Queerness on Film Celebrates Another Sold Out Year
While much of the country watched one of the biggest football matches of the year, more than 120 filmmakers, creatives and cultural leaders gathered at Rich Mix to celebrate LGBTQIA+ storytelling through Queerness on Film 2026.
Presented by Lemonade Collective in partnership with Hijinks and headline sponsor 1stAveMachine, the sold-out event returned for its second year, bringing together professionals from across film, advertising and media for an evening of screenings, conversation, performance and community. Following last year's debut at All Is Joy Studios, the event moved to Rich Mix to accommodate a growing audience, welcoming guests from organisations including Wieden+Kennedy, Saatchi & Saatchi, Iris, Accenture Song, Havas, Impero, Something, YouTube, Human Made Mark and VisitBritain.
The evening was built around a simple question: what kind of event would genuinely serve the LGBTQIA+ creative community?
QOF 2026 combined short film screenings, live discussion, performance, networking and a dedicated wellbeing space, creating opportunities for filmmakers, agencies, commissioners, brands and cultural organisations to connect.
The curated programme showcased narrative, documentary and experimental films alongside music videos that challenged convention while exploring the richness, humour, resilience and complexity of contemporary queer life. Audience feedback praised both the exceptional calibre of the films and Lemonade Collective's thoughtful curation, with many describing it as one of the strongest collections of contemporary queer short films they had seen.
One of the defining moments of the evening was the live panel discussion hosted by Loose Willis, whose warmth, humour and thoughtful moderation created space for a conversation that was candid, nuanced and deeply personal.
Bringing together filmmakers, writers, performers and cultural leaders, the panel explored the realities of making queer work today, from authorship and identity to commercial pressures, creative freedom, career sustainability and the future of representation. Throughout the discussion, one message emerged clearly: diversity cannot be treated as a passing trend, but requires meaningful, long-term investment in LGBTQIA+ talent.
One of the evening's most engaging conversations centred on what actually defines a queer film. Jesse May Fisher and Jaime Lock described Jellyfish as unapologetically queer cinema, arguing that while its themes resonate far beyond LGBTQIA+ audiences, its perspective, authorship and emotional core make it inherently queer. By contrast, Danny Bailey reflected that he had never consciously set out to make a queer film with Soft Bwoi, only later recognising how others had interpreted his work. Together, the discussion questioned whether those definitions belong to the artist, the audience or the industry.
The panel also challenged assumptions around who queer stories are really for. Rather than speaking only to audiences who already identify as allies, panellists shared an ambition to reach far beyond the converted. Danny Bailey spoke about wanting his films screened in everyday spaces such as barbershops, while Luyanda Lewis-Nyawo reflected on the importance of queer stories reaching people's living rooms, using empathy and authentic representation to challenge prejudice. They also highlighted the need to better engage Black audiences, noting that representation is not only about who appears on screen, but also about who feels welcomed into the audience.
Andrew Woodyatt echoed that ambition, describing how Pink Palace Queer Film Club aims to 'wake the unwoken' through films that challenge assumptions, encourage empathy and spark conversation.
The discussion also offered a candid assessment of the current landscape for queer storytelling. Panellists reflected on how, following a period of increased visibility, LGBTQIA+ creatives were no longer viewed as commercially fashionable by some parts of the industry. This prompted a thoughtful conversation around resisting cycles of cultural trendiness and maintaining authentic creative voices within an industry still shaped by commercial demand.
One particularly powerful moment came as Luyanda shared the experience of being advised to return to using she and her pronouns in order to improve their chances of securing acting roles. The story prompted a wider discussion around authenticity, visibility and the compromises LGBTQIA+ creatives are still too often expected to make in order to work. Andrew argued that the answer lies in holding firmly to identity and refusing to dilute queer voices to meet changing industry expectations – a sentiment that resonated throughout the room.
The conversation also highlighted the many ways queer stories can be made. Danny Bailey reflected on creating Soft Bwoi in a deliberately stripped-back, guerrilla style, shooting much of the film on an iPhone in his own home. Despite its modest production, the film has travelled internationally, demonstrating that deeply personal storytelling can resonate globally without requiring a large budget.
Expertly guided by Loose Willis, the discussion was insightful, funny and deeply personal in equal measure, prompting an engaged audience Q&A and conversations that continued long after the formal programme had ended.
The evening concluded with a live performance from Virgin X, followed by networking and a social hosted by DJ Misterr Cha and Loose Willis. The event was made possible through the support of Hijinks, 1stAveMachine, Final Cut, Outvertising, The Arzner, Pink Palace Queer Film Club, Firepit Art Gallery & Cultural Hub, London Fetish Film Festival and Rich Mix.
Speaking after the event, Corin West, founder of Lemonade Collective, said, "One of the things we're most proud of at Lemonade Collective is creating spaces where brilliant work sparks meaningful conversations and new collaborations. We're hugely grateful to our partners, filmmakers, speakers, performers and everyone who chose to spend their evening with us. This event exists because of a community that continues to show up for one another, and we're excited to keep building it together."
Looking ahead, Lemonade Collective's cultural programme continues on 29th October 2026 with the return of Gifted & Black, celebrating Black creativity across film, advertising and contemporary culture. Bringing together filmmakers, artists, industry leaders and audiences, the event continues Lemonade Collective's commitment to championing underrepresented voices, supporting emerging talent and creating meaningful connections across the creative industries.
