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Nicosia's vibrant heart is again set to pulse with creativity, diversity, and cinematic brilliance as the 5th Cyprus LGBTQ+ Film Festival returns from 20-29 September. Hosted at the renowned NiMAC - Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre, in collaboration with the Pierides Foundation, this year's festival promises a rich, immersive experience, marking its fifth consecutive year of celebrating queer stories and filmmakers.
For ten days, the festival will transform NiMAC into a beacon for cinephiles, with 20 screenings and over 50 premieres of short and feature films. Among the 60 films selected, audiences can look forward to a curated lineup that has already made waves at prestigious festivals like Venice, Berlin, Locarno, Rotterdam, Sundance, and Clermont-Ferrand. Each film has been chosen not just for its artistic merit, but for its ability to inspire, challenge, and celebrate the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ life.
Cyprus’ very own filmmakers will also take center stage, with six short films from local directors adding a homegrown flavor to the festival. These films will resonate with the island’s unique queer experience, offering fresh perspectives and deep connections. Alongside the screenings, Queer Wave has crafted a series of side events that are sure to ignite conversation and creativity, featuring local artists from both sides of the island's Green Line. Audiences can expect dynamic performances, from experimental video art to vibrant drag shows, DJ sets, and live music, making the festival a true celebration of queer culture in all its forms.
This year, the festival expands its horizons even further by introducing workshops and short lectures led by filmmakers and industry professionals from Poland, France, and Greece. These sessions will provide an intimate look into the craft of filmmaking, offering valuable insights and fostering dialogue between international and local creators.
One of the most compelling aspects of the 2024 edition is its focus on queer memory. Films in this year’s program will explore the role of cinema in documenting personal experiences and preserving the collective histories of the LGBTQ+ community. Through a mix of landmark films, boundary-pushing fiction, documentaries, and hybrid forms, the festival will highlight the power of cinema to rewrite history and archive the nuances of queer life.
Further anchoring this theme, the festival will launch an exhibition on 20 September titled "nono bad timing! archiving queer times and spaces". This thought-provoking exhibition will delve deeper into the process of documenting queer history in Cyprus, encouraging a more structured approach to recording the island’s LGBTQ+ past, present, and future.
As always, Queer Wave promises to be an event that entertains, educates, and elevates. With tickets already on sale and the full program soon to be available on queerwave.com, this year’s festival is set to be a landmark occasion for queer cinema and culture in Cyprus.
Whether you're a passionate cinephile, a supporter of queer arts, or simply someone seeking to be inspired, the 5th Cyprus LGBTQ+ Film Festival is a celebration you won’t want to miss.
For more information, tickets, and updates, follow @queerwavecyprus on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X.
