BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival celebrated its 31st edition at the British Film Institute on Southbank last month.

Once again, this yearly selection of films and documentaries of LGBTQ fiction and non-fiction works pushed the boundaries and expressed emotion and talent.

One of the most significant and long standing film events in the world’s LGBT calendar, BFI Flare presented over 50 features, more than 100 shorts and a wide range of special events, guest appearances, discussions, workshops, club nights and much more.

With the help of singer-songwriter Katherine Ellis, electro pop music blogger Raj Rudolph and actor Kris Webb, I saw and reviewed many of the films on show. Watch our vlogs of the launch party below:

The festival opened with the World Premiere of Against the Law (directed by Fergus O’Brien and starring Daniel Mays, Mark Gatiss and Charlie Creed-Miles), a sensitive adaptation of Peter Wildeblood’s bestselling memoir, telling the story of his affair with a handsome serviceman and the subsequent court case which led to his imprisonment.

Special Presentations at BFI Flare this year included Vincent Gagliostro’s passionate and inspirational After Louie where Alan Cumming gives a stand-out performance as a troubled survivor of the AIDS epidemic.

Watch our review video below:

The HEARTS programme included films about love, romance and friendship. Handsome Devil, directed by John Butler and starring Andrew Scott, is a witty Irish charmer which charts the unlikely friendship between an isolated gay teen and his hunky rugby playing roommate. Read Raj Rudolph’s review over on his excellent EQ Music website.

Dante Alencastre’s documentary Raising Zoey follows a strong family who demonstrate how open mindedness and love can pave the way for a joyful transition for their 13-year-old Zoey.

Watch our video review of Raising Zoey below:

Waiting for B (dir. Paulo Cesar Toldeo) is a kitschy, light-hearted and thoroughly camp portrayal of pop culture, mega fandom and the adoration of Beyoncé. I was joined by actor/singer Kris Webb to watch and review this documentary, which you can watch below.