BFI Flare 2020 programme announced

The 34th edition of BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival, one of the world’s most significant and long-standing LGBTQ+ film events, has unveiled its full programme for this year’s festival, which run from March 18–29 at BFI Southbank, London.

BFI Flare will present more than 50 features, 85 shorts and a wide range of special events, guest appearances, family-friendly and free events, club nights and more.

The Festival will open with the world premiere of Matt Fifer and Kieran Mulcare’s feature debut Cicada, about a young man forced to face past traumas when he embarks on a new relationship. The Closing Night Gala is the UK premiere of acclaimed theatre director Jessica Swale’s Summerland, a moving Second World War drama about a woman rediscovering her ability to love, starring Gemma Arterton and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

Michael Blyth, BFI Flare’s Senior Programmer says: “This year’s Festival feels more relevant than ever with filmmakers reflecting moving, urgent stories about LGBTQ+ lives. We are privileged to share such a wide range of films from around the world that will entertain, provoke, perhaps most importantly, help us better understand ourselves and each other.”

Tricia Tuttle, BFI Festivals Director, added: “As ever, the programmers have pulled together a truly international selection of films exploring LGBTIQ+ themes, but we’re heartened to see just how much strength in depth there is in work coming out of the UK. British features really shine in this globe-spanning programme.”

Tickets go on sale via www.bfi.org.uk/flare to the general public on February 27. To see the full programme, visit the website.