Launched in September 2023, One Fluid Night (OFN) is a unique film event that combines a selection of short films screening in competition, along with the talents of singers, dancers and cabaret performers, altogether championing the many facets of life, love, resilience and identity via the lens of international LGBTQIA+ cinema.

After one year as a successful bi-monthly night at Genesis Cinema in east London, it’s time for OFN to evolve to the next level and become OFN LGBTQIA+ FILM FESTIVAL: a full weekend celebration of queer cinema, and now with the capacity to show feature films and documentaries as well as shorts. Running 15 – 17 November, this extended 5th edition is also moving to the heart of queer London, because for the first time OFN will take place throughout Soho, with film screenings at Curzon Soho and the Courthouse Hotel Cinema, plus after-parties at venues including Louche Soho and The Yard.

Altogether, 11 features and 113 shorts by and for the LGBTQIA+ community will be screened in cinema and/or online. A truly international selection, the programme represents LGBTQIA+ stories from 34 countries. 

OPENING GALA FEATURE: WHAT A FEELING (dir: Kat Roher, Austria)

Marie Theres, a successful doctor, had special plans for her 20th wedding anniversary – but her husband has other plans and breaks up with her that evening. As a result of this unpleasant turn-of-events, Marie Theres goes for a drink, stumbles into Bigi‘s queer bar and meets Fa. Fun-loving and spontaneous, Fa takes Marie Theres home after a boozy evening. As their worlds collide, feelings emerge but nothing is simple. A heartfelt and clever romantic comedy about two middle aged women who refuse to be pushed to the sidelines of life.

Opening Gala short: Embrasse-moi (dir: Hristo Todorov, France).

FEATURE SELECTION 

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.

LIUBEN (dir: Venci Kostov, Bulgaria/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.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES (all screening online)

FABULOUS FEMININITIES (dir: Jonothon Lees, UK). Challenging misconceptions surrounding burlesque and showcasing its empowering nature as a celebration of body positivity, creativity, and self-expression, this captivating documentary offers a glimpse into the lives of six burlesque performers from across the UK.

WARM FILM (dir: Dragon Jovicevic, Serbia). UK Premiere. An award nominee at Beldocs and Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival, this doc sees two young actors receive an offer to star in a movie with homosexual love scenes. Torn between the desire of become famous and the fear of being labelled, they begin to explore how LGBTI people were portrayed throughout the history of Yugoslav cinema.

BREAKING TABOOS WITH LOVE (dir: Akshay N Rao, India). UK Premiere. A poignant and empowering documentary following the journey of Gourav and Kahran as they embark on a mission to challenge societal norms through their love story. Same-sex marriage is not yet legally acknowledged in India – but this film, set against the backdrop of a ‘Great Indian Wedding’, sees their friends and family gather from far and wide to support them. Their story emerges as a beacon of hope, illustrating what it truly means to love fearlessly and challenge conventions. 

WHAT WAS YOUR PREVIOUS NAME? (dir: Iban Pàmies, Toni Torbellino, Belén López, Spain). UK Premiere. Placing identity as a common need in the human experience, this documentary shows the lives of trans people and their day-to-day experiences. With a great sense of humour, they explain what their transition process has been like and what obstacles and barriers they have encountered. 

TENS ACROSS THE BOARD (dir: Bobby “Broady” Best, USA). UK Premiere. Ballroom culture has become a global phenomenon, championed by black and brown LGBTQ artists in dance, music, and fashion. Featuring masterful voguers and a pulsating soundtrack, this documentary takes an in-depth look at the lives of those in the St. Louis ballroom community and the performers of the TENS Experience, spearheaded by Maven Logik Lee. 

THE FLAG (dir: Miha Mohorič, Slovenia). UK Premiere. Informed by the colours that make up the rainbow flag, this film intimately explores the lives of eight individuals from the LGBTQ+ community in Ljubljana, Slovenia, each bringing their unique perspective and experience to the forefront. From personal tales of struggle and acceptance to moments of triumph and celebration, the film reflects on the global significance of the rainbow flag as a symbol of pride, solidarity and resistance.

SHORTS PROGRAMMES

JOURNEYS, HEARTBEAT V1, MIX BITS, ETHEREAL, CROSSING THE EDGE, ANIMATION, HEARTBEAT V2 – see website for full details of the shorts.

PARTIES, ENTERTAINMENT & AWARDS CEREMONY

OFN’s red-carpet, glamour-themed premiere launch party kicks off with the mesmerising Andromeda, whose androgynous performance will launch us into the weekend. The night continues with a live musical extravaganza inspired by icons at the luscious Louche Soho on Greek Street, featuring the incredible stars of the West End stage, Emyr and Bryony. 

Saturday’s after-party will be hosted by the fabulous Dramala Tina, with Jesus RedSoul spinning the decks at The Yard. 

On Sunday, the weekend reaches its peak with the highly anticipated OFN Awards Ceremony at the Courthouse Hotel: a private guestlist-only event presenting more accolades than any other LGBTQIA+ festival in Europe. This exclusive event will spotlight 18 prestigious awards, accompanied by show-stopping performances from the OFN family, and hosted by the festival’s weekend hostess, the delightful Debbie Del Rey, making it an unforgettable evening of celebration and talent.

For more information and to book tickets: https://www.onefluidnight.com