Our Story
Queer East 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. Our sixth edition runs from 23 April to 18 May 2025 in venues across London, exploring 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.
Team
Core
Founder & Director
- Yi Wang
Short Film Programme Coordinator
- Emily Jisoo Bowles
Festival Assistants
- Ellisha Izumi von Grunewald
- Penney Chu
- Harry Robinson
Festival
Guest Curators and Programmers
- Aileen Ye
- Aki Hassan
- april forrest lin 林森
- Bart Seng Wen Long
- Cici Peng
- CiEn Heong
- Giulia Casalini
- Heejo Kang
- 水哨 Shuǐ Shào (If Splash as your Whistle)
- Indigo Korres
- Jeng Au
- Misha Zakharov
- Queer China UK
- Sarah Chew
- Wingshan
- Xuanlin Tham
- Yin Lo
PR
- Alternate Current
- The Sugar Factory
Graphic Design
- Standard Format
Copy Editor (Feature Films)
- Christopher Brown
Festival Intern
- Aoife Kanowski
Festival Trailer (Editing)
- Joe Lee 李曜辰
Up Next: Future Film Curators Lab 2024/25 Participants
- Alisa Ikenaga
- Arshootti
- Chia-Chieh Liu
- David Bakum
- Gareth Mattey
- Leah Lapautre
- Lu Etienne
- Vee Dagger
- Xinyi Wang
FAQ
Plan your experience with essential information on screenings, performances, workshops, locations, ticketing, and accessibility support for all audiences.
When and where is Queer East 2026?
Queer East Festival 2026 runs 1 May – 6 June 2026 across London (Barbican, BFI Southbank, Rich Mix, ICA, Centre 151, Museum of the Home and others) and partner venues nationally.
How do I buy tickets?
Tickets are sold by each venue. From an event page, the "Book" link takes you to the venue’s box office. Pay-what-you-can and free entry events are clearly badged on the event card.
I’m an artist / programmer / writer — how can I work with you?
We open submissions for each year’s festival in early autumn. Curatorial Lab and Emerging Critics applications are announced via our newsletter. For partnership enquiries, get in touch at info@queereast.org.uk.
How is Queer East funded?
Queer East is a registered charity supported by Arts Council England, the BFI through National Lottery funds, ticket revenue, donations and partnerships.
Accessibility
We are committed to accessible programming. Most screenings include subtitles; many include BSL-interpreted Q&As. Wheelchair access varies by venue. If you need access support to attend, write to us in advance.
Can I volunteer at the festival?
Yes! We always value a little extra help. Keep an eye out on our news pages for the latest annoucements.
Do you offer internships or placements?
Unfortunately we do not currently take on interns or offer placements, although, we do regularly post listings of upcoming opportunities.
Who curates the festival programme?
Each festival features a variety of new and returning curators, you can find this information on the event pages.
Contact
Keep up to date with our social profiles and find out how to contact us for any enquiries
Address
- Queer East
- Somerset House Exchange
- Strand
- London
- WC2R 1LA
General
Press & Media
Submissions
Accessibility
Follow
- Letterboxed
- BlueSky