Press Release
From August 30 through September 6, over 50 films will be screened at various locations throughout Utrecht, ranging from short films to documentaries, from new talent to iconic classics in queer film history. With the theme “RECLAIM!” the festival is literally and figuratively taking up space with film, and encouraging all visitors to do the same.
RECLAIM!
With the theme “RECLAIM!”, QFFU amplifies the voice of the queer community. Max de Valck, head of programming at QFFU, says, “This is crucial! In 2024, we still see the LGBTQ+ community frequently facing discrimination, violence, and exclusion. Even in the Netherlands, conservative ideologies prevail, and the rights of many marginalized groups, particularly the trans and POC communities, are being questioned. We need space for critical dialogue. We are occupying that space and providing a platform for the community to showcase its incredible diversity and celebrate queerness in all its forms.”
Beyond the Frame
For over five years now, queer film has been at home in Utrecht. To make new strides and claim a more renowned spot, the festival rebranded itself to focus further on the specific character, programming, and activities that the festival shares with the community. Studio Kartel is responsible for our new and shiny rebranding.
Beyond the frame, the brand’s new tagline, uses a film metaphor to emphasize the uncontainable nature of queer narrative. The festival’s audience is actively encouraged to uncover the untold stories that queer culture has to offer. Both the festival’s movie programming and the community discussion side programming are included in the campaign.
The new branding is designed to reflect both the film festival’s dedication to detail and niche film history, and the dynamism of queer identity. Both rigid and fluid forms are therefore blended within a field of tension. The typography is a combination of an archive-themed typeface and an exuberantly curved custom font. The design balances these opposites. Cool but smart, cute but edgy.
The colors also represent the best of both queer and cinema. The main bright magenta color draws its energy from the pink side of the spectrum, inspired by the pink triangle of queer identity and activism, the light gray recalls the early days of film in black and white, a nod to cinematic legacy.
Opening Film: Bottoms
On Friday, August 30, the festival will open at De Helling with the American queer high school comedy Bottoms (Emma Seligman, 2023). Although this film did not receive a Dutch theatrical release, it will now get the spotlight it deserves as our opening feature. Following the screening, join us for the opening party, where queer collective MAXI will set the tone for the evening with their theme, ‘Brat to School’. Standing still won’t be an option. The festival will close with a bang, featuring a screening of Avant-Drag! (Fil Ieropoulos, 2024), with its international creators in attendance. After the film, we will hold a panel discussion on the political importance and power of queer cinema in the face of rising conservatism in Europe.
New Locations
True to tradition, the festival will screen films across the city, from well-known venues like Louis Hartlooper Complex and ‘t Hoogt to cultural incubators like De Nijverheid and Beton-T. This year, we’re adding new locations in Utrecht. On Sunday, we will screen two films at the Stadsklooster (formerly the Antoniuskerk in Lombok) and explore Utrecht’s queer history at Het Utrechts Archief. In addition to the film screenings, there’s an extensive and interactive program filled with talks, workshops, and gatherings. Between films, you can visit the free exhibition Framing the Beyond at FOTODOK, where special works by three young creators will be on display throughout the week.
The 10 Minute Challenge
In addition to film and side programming, we’re also showcasing new talent. The third edition of the “10 Minute Challenge,” a film competition organized by QFFU, invites emerging (queer) filmmakers to submit their short films. Seven selected films will compete in the following categories: Best Film, Emerging Talent, and Audience Favorite. The films will premiere at VOGELFREI on Sunday, August 31. Curious about the winners? Attend the Awards Ceremony at De Nijverheid on Friday, September 6, and celebrate with the winners at the closing night.
See the full program and additional information here.
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Queer Film Festival Utrecht 2024 was made possible by Cultuurfonds, Fentener van Vlissingen Fonds, Fonds 21, Gemeente Utrecht, HIVOS, KF Hein Fonds, Stichting Elise Mathilde Fonds, VEVAM, VSBfonds, and thanks its partners: Brouwerij ‘t IJ, Centraal Museum Utrecht, FOTODOK, Het Nieuwe Logisch, Het Utrechts Archief, HolyBe, Kaboom Animation Festival, KABUL à GoGo, MAXI, MUBI Netherlands, Nederlands Film Festival, Palestinian Film Festival Amsterdam, Queer030, Roze Filmdagen, Savannah Bay, SOA Aids Netherlands, Stichting Filmtheater ‘t Hoogt, Stichting Roze 50+, Stichting Theatergroep Aluin, Studio Camera, Studio Kartel, Studium Generale, Theater Utrecht, TranScreen, Utrecht Queer Culture Festival, Utrecht University, and VOGELFREI.