This Pride Month, the world’s largest international LGBTQ+ film festival is celebrating its 50th year amplifying queer cinema and representation.
The San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, also known as Frameline, is taking place June 17–27. The 11-day cinema extravaganza, which bills itself as the “longest-running, largest, and most widely recognized queer film exhibition event in the world,” has been proudly running since 1976.
The festival spans the Bay Area, including venues in Berkeley and Oakland. With a passionate focus, it’s dedicated to spotlighting the LGBTQ+ community’s stories, filmmakers, and entertainment industry professionals.
On the festival’s final day, Emmy-winning actor (Michael, Euphoria, and The Color Purple) and entertainment industry powerhouse Colman Domingo will be honored with Variety’s Creative Conscience Award. Per the publication, Domingo is being highlighted for his artistic contributions “along with his work to champion underrepresented communities.” Also on June 27 is “A Conversation with Colman Domingo,” a 60-minute ticketed event at San Francisco‘s Castro Theatre. In addition to discussing the multihyphenate’s career, the conversation will explore Domingo’s ties to the Bay Area and the current landscape of queer media.
What Can Attendees Expect At The San Francisco LGBTQ Film Festival?
What’s special about Frameline is the variety of international screenings that attendees get to view. This year, titles originate from countries including South Africa, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Brazil, France, the United States, and more. Contemporary and vintage screenings of full-length feature films and shorts will be shown. While each film offers something different, those on the festival’s program with tickets that are selling fast include 10s Across the Borders, At the Place of Ghosts, and Black Burns Fast, among others. Also playing is The Brittney Griner Story, which features the WNBA star. Directed by Alexandria Stapleton (Sean Combs: The Reckoning), the film captures Griner, including her “home life with her wife and baby,” in the aftermath of her detainment in Russia following her conviction abroad on drug charges in 2022.
To commemorate the festival’s history, organizers will also screen a package of four short films that showcase the event’s 50-year evolution.
Ticketing prices for screenings and special events vary. There’s general admission, plus reduced pricing for students, “seniors + ADA,” Frameline members, and those attending via a Companion Pass. If you don’t get a ticket for a screening in advance, you may be able to get one on the day through a venue’s designated rush line, though your entry won’t be guaranteed.
