Saturday, June 28th, 2025
Why LGBTQ+ Stories Are Important – And How To Do Them Justice
At Norwich Film Festival, we believe that storytelling is a powerful tool for fostering understanding, empathy, and change. LGBTQ+ narratives are integral to this mission, offering diverse perspectives that enrich the cinematic landscape.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ Stories at NFF
Over the years, we’ve been privileged to feature a range of LGBTQ+ films that have resonated with audiences:
- Just A Weekend (2023): Directed by Aella Jordan-Edge, this film explores the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship intertwined with a first queer romance.
- The Archive: Queer Nigerians (2023): Directed by Simisolaoluwa Akande, this documentary amplifies the voices of queer Nigerians in the UK, preserving their stories against erasure.
- A Different Place (2022): Directed by Sophie Black, this narrative delves into a transformative encounter between two women, highlighting themes of self-discovery and connection.
These films exemplify the power of short films to tell profound stories that resonate globally.
A Different Place (2022)
A Dedicated LGBTQ+ Shorts Strand
Each year, Norwich Film Festival hosts a dedicated LGBTQ+ Shorts screening, curated to spotlight important and underrepresented stories from across the queer spectrum. These screenings are more than just a showcase — they’re a conversation. Every event includes a post-screening Q&A with the filmmakers, offering audiences a chance to engage directly with the people behind the films. These sessions are often some of the most moving and well-attended of the festival, creating space for open dialogue, honest reflection, and community connection.
For instance, the 2022 LGBTQ+ Shorts & Q&A event featured directors Sophie Black (A Different Place) and Aella Jordan-Edge (Misnomer), who shared insights into their filmmaking processes and the importance of authentic representation. One audience member told us it was “fabulous to see queer stories that feel really authentic and are positive.” In 2024 we had even more panellists for the Q&A, speaking in front of a sell-out crowd.
Our LGBTQ+ panel during NFF2024
The Importance of Authentic Representation
Authentic LGBTQ+ storytelling is crucial for representation and visibility. It allows queer lives to be seen in all their complexity — not as tropes, stereotypes, or cautionary tales, but as rich, multifaceted human experiences. At its best, it can challenge prejudice, spark empathy, and create cultural change.
We’ve seen the power of this in feature documentaries like Disclosure (2020), which takes a deep look at how transgender people have been portrayed on screen — and how those portrayals shape public perception and policy. The film doesn’t just criticise — it contextualises, helping viewers understand the deep cultural impact of film and television on real lives.
Similarly, Welcome to Chechnya (2020) brings international attention to the brutal persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals in Chechnya, combining undercover reporting with innovative deepfake technology to protect its subjects. It’s a powerful example of how form and ethics intersect in documentary filmmaking — and how vital it is to tell these stories with care and courage.
Both films demonstrate that authenticity isn’t about ticking identity boxes. It’s about truth. Responsibility. And giving voice to people and perspectives that are too often silenced or sensationalised.
Engaging with the Broader LGBTQ+ Film Community
We encourage filmmakers to explore and engage with festivals dedicated to LGBTQ+ cinema — not just as places to submit work, but as valuable spaces for community, learning, and growth. Events like BFI Flare, Iris Prize, and Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest are not only highly respected on the international circuit, but also deeply rooted in queer culture. They platform a huge range of styles and voices, from grassroots activism to glossy genre shorts, and offer meaningful opportunities to see how other filmmakers are telling LGBTQ+ stories around the world.
Attending or following these festivals can help filmmakers better understand the evolving landscape of queer cinema — what’s being celebrated, what conversations are happening, and what gaps still need filling. They’re also brilliant places to meet collaborators, hear from programmers and audiences directly, and see your work in dialogue with others. Whether you’re submitting a film, attending panels, or simply watching other people’s work, these festivals are a chance to be part of something larger than your own project.
Fringe Film Fest 2023
Guidelines for Submitting LGBTQ+ Stories
When crafting and submitting LGBTQ+ narratives — whether to NFF or any other festival — it’s important to think beyond the basics of representation. A well-crafted queer story isn’t defined solely by who’s on screen, but by how they’re framed, what they’re given to feel and do, and whether the story feels lived-in and honest.
Here’s what we look out for:
- Authenticity: Does it feel like this story knows the world it’s portraying? Are the characters fully realised, or do they feel like tokens? This doesn’t mean it has to be autobiographical — but it should feel grounded.
- Nuance: We’re drawn to complexity over cliché. Queer lives aren’t all trauma or triumph — and we respond best to stories that reflect that. A small, intimate story can be just as powerful as something political.
- Collaboration: Who’s behind the camera matters. If you’re telling a story about a marginalised identity that isn’t your own, show us that you’ve worked collaboratively and ethically. That care shows up in the final product.
We apply these values to all films, not just LGBTQ+ submissions. Whether you’re telling a love story, a coming-of-age tale, or an experimental piece about identity, we’re looking for clarity, confidence, and emotional truth. Short films that move us — not just because of the subject matter, but because they’re well-crafted, thoughtful, and personal. And finally, tell the story only you can tell. That’s what makes a submission stand out.
Join Us in Celebrating LGBTQ+ Narratives
We invite filmmakers to submit their LGBTQ+ stories to Norwich Film Festival. Together, we can continue to showcase diverse voices and foster a more inclusive cinematic landscape.
You can submit now via FilmFreeway, but submissions close on June 29th 2025. Full details on categories, eligibility, and deadlines are also available on our submissions page.
See you on the circuit.