BFI Flare is 30 years old; Fallon Gold goes along to find out what birthday delights we have in store

For queer film lovers, BFI Flare is like Christmas. For a week and a half. As we take over the Southbank (is the collective noun a camp of queers?), unwrapping the cinematic goodies with our eyes, we bump into people we’ve been meaning all year to catch up with… and try to ignore those we want to avoid… There’s a palpable exciting energy at the BFI in March when the LGBT film festival is on.

For those of us lucky enough to be invited to the press launch announcing the year’s programme, sitting in a packed NFT1 is the beginning of that excitement. It really feels like community, like family (including those members you’d rather not see). 2016 is the 30^th anniversary of the film festival, one of the oldest LGBT events in the world. BFI is rightly delighted to share that pride with us because they know that the festival is about the audience: the eager scramble for tickets, the conversations post screening, the joyous feeling of dancing to the glorious playlist that DJs Unskinny Bop are pumping out in the bar. Loverboy’s companion for the evening compared flicking through the programme to going through the Argos catalogue picking out what you want for Xmas. How perfect an analogy is that?

This year’s list of films and events is as wondrous as ever. The opening night screening is the world premiere of The Pass starring Russell Tovey as a closeted footballer. Programmer Jason Barker assured us that as there are many shirtless shots of Tovey in the film, the luxurious seats of the Odeon Leicester Square – where the red carpet screening is to be held – will accommodate our potential swooning. Closing the festival is Catherine Corsini’s Summertime: two women meet at a feminist protest in 1970s Paris and embark on a passionate love affair.

As in previous years, Flare has been split into the categories of Heart, Body and Mind and Flare has pulled Loverboy’s every part hook, line and sinker. We have our eye on many highlights. Mapplethorpe: Look At The Pictures is a documentary about the still controversial work from the photographer who gave us so many incredible images. The filmmakers speak to those who were close to the artist including the models who reveal the true – often very practical – meanings behind the photographs. Women He’s Undressed is a showcase of Australian-born, golden age Hollywood costume designer Orry-Kelly who most famously dressed Marilyn in Some Like It Hot. Coming Out sees filmmaker Alden Peters on a road trip announcing he’s gay to family and friends live on camera. Can you imagine doing that?!

Harri Shanahan and Sian Williams’ work in progress Rebel Dykes explores London lesbians in the 80s; Sauna The Dead (We’re GAGGING!) imagines a zombie apocalypse in Vauxhall’s Chariots sauna; the Transform event examines trans representation on screen; and Loverboy issue 3’s own Silas Howard answers audience questions about his work.

There’s a Big Gay Film Quiz to have a go at and Year Dot looks at intersections of identity, science and technology to coincide with the BFI Flare Sci-Tech lab launching a training programme to address the lack of LGBTQ presence in the media and games industries.

Being the camp fabulous queens Loverboy are, we have to admit we are VERY excited about the special event Sing-A-Long Calamity Jane. We’ll be sure to be longing for a Woman’s Touch, yearning for our Secret Love and Whip Cracking Away at the IMAX, darlings.