The biggest LGBTQ+ film festival in Europe since 1988, BFI Flare festival in London always features a stunning selection of queer cinema.

Taking place from 16th – 29th March, here’s a few 2017 highlights I’m currently deciding between…

LGBT advocate and actress Laverne Cox leads this documentary about the CeCe Mcdonald case, one which sparked protests around the world, and highlighted the dangers of trans women of colour held in male prisons.

This piece not only discusses the event which caused McDonald’s incarceration (when leaving a bar one night she and her friends were attacked by a racist and homophobic gang, this resulted in the stabbing of one of the gang as McDonald’s defended herself ) the documentary also features an insight into the trans experience in prison, whilst also featuring inspirational figures helping the trans movement.

Many forget that Pride began as a protest, and while it remains as a beacon of hope and inspiration of freedom and human rights, how has the movement developed? what does it mean in today’s society? and as aspects of queer culture become mainstream how are all aspects of the LGBTQ+ community catered for?

This UK documentary not only looks at the history of Pride events and what they mean in present times, but also look at how as London Pride becomes more popular, what offshoot events like Black Pride, Lesbian Strength and Queer Picnic mean for those it represents, with insightful commentary from the organisers themselves.

Camping outside a São Paulo concert venue in 2013, Beyoncé fans line the strret hoping to be first in line when gates open. Waiting For B provides fun and honest insight into the lives of the queer Brazilian kids who love Queen Bee.

Showing their lives on and off camp, this is a love letter to Brazil’s dedicated fandom, relationship with pop culture and Beyoncé, and the LGBTQ tales of those who camped. It has been featured and celebrated at countless film festivals across the globe.

A regular at Flare, director Xavier Dolan is back on the programme with a film described by BFI to be an “emotionally intense, visually lush melodrama”.

Terminally ill writer Louis returns home to inform his estranged family of his illness, a visit which proves to open old wounds and re-earth buried issues within the family unit.

The cast boasts the legendary Nathalie Baye, the incomparable Vincent Cassel, the outstanding Marion Cotillard, and Léa Seydoux, who many will remember from Blue is the Warmest Colour.

I am a huge fan of the director Park Chan-Wook, I adore his classic Vengance Trilogy featuring the famous Old Boy, as well as vampire horror Thirst.

This film has been on my radar for a while (in some ways maybe for the wrong reason) however I’m willing to give it a go and gain my own opinion, because if it’s like Park Chan-Wook’s other work it will be worth a watch.

Loosley based on Sarah Walter’s book ‘Fingersmith‘ the story is taken from Victorian London and set in 1930s Korea, in a tale about finding love in a dangerously complicated situation.

Filmmaker, DJ and activist Sandi Hughes will be sharing her personal video collection of black queer life in the UK from 1975 to 2005.

Tieing in with the 50 year anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality, this event will include presentations and films by Sandi herself, as well as showing contributions from BFI Flare alumni Evan Ifekoya and Hayley Reid.

If you missed this critically acclaimed piece in the cinema, BFI Flare extends that chance with 3 separate viewings.

Moonlight follows Chrion from child to man in a film about intimacy, connection and self-discovery,.

Featuring outstanding performances from Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali and Trevante Rhodes, Moonlight has won and been nominated for countless awards.

Full program and ticket information can be found over at the official BFI Flare Website. And here are all the specific links for the above films, presentations and documentaries listed: