Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Beginning life as Gays' Own Pictures in 1986, over four decades BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival has evolved with its audience, encompassing the multifaceted nature of queer cinema and bringing a springtime celebration of LGBTIQA+ film to London's Southbank.

To celebrate the festival's 40th attendees, filmmakers and festival programmers - current and former - chart BFI Flare's history, explaining what makes queer cinema culturally and politically important and celebrating the screenings, events, Q&As, parties and people that make up BFI Flare.

The 40th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival takes place 18-29 March at BFI Southbank. bfi.org.uk/flare

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