Queerness on Film 2026 brings seven queer short films to Rich Mix in London this July

Queerness on Film returns to London next week with seven short films, a live panel and a DJ social

Seven queer short films, a panel hosted by drag artist Loose Willis, live performances and a DJ set. Queerness on Film 2026 takes place at Rich Mix in Bethnal Green on Wednesday 15 July, from 7pm to 11pm.

Produced by Lemonade Collective and co-curated with Hijinks, with headline sponsorship from 1stAveMachine, the event is in its second year and has moved to a new venue. Rich Mix, 35 to 47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA, is a bigger and more central space than the 2025 edition.

The film programme runs from 7pm and spans narrative, documentary, experimental and visual storytelling. Luis Hindman's MAGID/ZAFAR, a BIFA-winning and BAFTA-nominated short set in a British Pakistani takeaway, screens alongside Jordan Rossi's BUTCH, a documentary about masculinity told through intimate portraits and interviews. Jesse May Fisher's JELLYFISH follows a woman consumed by fantasies of impregnating her girlfriend. Phoebe Brooks' WAITING LIST documents the reality of waiting up to seven years to see a gender specialist in the UK. Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor's FOR LOVE follows two women resisting separation by the UK's immigration system. Danny Bailey's SOFT BWOI uses soundsystem culture as its backbone, a rallying call to Black boys labelled soft. Colin G. Cooper's BATH BOMB is a queer Giallo horror comedy with violence, camp humour and what the press release describes as a judicious amount of sexy man-flesh.

A panel discussion runs from 8:45pm to 9:30pm, hosted by drag artist Loose Willis, covering creative leadership, career sustainability and how organisations and brands can better support LGBTQ+ talent. The evening closes with a live performance from Virgin X, followed by a DJ and social until 11pm.

A collaborative creative activation runs throughout the evening in a dedicated wellbeing space. Contributions will form part of a collective artwork donated to the Bishopsgate Institute LGBTQIA+ Archives.

Complimentary pizza is served during the interval.

Rich Mix, 35 to 47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA. Wednesday 15 July, 7pm to 11pm.

Tickets at tickettailor.com