Five films to look forward to at BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival 2020

BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival returns this month, with a blistering line-up of the world’s finest queer films.

Each year, the annual 10-day festival – running from March 18 to 29 – showcases some of the best LGBTQ feature length films including the world premiere of Matt Fifer and Kieran Mulcare’s drama Cicada, Sam Feder’s documentary on transgender representation on TV and Jessica Swale’s feature debut Summerland.

The festival will also feature old and new directors showing the world their talent, and this year will not leave you disappointed.

You can check out the full programme and buy tickets here.

Ahead of the festival launch on March 18, three of the event’s lead programmers picked their favourites for Attitude.

Michael Blyth – the senior programmer for BFI Flare – has picked five of the many films featured this year that he is looking forward to seeing.

Brian Robson and Zorian Clayton have also picked their favourites.

MOFFIE – Directed by Oliver Hermanus

After being drafted for compulsory military service, a young South African man is forced to keep his feelings for a fellow recruit secret at all costs.

Confronting issues around racism and homophobia head on, Oliver Hermanus’ extraordinary Apartheid-era drama is by no means an easy watch, but it is an unforgettable one.

PRIDE & PROTEST – Directed by Blaise Singh

A fascinating documentary which follows several black and minority ethnic activists in their day-to-day lives as they confront and interrogate prejudice in contemporary British culture.

Guaranteed to be a starting point for some much-needed debate, this is a timely examination and celebration of QTIPOC communities in the UK.

CICADA – Directed by Matthew Fifer

 

The opening-night film at this year’s festival tells the story of a blossoming relationship between two men in New York.

But as their feelings develop, each are forced to confront traumas in their pasts. A deeply heartfelt and moving piece of work that sensitively deals with some difficult themes, and signals the arrival of a thrilling new queer filmmaking voice.

It’s set to be one of the year’s best.

MONSOON – Directed by Hong Khaou

Henry Golding stars in Hong Khaou’s exquisite study of cultural displacement, in which a man returns to Vietnam for the first time since his family fled the country when he was six years old.

Khaou opened BFI Flare in 2014 with his gorgeous debut Lilting, and Monsoon continues to prove that he is one of the most thoughtful and distinctive queer filmmakers around today.

SPIRAL – Directed by Kurtis David

 

Harder For those who appreciate the darker side of cinema, this chilling nail-biter is especially for you.

When a gay couple relocate to a small suburban town, they slowly begin to realise that the neighbours are not quite as friendly as they first appeared.

Like a gay riff on Get Out, this is smart and scary horror filmmaking with a keen social conscience.

Tickets are available now. Those who are 25 and under will be able to buy tickets on the door for just £3.

BFI Flare runs from March 18 to 29 at BFI Southbank and visit here for full details and ticketing information.

Watch the trailer for the festival below: