Exploring Diverse Perspectives on LGBTQ+ Lives Beyond Asia: The World Pride Section

Programmer’s Picks:<Light Falls>, <Solo>, <Unicorns>, <Young Hearts>, <See You 'Round the Block>, <Honeymoon>

The World Pride Section at the Seoul International Pride Film Festival presents a lineup of notable non-Asian films celebrated at major international festivals for both their artistic value and compelling narratives. This year’s selections bring to life the diverse societies and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals around the world, capturing the unique stories, issues, and cultures that shape their lives. The section stands out with films that vividly portray the essence of each country’s distinctive cultural colors.

Premiering in Asia, <Light Falls>  by Phedon PAPAMICHAEL is set on a Greek island where a young couple, exploring an abandoned hotel, encounters unexpected violence and revenge in a haunting sequence of events. <Solo>, directed by Sophie DUPUIS, follows a drag artist in Montreal, Canada, who finds himself caught between newfound love with a dancer and the sudden reappearance of his mother after 15 years. The emotional tension between these two powerful relationships is masterfully expressed, along with captivating stage performances.

Another noteworthy selection, <Unicorns>, directed by Sally EL HOSAINI and James KRISHNA FLOYD, tells the story of a young single father working as a mechanic and a South Asian queer nightclub performer leading a double life. As they meet, each begins a journey of self-exploration and identity. Anthony SCHATTEMAN’s <Young Hearts> follows a 14-year-old who, upon developing feelings for a new neighbor, grapples with the intense emotions of first love and the internal turmoil of proving his self-worth.

The World Pride Section’s short films are equally remarkable. <See You 'Round the Block>, by Daniel GAT, takes place in Tel Aviv, Israel, where two ex-lovers have an awkward reunion on a quiet morning after a long night, only to realize one has just moved across the street from the other. <Honeymoon> by Alkis PAPASTATHOPOULOS tells the story of two protagonists who, after an altercation with the police, leave Greece on a bus. During their journey, a sudden transphobic attack leaves them stranded on a remote highway, forcing them into an unexpected ordeal.

In addition to these films, the World Pride Section showcases works from the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, France, and other countries, painting a vibrant mosaic of global LGBTQ+ experiences. Through these diverse stories, the World Pride Section brings a colorful spectrum of voices to the festival.