The Cinema Queer México film festival returns for its seventh edition this year, bringing a diverse lineup of films, talks, and activities that spotlight LGBTQ+ experiences and identities. The festival, which aims to promote visibility and recognition for all forms of sexual dissidence, is a platform for reshaping narratives surrounding the LGBTQ+ community in Mexico. With a blend of Mexican and international content, Cinema Queer México offers a unique opportunity to engage with the community through cinema, discussions, and creative expression.
A Swedish-Mexican Collaboration
Cinema Queer México is an extension of the Cinema Queer International Film Festival, originally founded in Sweden. The festival’s mission is to share stories that center on LGBTQ+ lives and the challenges they face, while also celebrating the diversity and vibrancy of these communities. By blending Swedish and Mexican content, the festival presents a wide range of perspectives, encouraging audiences to explore how LGBTQ+ identities are expressed and lived in different cultural contexts.
The 2024 edition of Cinema Queer México will run from September 19 to November 4, covering multiple cities across the country, including Mexico City, Morelia, Pátzcuaro, Mérida, Chihuahua, and Querétaro. Each city will host screenings, workshops, and discussions that aim to inspire, inform, and unite audiences through a shared appreciation for queer cinema.
Cities, Venues, and Dates
Cinema Queer México will make stops in the following cities:
- Mexico City: September 19-27
- Cultural Center of Spain in Mexico (free)
- Xavier Villaurrutia Cultural Center (free)
- Tonalá Cinema (free)
- Micelio Film Club (free)
- Amoxtli Bookstore (free)
- Embassy of Canada in Mexico (free)
- The Rule Community of Knowledge (free)
- We Are Voices (free)
- Queer House Revolt (free)
- Cineteca Nacional ($70 MXN for general admission, $50 MXN for students, seniors, and those under 25)
- Morelia: October 3, 4, 7
- Pátzcuaro: October 5, 6
- Mérida: October 10-13
- Chihuahua: October 17-18
- Querétaro: October 24-27
For those unable to attend in person, part of the festival’s programming will be available online via Nuestro Cine MX, the IMCINE streaming platform, on November 3 and 4. This hybrid model ensures that LGBTQ+ stories reach a wider audience across Mexico.
Films and Directors to Watch
The festival’s 2024 program includes six debut feature films, hailing from Mexico, Sweden, Canada, Spain, and Germany. These films reflect the wide array of experiences and narratives within the LGBTQ+ community and promise to leave a lasting impression on audiences.
Mexican Feature Films:
- The Silence of My Hands by Manuel Acuña
- The Muleteer by Isabel Cristina Fregoso
- All the Fires by Mauricio Calderón Rico
- All the Silence by Diego del Rio
- I Will Be Brief at the Time of Juan Briseño’s Death by Juan Briseño
- My Chest is Full of Sparks by Gal Castellanos
Swedish Feature Films:
- Gabi, from 8 to 13 Years Old
- Synthetic Flowers
- How We Have Loved – a documentary following Sara Parkman, a Swedish artist known for her anti-nationalist, queer, and feminist approach to music.
Canadian Feature Film:
- Golden Delicious by Jason Karman – A coming-of-age story about a young man discovering his true desires after meeting a gay boy named Aleks. Director Jason Karman will personally present his film in Mexico City on September 24 and 25.
Spanish Feature Film:
- Sediments – A portrait of six trans women who travel to a small town in León, exploring their personalities and shared experiences in collaboration with the Cultural Center of Spain in Mexico.
German Feature Film:
- Zuhur’s Daughters – A documentary about Lohan and Samar, two transgender teenagers navigating the tension between their religious upbringing and their Western environment. This film is presented in collaboration with the Goethe Institute.
Short Film Programs
In addition to feature films, Cinema Queer México will showcase three distinct short film programs:
- From the Other Side of the World: Queer Notes from Sweden
This Swedish short film collection explores the various dimensions of queer life in Sweden, offering a window into different styles, formats, and experiences. - Omens of a Nameless Time
This Mexican short film program focuses on redefining temporalities, weaving together bodily memories, landscapes, and home movies to tell uniquely queer stories. - Visions and Utopias
Another Mexican short film program, this series portrays different queer realities in Mexico, reflecting on identity and the collective quest for something intangible, shared by queer experiences across the nation.
Workshops and Special Activities
In addition to screenings, Cinema Queer México 2024 will offer several workshops and activities designed to engage with and educate the community:
- Workshop: Queer Cinema – From the Marginal to the Mainstream
This workshop, led by Magaly Olivera, explores the evolution of queer cinema and its representation in mainstream spaces. It will be held in Mexico City on September 20. - Queer View Against Hegemonic Cinema Workshop
This workshop will take place in Pátzcuaro on October 6 and Mérida on October 12, delving into the ways queer cinema challenges dominant narratives.
How to Attend
Cinema Queer México 2024 is free for all screenings, with the exception of the Cineteca Nacional, where tickets are priced at $70 MXN for general admission and $50 MXN for students, seniors, and those under 25. For workshop participation, limited capacity applies, and registration can be done through the festival’s social media channels.
For more details on the full schedule and program, you can visit the official festival program.
With an exciting lineup of films, workshops, and discussions, Cinema Queer México 2024 is set to inspire and unite audiences, celebrating queer identities and experiences across Mexico.