Queer East is an annual Film Festival in London that showcases rarely seen LGBTQ+ cinema from East and Southeast Asia, echoing the city’s diverse voices. It’s a rare opportunity for queer audiences in the the UK to watch award-winning documentaries and short films, from emerging Asian filmmakers
This year forced to change plans Queer East has launched a digital series on Vimeo On Demand globally from 19th April to 17th May. They have 5 Programs with 17 films consisting of 2 documentaries and 15 short films from 9 countries
One of the docs is Hui-Chen Huang’s Small Talk (Taiwan), the winner of the prestigious Teddy Award for Best Documentary at 2017 Berlinale. Here’s a clip plus you can read Queerguru’s full review of the film HERE
Viewing page: https://queereast.co/talk
Also being screened is Mama Rainbow, by Chinese filmmaker and LGBTQ+ activist Popo Fan, features six mothers from across China, talking about being a parent to homosexual children in a largely conservative society. Through their love, they redefine what family bonds mean in contemporary China.
Viewing page: https://queereast.co/mama
The three curated shorts programmes are:
She / Her – a collection of six queer female stories told by women including The Summer of 12 (Taiwan), a teenage girl’s exploration on sexuality; Chromosome Sweetheart (Japan) explores love in all its diversity in an animation; and Momo (South Korea) captures the millennial relationship between love and loss.
Viewing page: https://queereast.co/she
Desiring Change – introducing five short films about characters bravely facing up to their true identities, showcasing Roommate (Vietnam), a refreshing take on modern loneliness through a banker’s surreal journey in a hotel; Bo & Mei (UK) takes on racial prejudice and gender identification in a Chinese immigrant family; and Geography Lessons (Philippines), an honest and heart-breaking portrayal of two young men and their intimate friendship.
Viewing page: https://queereast.co/change
Made in Taiwan – celebrating Taiwan’s rich tradition of LGBTQ+ filmmaking with four films about gay life and queer desire in Taiwan, including 100 Apples, Encore, Gentleman Spa and Tidal. This programme offers a unique snapshot of the island’s cultural landscape.
Viewing page: https://queereast.co/mit
Labels: 2020, film festival, online, Queer East
