After a fantastic first year in 2019, CineQ LGBTQ+ film festival is returning to Birmingham for a second year between 26th-29th March 2020. CineQ2020 is set to run across several venues across Birmingham.
Once again CineQ aims to create a fun and safe space in Birmingham for the LGBTQ+ community to gather, discuss important topics and enjoy a range of diverse queer cinema. CineQ has a unique focus on often-overlooked QTIPOC (Queer Trans and Intersex People of Colour) stories and perspectives, bringing new stories to screen and inviting a range of voices to speak on its panels and events.
The 2020 iteration of the festival hopes to build on the success of last year, which was lauded as “a properly inclusive festival of queer film… a jewel in the crown for Birmingham”, by offering a range of great films and events.
CineQ 2020 opens with a screening of PORTRAIT OF JASON, one of the most underrated gems of Black queer cinema, and one of the earliest examples of black openly gay men on screen. Josh Rivers will be attending and will be recording a special edition of his podcast Busy Being Black as part of the post-screening discussion.
Other films announced include critically acclaimed 2019 film MONSOON and the recently restored THE WATERMELON WOMAN - one of the classic greats of black queer representation – and the apt and timeless Closing Night film END OF THE CENTURY.
The festival is also set to include a Filmmaker Matchmaker event by CineQ x BFI NETWORK, a networking event aimed at getting Birmingham creatives together for an evening of welcome drinks and creativity before the opening night film.
As part of its mission to create inclusive and welcoming queer spaces, CineQ 2020 will be continuing its dedication to CineQ Watch Parties - an experimental digital event that takes place during the 10 days previous to the main festival and aims to connect those who are otherwise isolated in society. A selection of curated short films and submissions will be screened on the CineQ Facebook page to encourage collective viewing and discussion with other queer cinephiles.
The CineQ film festival is funded by BFI FAN Film Hub Midlands and is supported by Film Hub Midlands, Grand Union, Birmingham Open Media, Mockingbird and Midlands Arts Centre.
