The vibrant and diverse world of international LGBTQIA+ cinema is set to take centre stage as One Fluid Night (OFN) evolves into a full weekend film festival, celebrating its 5th edition with expanded offerings and a new home in the heart of queer London.
What began in September 2023 at Genesis Cinema in east London as a bi-monthly event showcasing short films has now blossomed into the OFN LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, a grand celebration of queer storytelling and creativity.
Scheduled for 15th to 17th November, this year’s festival will be hosted throughout Soho, with film screenings at the prestigious Curzon Soho and Courthouse Hotel Cinema. Film enthusiasts and festival-goers can look forward to after-parties at iconic venues such as Louche Soho, The Yard, and Soho Theatre. The festival’s expansion allows for the inclusion of feature-length films and documentaries alongside its already robust selection of short films, making it a comprehensive celebration of LGBTQIA+ cinema.
The 5th edition of OFN is set to screen an impressive 12 feature films and a staggering 113 short films, representing stories from 34 countries. This diverse programme underscores the festival’s commitment to showcasing high-quality content from around the world, giving international queer filmmakers a vital platform to share their work.
Central to the festival is its renowned awards system, which this year will honour filmmakers with the highest number of awards for LGBTQIA+ stories in Europe, across 18 categories. Judging these entries is an esteemed international panel, including industry luminaries such as Anca Vaida, Branko Tomovic, Chance Sion-Raize Calloway, Daisy Friedman, David Martinez, and Pradeep Mahadeshwar.
OFN founder and festival director Lex Melony shared his vision for the festival’s future, saying, “It’s vital that London audiences experience diverse, high-quality content from around the world, whilst also giving international queer filmmakers a platform to showcase their work. My ultimate goal is to build a platform – an inclusive rainbow umbrella – where One Fluid Night becomes a universe that connects, unites, and promotes all spectrums of creativity. Let’s keep building our OFN community together!”
The festival will open with the gala feature “What a Feeling,” directed by Kat Roher from Austria. This heartwarming romantic comedy follows Marie Theres, a successful doctor whose plans for her 20th wedding anniversary take an unexpected turn when her husband breaks up with her. A chance encounter at Bigi’s queer bar introduces her to Fa, leading to a night that challenges and changes them both. The film beautifully explores the complexities of love and identity, offering a poignant reminder that life’s sidelines are not for everyone.
With its expanded format and exciting line-up, the OFN LGBTQIA+ Film Festival promises to be a must-attend event for film enthusiasts and anyone interested in the power of cinema to reflect and celebrate the rich tapestry of human experience. As the festival opens its doors in Soho, it invites audiences to immerse themselves in a world of stories that are as diverse and dynamic as the community they represent.
Here’s the list of feature selections:
SUNFLOWER (dir: Gabriel Carrubba, Australia). English Premiere. Nominated for Best International Feature jury prize at Rio Festival de Cinema LGBTQIA+, it’s the story of a 17-year-old boy struggling to understand and embrace his sexuality as he comes of age in Melbourne’s working-class suburbs.
DRIP LIKE COFFEE (dir: Anaiis Cisco, USA) + director Q&A. European Premiere. An unexpected romance evolves between two Brooklyn baristas, Kali and budding photographer Mel. As love struggles to find a place in their complicated lives, they embark on a journey of self-discovery. With the help of friends and loved ones, they navigate the ups and downs of their relationship and discover the transformative power of love.
LIUBEN (dir: Venci Kostov, Bugaria/Spain). Winner of the Pink Dragon Jury Award at Ljubljana LGBT Film Festival, it’s the story of a summer romance between two boys from different worlds, set in a Bulgarian mountain village where prejudice simmers. Victor leaves his nice life in Madrid with his partner José, returning to his childhood home for his grandfather’s funeral. Deciding to stay for the summer to reconnect with his father and the village way of life, he unexpectedly finds love with an 18-year-old Roma boy.
THIS TIME (dir: Robert Vaughn, Canada). Acclaimed at festivals including Whistler, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, this roadtrip movie follows a closeted teen who inherits her estranged father’s journal, revealing cryptic clues that uncover his secret life. To fulfil her father’s dying wish, she blackmails an alcoholic hearse driver to race her to Los Angeles to attempt a rendezvous with her father’s supposed friend, Liza Minnelli. Online screening.
PADRES (dir: Benjamin Lopez, Puerto Rico). European Premiere. When Virginia donates her eggs to her twin brother David and his partner Bruno so they can become parents, she hides this from her husband Miguel. After the birth of the baby, Virginia and Bruno die in a tragic accident – so David and Miguel must join together to protect the young boy. This comedy shows how love can do everything, highlighting the true meaning of what it is to be family. Online screening.
See the curated selection of stories rarely seen in mainstream cinemas – plan at the One Fluid Night website