For a country of its size, Iceland boasts quite a few film festivals, perhaps even the highest number of film festivals per capita. A brand-new festival, the Icelandic Queer Film Festival, is about to launch at Bíó Paradís, running from September 4-7.
The programme includes documentaries, feature films, and short films, combining both new releases and curated classics.
Bíó Paradís is known for screening a diverse range of films, but during this festival, queer stories will take centre stage.
Additional short films have been added to the programme following MP Snorri Másson’s transphobic comments, which sparked a strong public reaction. The reaction proves the importance of hosting festivals like this one.
“Queer Film Festivals are commonplace worldwide. However, it’s been 11 years since there last was a film festival in Iceland dedicated to queer cinema so we thought it was a timely project,” says festival organiser Charlotta Rós Sigmundsdóttir. “The main reasons being twofold, firstly the production of queer-themed material has never been greater however most of it never reaches the big screen. We wanted to curate a programme that showcases interesting, thoughtful and high-quality films that would otherwise not get a theatrical release.”
Charlotta continues, “Secondly, the state of the world,” she says.
“There is a definite backlash against queer people, especially trans people. We have an empathy problem, and we believe that film as a medium has a unique ability to encourage empathy and conversations. You literally see the world from a different angle.”
What to see?
Together with Charlotta, we selected a few picks we recommend you check out at the festival.
Four Mothers, the festival’s opening film, tells the story of a struggling novelist who is taking care of four eccentric older women, including his own mother, over the course of one chaotic weekend in Dublin. According to Charlotta, the film is “a heartfelt and darkly funny story about family, love, and the pull between responsibility and freedom.”
Sauna follows Johan, a gay man who indulges in the Copenhagen nightlife, until he meets William, a transgender man. As the title suggests, there will be steamy sauna scenes.
Paris Is Burning is the legendary documentary about New York’s ballroom scene. The screening takes place on Saturday and will be followed by a party at Bíó Paradís with Lipstikkboy & Fusion Groove.
ASOG blends documentary and fiction, following the journey of Rey, a trans teacher on the Philippine drag scene.
Big Boys — a coming-of-age comedy about a teenage boy’s camping trip that turns into a journey of self-discovery.
Lesbian Space Princess — an animated film that adds a fresh vibe to the programme, featuring a lesbian princess Saira, a non-binary pop star, and a grumpy boomer spaceship.
Godspeed — a short film by Reykjavík-based Latvian filmmaker Klāvs Liepiņš, took home the Experimental Award at the Stockfish Film & Industry Festival. Set against a decaying post-Soviet landscape, it’s an introspective exploration of memory, intimacy, and closure between two men.
See the festival’s trailer below:
Tickets are available via iqfilmfestival.is or at the door at Bíó Paradís.