There is such an amazing selection of queer film festivals around the globe these days that our intrepid band of Queerguru reviewers do not get many days off. So far in 2025, its been Mardi Gras Sydney, Image + Nation Montreal, OUTshine Miami, Wicked Queer Boston, Queer Expressions Chicago, and the Berlinale. Plus London of course where there is enpugh demand and good queer cinema that as well as Flare the main queer film fest, we have ones that specialise in particular queer genres.  For example, in September, there will be the FRINGE! Queer Film & Arts Fest and right now we are in the middle of the 6th annual edition of QUEER EAST. Thie is a cross-disciplinary festival that showcases boundary-pushing LGBTQ+ cinema, live arts, and moving image work from East and Southeast Asia and its diaspora communities and its explores notions of what it means to be queer and Asian today.

The festival was established in response to the systemic lack of Asian representation on the big screen, onstage, and behind the scenes. Global events over the past few years have once again reminded us that fair and authentic racial and sexual representation is crucial for our society. The richness of Asian and queer heritage forms a vital part of this country’s identity. Through a diverse and forward-thinking programme, the festival aims to amplify the voices of Asian communities and challenge the conventional norms, labels, and stereotypes associated with queer Asian portrayals.

Working collaboratively with allies across the film, arts, and cultural sectors, we hope to join the forces bringing about change in screen culture and to enable an open space for everyone to explore the contemporary queer landscape across East and Southeast Asia.  Its a very packed diverse progran as usual which we have sciyred ri come of WIth QUEERGURU’S TOP PICKS OF MUST SEE FILMS 

One of Queer East strengths is its committment to curate programs of short films which literally cover a whole spectru of LGBTQA+ culture .  This year we were immediately attracted to a collection they put togther under the heading PUBLIC DISPLAY.   From public toilets to dingy cinemas, cruising has long tested the borders between being seen and hiding in the shadows. Pleasure and danger are intimately intertwined in this programme, where private fantasies are played out in the open. Blurring the lines between voyeurism and exhibitionism, porn actors, social media influencers, or those simply looking for a good time seek to fulfil their complex desires and fetishes..  My curiousity was awakened with To Pee or Not To Pee its the story of male urologist and his dentist husband used to be intimate. When a video interview makes them famous, they must question whether they truly accept each other and their secret fetish!

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