Scottish Queer International Film Festival announces 2026 programme
Alongside SQIFF’s usual offering of shorts and features, the festival will reflect on its decade-long legacy with a special, in-depth exhibition
The Scottish Queer International Film Festival (SQIFF) has announced its full programme for 2026, featuring 27 curated events, more than 100 short films, six features, as well as an exhibition, poetry, performances, a drawing social, talks, panels, industry events, a craft fair, and a late-night party. Taking place from Monday 19–Saturday 24 October, this year’s programme promises explorations into the uncanny, tactile experimental filmmaking, illuminating documentaries, erotica, horror, fairytales, intimate love stories, and apocalyptic odysseys.
The festival’s flagship strand, ‘Scottish Shorts’, will present a selection of shorts from queer talent across the country, as selected by a jury of queer icons, including Tyra Banks and BAFTA-winner Chez Oteka.
In features, five films will have their Scottish premiere at the festival, including Daniel Ribeiro’s I Am Going To Miss You, which follows a trans couple as they try to make a home together; Omar Mismar’s A Frown Gone Mad, a document of the patients at Bouba’s Lebanese beauty salon as they live normal, gossiping lives against a backdrop of coming war; Amy K Jenkins’ Adam’s Apple, a portrait of a family helping their transgender teen, Adam, through transition; Mark Karbusicky and Mirha-Soleil Ross’ Yapping Out Loud: Contagious Thoughts From An Unrepentant Whore, a striking rebuttal to anti-sex work rhetoric.
The closing gala will play host to the Scottish premiere of Hunky Jesus (pictured above), Jennifer Kroot’s documentary capturing the Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence’s massive annual Easter Sunday drag competition for who can be the hunkiest Jesus. The screening will be followed by an appearance by a special appearance from the Glasgow Order of the Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence themselves.
As SQIFF celebrates more than a decade since its first festival, a SQIFF Over The Years will be open at the Art School throughout the week, charting the festival’s humble origins to its current reputation for year-round programming and continued support for queer artists.
Indigo Korres, director of SQIFF said: ‘As SQIFF celebrates its 11th edition, we’re reflecting on the festival’s legacy over the past decade, and deepening our commitment to our values of community, accessibility, and diversity. We’re delighted to have another year of bringing the best queer filmmaking talent together in Glasgow. From visionary homegrown voices to moving stories from around the world, this year's programme is not to be missed. Most of all, we’re looking forward to sharing it with our brilliant community.’
Scottish Queer International Film Festival, various venues, Glasgow, Monday 19–Saturday 24 October.