BFI Flare is shining brighter than ever as it celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026

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Honestly, it was a total ‘wow’ moment for me! It’s kinda hilarious because we get so many amazing actors for the Flare festival, but then to have them come – it felt like we were saying, ‘We really want you here at our little film fest!’ It was just a really lovely and special feeling, especially for the opening movie, The Wedding Banquet.

I was stoked to see Andrew Ahn’s new rom-com at the opening night of BFI Flare in London! It was the film’s international debut, and Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, and Kelly Marie Tran were all there, which was awesome. It was a pretty big deal – one of 18 international premieres, and the festival also had a whopping 34 world premieres this year.

BFI Flare has evolved significantly since it began. It started in 1977 as a short season called Images of Homosexuality, then became Gays’ Own Pictures in 1986. In 1988, it was renamed the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. To better represent its increasing inclusivity, the festival became BFI Flare in 2014.

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This year’s festival was more popular than ever, with almost 30,000 people attending screenings and events at BFI Southbank and on the BFI Player online. The festival also reached a global digital audience of over 2.2 million through its #FiveFilmsForFreedom program, a partnership with the British Council that supports LGBTQIA+ communities facing restrictions on freedom and equality.

While The Wedding Banquet was a prominent film that kicked off this year’s BFI Flare festival and showcased its rising profile, director Barber-Plentie actually remembers it as one of the more personally meaningful, smaller projects she worked on.

She remembered a particularly moving moment at the world premiere of their film, Summer’s Camera. The director, Divine Sung, was deeply touched when someone in the audience – a queer Asian woman – told her how much the film resonated with her personally.

My colleague and I were deeply moved. It’s clear how much these films resonate with audiences, and it’s equally meaningful for the filmmakers to see that connection and hear people’s reactions.

Mia Barber-Plentie has been with the BFI for almost seven years and began programming for BFI Flare in 2021, with the results debuting at the 2022 festival. She’s quickly noticed a positive shift towards more diverse films and content being showcased at the event.

Queer films and festivals often concentrate on lesbian and gay stories, particularly those focusing on gay men. While lesbian films are present, they aren’t showcased as frequently, which is a bit strange.

It’s been incredible to see the growing number of trans-focused films over the past few years, and that trend is really continuing. This past year, we’ve seen a lot of powerful work from filmmakers like Kimberley Reed (with I’m Your Venus) and Zachary Drucker (Enigma), who are either telling their own stories or creating films about transgender experiences.

As a film buff and festival-goer, I’ve noticed BFI Flare is really hitting its stride. They’re heading into their 40th year in 2026 – running from March 18th to 29th – and the timing is perfect. Being so close to Sundance means they get some amazing films, like The Wedding Banquet this year and Love Lies Bleeding last year. But honestly, it’s not just luck; BFI Flare’s reputation is growing, and that’s what lets them snag those big, must-see movies.

Barber-Plentie observed that Flare was sometimes dismissed as simply a festival for queer cinema, placing it in a separate category from major events like Cannes and TIFF. She hopes people now recognize Flare as a festival of equal merit, given the consistently high quality of films made by LGBTQ+ filmmakers.

Many new filmmakers and production companies are eager to showcase their work at Flare. I’m optimistic that this signals positive change and growth for both the festival and queer cinema as a whole, and I find that really encouraging.

To celebrate its 40th year, the festival launched a project collecting stories from people connected to the event. Anyone—whether they’ve attended as a guest or worked behind the scenes—was invited to share their favorite memories earlier this year.

Details about the upcoming oral history project and other plans for the 2026 festival are currently being kept secret. However, Barber-Plentie is contributing to the project based on her own experiences as someone who attended past events.

I’ll never forget when my friend and I saw a restored version of Patrik-Ian Polk’s Punks in 2016. I stumbled across it in a catalog and thought, ‘This looks like a really interesting gay Black film,’ and it completely changed my perspective. I was amazed and wondered how I’d never heard of it before.

Honestly, being in a room full of people – especially so many Black queer folks – and hearing everyone laugh and enjoy a movie that doesn’t get seen very often was amazing. It felt like a real rediscovery. This film has seriously impacted me, and I absolutely love it. It was just a really special experience.

Grace Barber-Plentie

This memory highlights something special about BFI Flare: a strong sense of community that remains even as the festival gets bigger. It transforms the BFI Southbank into more than just a cinema, hosting events like club nights and the popular Badge Café, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Everyone involved in organizing the festival shares the same passion for it as the attendees. As Barber-Plentie puts it, the team is truly enthusiastic and proud of the event, always being its biggest supporters.

People are genuinely enthusiastic about the festival. That energy is clear from the crowds, and everyone involved—from the staff to the volunteers—truly loves being a part of it.

The BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival will be held from March 18th to 29th, 2026, at BFI Southbank. This marks the festival’s 40th year.

The latest issue of Living Legends is now available, and this edition honors music legend Dolly Parton! You can purchase “Dolly at 80” at newsstands or online for only £8.99.

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2025-12-28 10:22