London's groundbreaking BFI Flare LGBTQ+ film festival is preparing to celebrate a major milestone this spring: its 40th anniversary. The event, which has been a cornerstone of queer storytelling and representation for decades, will return to the capital from 18 to 29 March 2026.
A Pioneering Legacy in Queer Cinema
The festival's roots trace back to 1986, when it launched as the London Gay & Lesbian Film Festival at the National Film Theatre, now known as the BFI Southbank. This established London as one of the world's first cities to host a dedicated LGBTQ film festival, providing crucial visibility as queer narratives began gaining recognition at international festivals.
It followed the trail blazed by San Francisco's Frameline, founded in 1976, and preceded New York's NewFest, which started in 1988. For four decades, the event has been a vital platform for LGBTQ+ voices, showcasing contemporary films from across the globe alongside a vibrant programme of filmmaker Q&As, workshops, club nights, and social mixers.
What to Expect from the 40th Edition
The full programme for the landmark edition will be unveiled on 17 February 2026. While the line-up remains under wraps, the festival traditionally features exclusive world premieres of both feature-length and short films.
Reflecting on the 2025 edition offers a taste of the festival's eclectic curation. Highlights included the thriller Night Stage, the screen adaptation of Deborah Levy's novel Hot Milk starring Emma Mackey, and A Night Like This, featuring Harry Potter actor David Bradley.
In a significant outreach effort, the festival will also present five films for free on the BFI Player. This selection focuses on work from nations "where freedom and equal rights are limited." Last year's free online programme attracted over three million viewers, featuring films from New Zealand, the USA, China, and the UK.
Call for Entries: Submit Your Film Now
Submissions for BFI Flare 2026 are currently open, offering filmmakers a chance to be part of this historic event. The festival is accepting entries in several categories:
- UK and international short films (25 minutes or less)
- UK and international mid-length films (26 to 50 minutes)
- UK and international feature films (more than 51 minutes)
Aspiring participants must act quickly, as the deadline for all submissions is 5 December. Full details on how to enter can be found on the official BFI website.
As it enters its fifth decade, BFI Flare continues to be an indispensable beacon for LGBTQ+ cinema, celebrating its past while fiercely championing the future of queer storytelling on screen.
