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Flare · 2026

Flare 2026

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10 films · 3 reviews

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Barbara Forever

Review preview for Barbara Forever

What emerges over the course of O’Connor’s feature is not a saintly monument but a vibrant, difficult, funny, and unsentimental person.

Edin Custo · 4 out of 5
An archive-driven exploration of the life, work, and legacy of iconic, pioneering lesbian filmmaker Barbara Hammer.

(Country: US; Year: 2026; Director: Brydie O'Connor)

Full review See: Brydie O’Connor on Barbara Forever, queer wisdom and bringing Barbara Hammer to younger audiences

Beyond The Fire: The Life Of Japan's First Pride Parade Pioneer

Born in 1931, Teishiro Minami launched Japan’s first commercial gay magazine, coordinated a queer helpline and organised the nation’s first Pride parade in 1994. Minami and friends reflect on the complicated relationships and inter-community clashes that paved the way for today’s movement.

(Country: Japan, Sweden; Year: 2025; Director: Hiroaki Matsuoka; Stars: Teishiro Minami)

Death And Life Madalena

The heavily pregnant Madalena’s legendary producer father recently died and the director of his final sci-fi epic has fled from the shoot. Nothing if not stoic, Madalena is deadly serious about cinema and steps in to steer the production.

(Country: Brazil; Year: 2025; Director: Guto Parente; Stars: Noá Bonoba, Tavinho Teixeira, Nataly Rocha)

Julian

Fleur and Julian fall madly in love and decide to get married in all countries where they, as two women, are allowed to do so. After only four marriages, their journey comes to a painful and unexpected halt.

(Country: Belgium, Netherlands; Year: 2025; Director: Cato Kusters; Writer: Cato Kusters, Fleur Pierets, Angelo Tijssens; Stars: Nina Meurisse, Laurence Roothooft)

The Last Guest Of The Holloway Motel

Once-star British footballer Tony Powell begins to reconcile the life he’s made for himself as the lonesome manager of a now-shuttering Hollywood motel with the one he forsake decades ago.

(Country: UK, US; Year: 2025; Director: Nicholas Freeman, Ramiel Petros)

Out Laws

Review preview for Out Laws

Does an important job in putting these pieces together and in documenting their meaning at this point in history.

Jennie Kermode · 4 out of 5
A documentary following one gay Namibian man's battle to stand up for the rights of same-sex couples.

(Country: UK, Namibia; Year: 2025; Director: Lexi Powner, James Lewis; Writer: James Lewis; Stars: Friedel Dausab, Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, Raven Gill)

Full review See: Interview with Lexi Powner, Friedel Dausab, Rosanna Flamer-Caldera and James Lewis about Out Laws

To Dance Is To Resist

Two Ukrainian dancers seek life and artistic freedom following Russia’s invasion of their country.

(Country: Ukraine, Germany; Year: 2026; Director: Julian Lautenbacher; Writer: Julian Lautenbacher, Nadiia Khatymlianska, Sasha Ongley)

Uchronia: Parallel Histories Of Queer Revolt

A cinematic essay exploring revolutionary politics, queer history and art.

(Country: Greece, Netherlands; Year: 2026; Director: Fil Ieropoulos; Writer: Foivos Douses; Stars: Kristof, Marlo Mortimer, Eve Libertine)

What Will I Become?

Review preview for What Will I Become?

It does not explain trans pain from the outside. It sits with it, listens to it, and tries to make room for it without exploiting it.

Edin Custo · 4.5 out of 5
Kyler Prescott and Blake Brockington were just two high-profile examples of approximately 50% of trans boys in the US who did not survive a suicide attempt. This film highlights the importance of combating prejudice and prioritising prevention among trans youth.

(Country: US; Year: 2026; Director: Lexie Bean, Logan Rozos; Writer: Lexie Bean, Logan Rozos, Miles Château Hill)

Full review See: Interview with Logan Rozos and Lexie Bean about What Will I Become?

Whisperings Of The Moon

The story of an actor returning to Cambodia following a bereavement and reconnecting with her ex-lover.

(Country: Hong Kong, India, Cambodia; Year: 2025; Director: Lai Yuqing; Writer: Lai Yuqing, Xinyi Cao, Jatla Siddartha; Stars: Sopheanith Thong, Deka Nine, Monita Keo)