer Russell T Davies, discussing his career and upcoming Channel 4 drama Tip Toe. Davies is known for groundbreaking queer representation in series including Queer as Folk and It’s a Sin, and for introducing prominent LGBTQIA+ storylines into Doctor Who.
World premieres and highlights
Among the major premieres:
- Madfabulous by Celyn Jones, a period drama about Henry Cyril Paget
- Beyond the Fire by Hiroaki Matsuoka, on Japan’s first Pride pioneer
- Can’t Go Over It by Ethan Fuirst
- I Am Going to Miss You by Daniel Ribeiro
- Ìfé: (The Sequel) by Pamela Adie
Special Presentation Big Girls Don’t Cry from Paloma Schneideman will also screen, emerging from Jane Campion’s talent programme.
Restorations and classics
A major archival highlight is the 4K restoration of Pink Narcissus (1971) by James Bidgood, restored by the UCLA Film & Television Archive. Other classics include The Watermelon Woman by Cheryl Dunye and Mysterious Skin by Gregg Araki.
Documentary and global cinema focus
Documentary titles include:
- Barbara Forever by Brydie O’Connor
- 10s Across the Borders by Sze-Wei Chan
- Treat Me Like Your Mother by Mohamad Abdouni
The programme also spotlights Asian and South American queer cinema, with films from Japan, Cambodia, the Philippines, Brazil and Argentina exploring identity, activism and community.
Industry and community initiatives
The festival’s industry strand will host networking events, press screenings and panels, with accreditation opening 18 February. The BFI NETWORK and BAFTA mentoring cohort will participate in dedicated sessions.
The global digital initiative Five Films For Freedom, delivered with the British Council, returns for its 12th year, offering free online LGBTQIA+ shorts worldwide. Since 2015, the programme has drawn nearly 29 million views across more than 200 countries.
Events, exhibitions and celebrations
Anniversary programming includes exhibitions at Queer Britain, illustrated talks on queer film history, drag activism discussions, and retrospective panels with past programmers. DJ nights and community stalls will run throughout the festival.
Tickets and dates
Tickets go on sale 24 February for BFI members and 26 February for general audiences via the BFI website.
Festival programmers said the 40th edition celebrates “bold storytelling” and remains committed to visibility and authentic representation, offering audiences worldwide the chance to see LGBTQIA+ lives reflected “unapologetically, truthfully, and with pride.”