Gay film festival: the Top 10 French-speaking

Feb. 11 2016

by Marc Dedonder

Each French-speaking gay film festival is unique and offers a varied selection of LGBT films. In Paris or in the regions, spend joyful and cultural moments, rediscover cult films or participate in the national previews of the new releases of this year 2016. From the gay film festival in Nantes to the one in Lyon, via Geneva or Brussels, there will be one near you! Get out your agendas and book the dates of each gay film festival: here is a Top 10 of French-speaking gay film festivals of 2016.

1 - Des Images aux Mots - Toulouse
From February¹to 28, 2016

The gay film festival "Des Images aux Mots" takes place for a week in the city of Toulouse. Screenings are organized every day, sometimes preceded by cocktails or openings and often accompanied by special guests, such as directors or photographers. The festival then goes on tour throughout the Midi-Pyrénées region until the end of February and presents its selections in Albi, Rodez, Blagnac or Carbonne.

2 - Écrans Mixtes - Lyon
From 02 to 08 March 2016

For the launch of its 6th edition, the gay film festival Écrans Mixtes in Lyon offers from the opening to discover previews of films such as Théo and Hugo in the same boat, Quand on a 17 ans or Drown. Exchanges are organized with directors and actors of the films presented: not to be missed!

3 - Vues d'en face - Grenoble
From April¹to 10, 2016

Since 2002, the city of Grenoble has been hosting the Vues d'en face gay film festival and its forty or so LGBT films, from all walks of life. The festival wants to participate in the evolution of mentalities in France and unveils films ignored by the country's film distribution. The spectators leave their opinions on each film, which allows to award an audience prize each year, given during the closing ceremony.

4 - Marais Film Festival - Paris
April 2016

^3rd edition for the gay film festival organized in the heart of Paris, by the French distributor Outplay. Find a selection of unreleased or well-known films during a week, and take the opportunity to meet and approach the directors. Previews are also presented.

5 - In & Out Festival - Nice
From April 19 to 24, 2016

Take part in a week of LGBT film screenings in the city of Nice, with a selection as varied as ever for the 8th edition. Various cinemas and cultural spaces are occupied by the festival, which invites every viewer to come and sit down to share a film and discuss their feelings. Parties are proposed all along the festival in the clubs of Nice.

6 - Cinepride - Nantes
From^1stto 07th June 2016

13th edition of the LGBT film festival in Nantes, where you can attend screenings of this year's chosen films. From classics to new releases, take seats next to special guests to watch a film, attend conferences or even just go for brunch!

7 - ZeFestival - Nice
Late September - early October 2016

ZeFestival is four cities, films, documentaries, workshops and parties! All of this for about ten days. Meet the LGBT population of the region in Nice, Seillans, Toulon and Marseille for a most versatile gay film festival. The association Polychrome, which organizes the festival, also organizes choirs, photo contests, outings and cultural activities throughout the French Riviera.

8 - Everybody's Perfect - Geneva
From October 14 to 22, 2016

The fourth edition of Geneva's gay film festival takes place this year, as it has every other year since 2010. Take in a week of eye candy, meet actors and directors of your favorite films. The association proposes several cultural events in order to fight against homophobia, transphobia and to promote equal rights.

9 - Pink Screens - Brussels
End of October

The gay film festival of Brussels celebrates sexualities! You have ten days to enjoy all the films proposed for this 15th edition, admire the exhibitions, meet the participants and guests, etc. And don't miss the crazy closing party, the Pink Night. The association Genres d'à côté which organizes the festival has only one goal and it defends it well: to promote all sexualities and all genders.

10 - Cheries-Cheris - Paris
End of November

Feature films, short films and documentaries: these three distinct film genres are all represented at the Chéries-Chéris festival in Paris. Prizes are awarded by the jury at the end of the gay film week, during which you can attend dozens of film performances, sometimes accompanied by the film crews.