Special PRIDE

Showcasing Diverse Queer Films Across Directors, Actors, Countries, and Eras Through Special Screenings and Retrospectives

Special Focus on Dutch Queer Cinema: Queer Film Focus in the Netherlands

Screening of SHIN Seung-woo’s The Man with Breasts (1993) Restored by the Korean Film Archive

Sexy, Moving, Young, Harmonious! Season 2 - Three Perspectives, Three Voices and <The Frank Scenario> : Community Voice

 Programmer's Pick: <Sex Sirens>

The Special PRIDE Section presents a vibrant selection of queer films that span various themes and cultural eras, brought to life through special screenings and retrospectives.

This year’s program includes a spotlight on Dutch queer cinema with Queer Film Focus in the Netherlands. A standout feature in this segment is <Sex Sirens> (2019), which delves into the “Sex Siren” category of the ballroom scene—a central feature of 1980s Harlem’s ballroom culture. Initially a refuge for Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ communities, the ballroom scene quickly evolved into a hub for self-expression and celebration, hosting high-energy events known as balls. Sex Sirens follows four protagonists from diverse racial and gender backgrounds as they prepare for an Amsterdam ball, exploring their experiences within the ballroom community and reflecting on allure, sensuality, and sexual empowerment. The film captures what it means to embody a “Sex Siren” today and highlights the continued importance of safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals.

In collaboration with the Korean Film Archive, SIPFF also annually restores and screens key works in queer cinema. This year’s selection is SHIN Seung-soo’s <The Man with Breasts> (1993), a newly restored romantic comedy featuring a protagonist navigating gender transition. In the film, KIM Hye-sun (played by PARK Sun-young) decides to live as a man after confronting the limitations society imposes on women. While managing a top-level corporate project, she meets CHOI Hyung-jun (played by CHOI Min-soo), leading to unexpected emotional complications. This rare screening offers a unique chance to experience the impactful legacy of pioneering Korean queer films on the big screen.

Finally, the Community Voice segment shines a light on independent queer filmmaking in Korea. This year’s lineup includes <Sexy, Moving, Young, Harmonious! Season 2 - Three Perspectives, Three Voices>, alongside <The Frank Scenario> by director LEE Jin-yong. <Three Perspectives, Three Voices>  is a collaborative queer short film workshop featuring four emerging gay directors, ranging in age from their 20s to 50s, each bringing a personal vision and a passion for cinema to their work. The festival celebrates these diverse voices in queer film and reaffirms its commitment to supporting and fostering the growth of the Korean queer film community.

Each year, the Special Pride Section evolves, providing opportunities to rediscover queer cinema, from classic Korean films to unique works from lesser-known countries. This allows audiences to engage deeply with queer cinema, fostering meaningful social change beyond the screen.