‘You’re such an adventure,’ Layla’s new partner Max tells them, following some boundary-breaking sexual shenanigans. Although intended as a compliment, it leaves Layla feeling like a novelty in the eyes of this more ‘basic’ bloke. Layla (Bilal Hasna) is a non-binary drag performer living in East London, who is struggling to find acceptance both societally and emotionally, with Louis Greatorex playing Max.

The pair meet when Layla goes rogue at a corporate event at which they have been hired to perform, with straitlaced marketing executive Max in awe of Layla’s courage. The two dive into a relationship which seems founded on mutual respect, but Max gets cold feet about dating this very out-there individual while Layla conforms in response. Further complicating matters is that Layla (formerly known as Latif) has been hiding their true self from their Muslim family, despite efforts to reconnect from a sibling, Fatima (Sarah Agha).

Intended as a love letter to the vibrant community it represents, Layla is the debut feature from writer-director Amrou Al-Kadhi and clearly comes from an authentic place. If the script lacks a bit of substance and the visuals require more invention, the film still has a lot going for it. It demonstrates the warm embrace that can be provided by a chosen family, alongside the judgements that exist within the Queer community itself, and highlights the devastating loss of nightlife venues which bring marginalised people together. In the absence of an antagonist, Layla instead illustrates the damage internalised prejudice can do, with Hasna giving an endearing performance that switches between vulnerability and audacity. Despite this, the film is perhaps better on celebration than interrogation, showing how wonderful it is to be part of something so daring and freeing as it captures the perks and the power of drag.

Layla is in cinemas from Friday 22 November.