The 38th edition of the BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival is set to take place from 13th to 24th March at BFI Southbank and on BFI Player. Excitement is building as the festival announces its highly anticipated Opening Night Gala and Closing Night Gala films. This year, the festival showcases the European Premiere of “LAYLA” as the Opening Night Gala, and the World Premiere of “LADY LIKE” as the Closing Night Gala.
LAYLA: A Confident Debut Feature
Amrou Al-Kadhi’s debut feature, “LAYLA,” recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and now makes its European premiere at BFI Flare. The film tells the deeply personal and engaging story of Layla, a struggling Arab drag queen. Layla’s confident facade hides their desperate desire for love. When Layla’s performance at a corporate Pride event catches the eye of marketing executive Max, an intoxicating romance ensues. However, as Layla begins to alter their identity to keep Max’s interest, both Layla and Max confront uncomfortable truths.
Starring Bilal Hasna in the titular role, “LAYLA” is a testament to the creative resilience of the queer community. It explores themes of identity, love, and the power of drag in a world that often misunderstands it. Don’t miss the European Premiere of this remarkable film on 13th March at BFI Southbank.
LADY LIKE: A Journey to Success
The Closing Night Gala on 23rd March features the World Premiere of “LADY LIKE,” a docu-fiction that follows the captivating journey of London-born, San Francisco-based drag queen Lady Camden, also known as Rex Wheeler. Lady Camden rises to fame as a finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14, but struggles to manage the demands of international fame. Meanwhile, Rex is forced to confront the troubled childhood he left behind in Camden, which drove him to seek joy, fantasy, and escape through the performing arts.
Directed and produced by Luke Willis, “LADY LIKE” is an intimate portrait of resilience, self-discovery, and the pursuit of happiness. Experience the rags to riches origin story of Lady Camden as the film takes you on a global journey that ultimately leads back to London. Be among the first to witness the World Premiere of this inspiring film at BFI Southbank.
A Celebration of Home-Grown Talent
The BFI Flare 2024 Programming team, consisting of Grace Barber-Plentie, Jay Bernard, Diana Cipriano, Zorian Clayton, Rhianna Ilube, Darren Jones, Wema Mumma, and Brian Robinson, are thrilled to bookend the festival with home-grown talent. The Opening Night film, “LAYLA,” brings drag queen and filmmaker Amrou Al-Kadhi back to the festival where their career took off. The Closing Night film, “LADY LIKE,” highlights the inspiring journey of RuPaul’s Drag Race finalist, Lady Camden. Both films showcase the power of drag and its impact on the queer community.
The BFI Flare Programmers express their excitement, stating, “These films are reminders of the power of drag in a world that deliberately misunderstands it in order to persecute the queer community.” It’s a testament to the festival’s commitment to showcasing diverse films, filmmakers, and audiences.
Behind the Scenes: The Filmmakers and Producers
Amrou Al-Kadhi, director of “LAYLA,” expresses their profound honor and joy in opening BFI Flare. Al-Kadhi credits BFI Flare for being instrumental in their career, having participated in the BFI Flare x BAFTA mentorship program. The film was developed and financed by Film4 and the BFI Filmmaking Fund, with executive producers including Farhana Bhula, Louise Ortega, Nina Yang Bongiovi, Forest Whitaker, Kevin M. Lin, Michael Y. Chow, and Mary Burke.
Luke Willis, director of “LADY LIKE,” shares his excitement about premiering the film at BFI Flare. Willis previously showcased his work at the festival with films like “Pool Boy” and “The Summer House.” Alongside Willis, Cookie Walukas produced the film, known for her work on “Saleh and the Spades” and “Black is King.”
These talented filmmakers and producers have poured their passion into creating thought-provoking and inspiring films that will captivate audiences at BFI Flare.
The BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 2024 promises to be a celebration of queer cinema at its finest. The Opening Night Gala, featuring the European Premiere of “LAYLA,” and the Closing Night Gala, presenting the World Premiere of “LADY LIKE,” offer audiences the opportunity to immerse themselves in the captivating stories of drag queens navigating love, identity, and fame.
With an impressive lineup of films yet to be unveiled, BFI Flare 2024 will undoubtedly showcase the breadth and depth of queer storytelling. Don’t miss this incredible festival that continues to champion the voices and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community.
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