Since 2011, Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest rooted in London’s queer creative scene have showcased an eclectic mix of films, arts, and events celebrating LGBTIQA+ stories from around the world, welcoming everybody.It originally started as a community response to arts cuts carnage, and since then we’ve ‘expanded exponentially to become one of the most innovative and exciting festivals on the circuit.’
Fringe! hosts a multitude of diverse events in East London’s cinemas, art galleries, pop-up venues and basement clubs with the powerful, provocative, and strange. And if that is not enough (!) the Fest is run totally by volunteers and their events are either free or very affordable.
We asked QUEERGURU’s Team in London to recommend their must-see events …..here they are :
Cinema, reality, and fiction combined in this extremely well-crafted film, also photographed and written by Argentinian director Manuel Abramovich, with a screenplay in collaboration with Fernando Krapp and Pio Longo. Pornomelancholia is a compelling portrait of loneliness in the times of social media where there is no place for privacy. It is a coproduction from Argentina, Brazil, and France set in contemporary México acknowledging properly the Mexican culture.
Rotting in the Sun is a dark comedy-drama, co-written and directed by Sebastian Silva one of Queerguru’s favorite queer filmmakers (The Maid, Magic Magic, Crystal Fairy and the Magical Cactus), featuring himself and hot gay comedian/influencer Jordan Firstman, both of whom play themselves. It’s in part a queer version of a Larry David Curb Your Enthusiasm episode and in other ways reminiscent of a John Waters film. Rotting in the Sun is unique, sexy, laugh-out-funny, dark, and depressing at the same time.
Love Hub: My Heart Belongs to Daddy
Ever wanted to know how to pamper the ‘daddy’ in your life? Come and join this interactive, intergenerational workshop and learn how to give lavender footbaths; tummy, shoulder, and head rubs; and how to mix daddy the perfect mock-tail when they get home from a long day at the office.
‘Soft’ follows three genderqueer adolescents during their summer antics, during which their bonds are tested by a mysterious disappearance. Being young is already so difficult, particularly as adolescents reach an age where they long for independence but still require the guardianship (and guidance) of an adult. Finding a balance between the two can be challenging, sometimes resulting in a swing too far one way or the other. In Soft three best friends spread their wings over the summer.
Let a thousand queernesses bloom: Come and discuss how we can make queer spaces, services, and activism more Traveller friendly whilst learning to make traditional artificial flowers with Traveller Pride. All materials are provided and no prior skills are necessary
A meditation on queer loss, love, longing, and loneliness. These short films deal with absences, whether spiritual or physical, how our relationships with our parents (or many gendered ancestors) shape the ways we navigate our own lives, and how we forge and feed new connections.
for full reviews of over 1800 queer films check out www.queerguru.com and whilst you are there be sure to subscribe to get all the latest raves and rants on queer cinema …best of all its FREE
