Global LGBTQ+ film festivals launch new programs and editions

Various international LGBTQ+ film festivals are launching new programs and editions, highlighting a growing presence of queer narratives in global cinema.

In Chicago, Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival is opening with the film ‘La Bola Negra’. Organizers noted a ‘sea change’ in the industry, as major distributors are increasingly willing to bring high-profile queer stories to specialized festivals.

The Scottish Queer International Film Festival (SQIFF) 2026 features a diverse program of 27 events, including over 100 short films and six features, exploring themes ranging from experimental filmmaking to documentary and horror.

In Canada, the 41st Reel Pride Film Festival is returning to Winnipeg with the theme ‘Reveal Your True Colours’. The festival, the oldest of its kind in the country, will screen nine films from around the world, including works from Japan and Spain.

Additionally, the SEA-Nordic Film Festival is set to take place at Seattle’s National Nordic Museum, tracing nearly a century of queer representation in Nordic cinema through screenings, scholarly introductions, and collaborative art projects.