BFI Flare: LGBT films and events

Enjoy classics or contemporary work in our dedicated LGBT slot.

During the 2013 edition of the BFI London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival we campaigned to garner your views on the much-debated Festival name. Was it inclusive enough to represent the diversity of the programme and the range of people who identify with and embrace it? The majority of voices indicated it was time to change. We are now very proud to be launching our response. BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival. Connoting the light of a cinema projector and also a beacon, ‘Flare’ suggests the spark of an idea, moving forward and growing outward. It is inclusive and welcoming to all audiences. BFI Flare not only shines a light on our LGBT programming for the Festival, it will now encompass our regular BFI Southbank programming (formerly Out at the Pictures), as well as a new channel on the BFI Player.

For more from BFI Flare, visit bfi.org.uk/flare

2016: BFI Flare turns 30

In 1986, the National Film Theatre ran a short season of nine LGBT films called ‘Gay’s Own Pictures.’ Now, 30 years later and with a couple of name changes along the way, BFI Flare has grown into one of the world’s most significant LGBT film festivals. To celebrate our forthcoming anniversary edition this March, we’re looking back at some of the defining films to have screened over the festival’s vibrant history. Up first: two classics of New Queer Cinema: Poison (1991) and The Watermelon Woman (1996). In February, we revisit two classic love stories from the 90s – in time for Valentine’s!