East to West LGBTQUIA+ cinema season

As we enter LGBTQ+ history month in February we’re showcasing queer stories from recent film history across our screens including a filmmaker Q&A to complete the season. Inspired by titles on tour from the Cinema Rediscovered 2024 festival strand Queer Cinema from the Eastern Bloc, we’ve programmed films from former Yugoslavia and East Germany in the late 80s to mid 90s, alongside contemporary and more modern British stories, truly making this season span East to West across Europe. Each screening will also include short films from both local and Eastern European filmmakers exploring LGBTQUIA+ stories.

We start things off with a Valentine’s Day screening of the 90s classic Beautiful Thing. Join us on Fri 14 Feb to enjoy Hettie MacDonald’s romantic London-based story of two teenagers falling in love to the soundtrack of Mama Cass. 

On Fri 21 Feb we’re showing our first film from Cinema Rediscovered: Coming Out. A Teddy Award-winning tale of an East German teacher who begins to question his sexuality after a reunion with a childhood friend, which brings back long-suppressed desires.

The next week on Fri 28 Feb we have Marble Ass also presented by Cinema Rediscovered. This tells the story of Merlinka, a trans sex worker in 90s Belgrade whose weapons aren’t guns and knives, but sex and love.

Finally, on Mon 3 Mar we’re very excited to announce a special Q&A screening of Layla with writer/director Amrou Al-Kadhi in discussion with WAC associate artist Adam Carver (aka Fatt Butcher). They’ll discuss their striking debut feature - a festival favourite that follows the story of a struggling Arab drag queen whose confident façade hides their desperate desire for love.