The is bringing a diverse selection of LGBTQ+ stories to the big screen this year, spanning queer romance, trans identity and the AIDS crisis.

2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the BFI London Film Festival, which starts on 7 October 2026 with in leading the event and closes with Jesse Eisenberg’s on 18 October.

tells the true story of Ian Charleson (Scott), the acclaimed gay actor who prepared to play Hamlet at London’s National Theatre while fighting an AIDS-related illness. He passed away at the age of 40 on 6 January 1990.

BAFTA-nominated Simon Stone directed the film, written by BAFTA winner and Golden Globe nominee Stephen Beresford, with Scott producing the project.

BFI London Film Festival 2026 queer films

Beyond the opening film, the festival’s queer selection is something truly magnificent, exploring the many different ways LGBTQ+ lives and experiences can be represented on screen.

One of the major titles is The Man I Love, directed by Ira Sachs, who continues his exploration of New York life with a tender portrait of the city’s gay scene in the 1980s.

Rami Malek stars as Jimmy George, an artist driven by his passions, alongside Tom Sturridge as his boyfriend Dennis. Set against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis, the film explores love, community and artistic expression at a time when the shadow of the epidemic lingered.

Also exploring queer love is Frank and Percy, directed by Sean Mathias and starring and Roger Allam. The pair play two older men who meet while walking their dogs on Hampstead Heath.

What begins as an unlikely friendship gradually develops into something more tender, offering a warm-hearted look at romance and connection later in life. The film also features Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, Derek Jacobi, Ncuti Gatwa and Siân Phillips.

Trans representation

Trans stories are also at the heart of this year’s selection. Harvey Zielinski’s follows Jake, a young trans man who returns to see his estranged, dying father. When his father mistakes him for his cisgender twin brother, Jake chooses not to correct him.

As part of the BFI Flare Special Presentation, adds another perspective to the festival’s growing collection of trans stories.

BFI London Film Festival 2026: The full list of LGBTQ+ films

• The Man I Love Ira Sachs | starring Rami Malek, Tom Sturridge
• Frank and Percy Sean Mathias | starring Roger Allam, Sir Ian McKellen, Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, Derek Jacobi, Ncuti Gatwa, Siân Phillips
• Simon Stone | starring Andrew Scott, Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn, Juliet Stevenson, Adeel Akhtar, Peter Mullan
• Lukas Dhont | starring Valentin Campagne, Emmanuel Macchia, Willem De Schryver, Boris Bouchat
• A Long Winter Andrew Haigh | starring Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Kit Connor, Martin Freeman, Caitríona Balfe
• Harvey Zielinski | starring Harvey Zielinski
• Theo Rollason | featuring Derek Jarman and Seamus McGarvey
• Bertil Nilsson | starring Joshua Griffin, Tega Alexander, Ed White and Reece King
• Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo | starring Penélope Cruz and more
• Ashley Walters | starring Tut Nyuot, Stephen Graham
• Rhys Marc Jones | starring Tom Cullen, Joe Locke
• Mokya Shin | starring Saekja, Jinhyo Lim and Rosemary