
07/10/2025
The 69th BFI London Film Festival starts on Wednesday Oct. 8th. As is always the case, there are quite a few LGBT+ themed films that must sees, ones that might never be released in cinemas, so the film festival is a good place to catch them. Here are some highlights:
The History of Sound
Lionel (Paul Mescal) and David (Josh O’Connor) (above) meet at Boston Conservatory, where they bond over their love of American folk music. Years later, after David serves in the First World War, the pair reunite and travel across the U.S. to record their beloved music. It’s a journey that irrevocably changes their lives.This film is much anticipated.
Christy
Setting the boxing world alight as a teen, Christy Martin (Sydney Sweeney) found fame, fortune and iconic status as the most successful female boxer of the 1990s. But outside the ring, she was grappling with her s*xuality in the midst of her abusive relationship with her husband and trainer (Ben Foster).
Maspalomas
Vicente (José Ramón Soroiz) is 76 and living it up in Gran Canaria (LGBT+ gay destination place) after breaking up with the man he left his wife and daughter for. But after suffering a stroke, he finds himself in a care home, repressing his s*xuality and faced with his shortcomings as a parent and person.
She’s the He
It’s the final week of school and besties Alex (Nico Carney) and Ethan (Misa Osherovich) have come up with a plan to convince people that they’re not gay – pretending to come out as trans. As they commit to this hare-brained scheme, Ethan starts to realise that it might not be pretend after all. Directed and written by Siobhan McCarthy.
Twinless
After Roman’s (Dylan O’Brien) identical twin brother dies, he finds solace in a support group for bereaved twins. He meets Dennis, who is everything Roman is not – confident, gay and successfully processing his grief. A friendship quickly forms, but it soon becomes clear Dennis is keeping a secret.
F*cktoys
Sexworker AP (Annapurna Sriram) is freaking out. Psychics have predicted she has been cursed, and the only way out is to deliver one thousand dollars and slaughter a lamb. As she rides the streets of Trashtown, encountering violence, s*x and love, the spirit of John Waters never feels far away. But here, we’re treated to a staunchly female gaze. Camp, trashy, distasteful and thoroughly enjoyable, this is a cult classic in the making.
Enzo
A French coming of age film, Enzo (Eloy Pohu), a teenager from a wealthy family, dodges his class expectations by dropping out of school and apprenticing as a builder. Feeling out of place in the family’s elegant villa and disconnected from his peers, Enzo finds himself attracted to fellow builder Vlad, who is from Ukraine. Directed by Robin Campillo.
The Son and the Sea
A tender coming-of-age drama chronicling the lives of three very different young men, Stroma Cairns’ film is about an exploration of how loss, vulnerability and disability forge potent connections. Set in London and Northern Scotland, The Son and The Sea explores the intimacy between these men.
Peter Hujar’s Diary
This film, eagerly, awaiting, is the recreation of a conversation between American writer Linda Rosenkrantz (Rebecca Hall) and acclaimed gay photographer Peter Hujar (Ben Whishaw) in his New York apartment. Hujar recounts the previous 24 hours of his life, creating a snapshot of one of the most influential artists of the 1970s and 80s downtown New York art scene. Directed and written by Ira Sachs.
The Stranger
Meursault (Benjamin Voisin) learns about his mother’s passing. What follows is a series of events leading to a tragedy that questions the intentions and moral standing of the protagonist. Directed and written by LGBT+ favorite Francois Ozon.
100 Nights of Hero
Once upon a time in a fairytale kingdom, Cherry (Maika Monroe) is happily married to Jerome and living an idyllic life. But the couple have yet to conceive an heir. When Jerome absconds and his dashing friend Manfred arrives with dastardly intentions, Cherry’s troubles look set to worsen. But Hero (Emma Corrin), Cherry’s wily and loyal maid, who won’t let anything happen to her beloved mistress, and concocts a plan. Also with Nicholas Galitzine, Richard E. Grant and Felicity Jones.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Ex James Bond heartthrob Daniel Craig plays gay detective Benoit Blanc in the third film in the Knives Out trilogy. Now Benoit Blanc faces his toughest challenge yet – investigating a priest and a mysterious death as his church. Also with favorites Andrew Scott, Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Josh O’Connor, among others.
Pillion
Colin (Harry Melling) is a quiet, unassuming man with supportive parents whose world is rocked when he enters a dom-sub relationship with towering, attractive biker Ray (Alexander Skarsgård). Navigating his new role, he learns about its pleasures and pains, including those that come with love, and in the process understanding his own boundaries. The trailer and poster has the g**s panting (look it up, it’s on Youtube). Directed and written by Harry Lighton.
For more information about the festival and tickets, please go here:
https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/lff/Online/default.asp?menu_id=D90AD2E1-12B8-4B8D-97A2-DB9A5A4BC4A4
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