Currently the UKs largest queer film event, Flare is also one of the worlds longest-running queer film festivals.
It turns 40 next year.
The BFI is already planning a series of celebrations to mark the milestone.
Grace Barber-PlentieBFI
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DEADLINE:Grace, is Flare the biggest Queer film event in the world?
GRACE BARBER-PLENTIE:Biggest in Europe.
Weve got some older cousins like Frameline in San Francisco.
We turn 40 next year and theyre about to turn 50.
DEADLINE: Maybe Im just paying more attention but it feels like Flare has grown in prominence of late.
BARBER-PLENTIE:The work we do at Flare hasnt changed, but the film industry has.
The way queer films are spoken about has changed.
Its no longer such a rarity or something that can be sidelined.
Also, distributors and sales agents are starting to take notice and work with us.
So it comes down to the industry shifting.
DEADLINE:The Wedding Banquet is a pretty big title to grab as the opener.
Howd that come about?
BARBER-PLENTIE:It was always a film that we had on our radar.
And obviously, Andrew [Ahn] is such an exciting presence in the film industry right now.
I lovedFire Islandso much.
And similarly, Bowen Yang is doing some amazing things.
DEADLINE: So how does Flare programming work?
Do you guys all work on LFF at the same time?
BARBER-PLENTIE:There is a bit of crossover, but luckily, its mainly one after the next.
We start in November and LFF finishes in October.
So while were in the programming process for LFF, were still seeing films that could work for Flare.
And then there are also some amazing freelance, external programmers.
DEADLINE: Does Kristy Matheson work on Flare too?
BARBER-PLENTIE:She does but in a more overarching capacity.
But shes not prescriptive.
She gives us freedom, which is such a rare and lovely thing to have.
There was Dionne Edwards, Georgia Oakley, Charlotte Wells, and a few others.
I spoke with Dionne and Georgia and they both said to me they had come through Flares mentorship schemes.
When programming the event do you have a specific interest in creating an end goal like that?
With the times were in, I guess thats a pretty political endeavor.
BARBER-PLENTIE:Yeah, its weird because Queerness is almost mainstream now in the film industry.
But as you say, that doesnt stop Queerness and Queer festivals from being politicized.
Its a really strange position to be in.
Weve been so lucky that theyve all made these amazing films and wanted to show them with us.
We had a nice moment last year.
Theyve said they wouldnt have met and made that film together if not for that scheme.
Its nice to see that were actually helping the industry.
DEADLINE:Who would you say is the Flare audience?
BARBER-PLENTIE:Its pretty varied.
Theres always going to be specific interest if youre a member of the Queer alphabet.
But we also get a real mix of everyone going to see everything.
Thats the thing if youre invested in Flare, youll usually take a chance and see anything.
And weve got things happening around the building as well.
DEADLINE: Youve got a great talks programme this year that includes James Schamus.
How do you put that programme together?
BARBER-PLENTIE:Its born out of the programming process.
We will program the entire festival and then look at the filmmakers coming.
Were lucky that we have a lot of filmmakers who return to Flare with their films.
For example, Marco Berger has screened multiple projects with us over the last few years.
Its great to have this legacy.
DEADLINE: Do you often see films that come to Flare receiving healthy theatrical releases?
BARBER-PLENTIE:It varies.
Some films will come to the festival with distribution already.
Last year we screened Crossing by Levan Akin which was released by Mubi.
I need it to get a UK release because its such a wonderful film.
So its nice to know we screened it first and then it went off and found its audience.
DEADLINE: And the closing film Night Stage.
What can you tell me about it?
The filmmakers are also Flare alumni.
The score is stunning.
Its proper cinema that you want to see on the big screen.
DEADLINE: Are there any titles you could pick out and highlight for our readers?
She is a Lesbian who had a child on her own.
And then weve got a cool American film thats coming to us from SXSW calledOuterlands.
It stars Asia Kate Dillon.
They were excellent inBillionsandOrange Is The New Black.
Its an American comedy-drama.
Its also about gentrification in San Francisco.
