From the 13th to the 24th of March, the BFI will take over London’s Southbank for its 38th edition of BFI Flare, one of the world’s most significant and long-standing film events in the LGBTQIA+ calendar. The event will take place at BFI Southbank, which, alongside packed screenings, will be buzzing with special events and DJ nights during the festival. A selection of titles will be available to UK-wide audiences on BFI Player and to international audiences online via Five Films for Freedom – now celebrating its 10th year, in partnership with The British Council.

Divided into three thematic programme strands — HEARTS, BODIES, and MINDS — this year’s event presents 33 world premieres across features and shorts, with 57 features and 81 shorts from 41 countries. Kicking off the event on a big note, 2024’s BFI Flare will be inaugurated with the European premiere of LAYLA, Amrou Al-Kadhi’s stunning debut feature, which recently had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Deeply personal and engaging, starring screen star of Tomorrow, Bilal Hasna, in the titular role, LAYLA tells the story of a struggling Arab drag queen whose confident façade hides their desperate desire for love.

On the 15th, the Southbank will also host the European Premiere of the moving drama Close to You, directed by Dominic Savage and based on a story by Savage and Elliot Page. The event also welcomes Page onstage for a Screen Talk to discuss his remarkable career.

BFI Flare will also screen four of the best queer films from the past 12 months, including Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren’s 20,000 Species Of Bees, Andrew Haigh’s BAFTA-nominated All Of Us Strangers, the tongue-in-cheek Bottoms, and George C Wolfe’s Rustin.

Check the full program here…