Sino Queer Short Film Festival

Lethe Flow and Nowhere Netherlands will co-host the "Sino Queer Short Film Festival", marking a fresh start for 2025. The festival will feature three short film collections under the following themes: "Rainbow Bridge" "Beyond Borders" "Queer Diaspora"

All the selected films are created by Sino-Queer filmmakers.

Jenny Man Wu, committee member of the Beijing Queer Film Festival (@beijingqueer ), will bring recent years' featured films from BQFF to Europe. Additionally, director Kit Hung (@kithunghk ) will showcase several exceptional works produced through the Queers Across The Waves - Queer Filmmaking Talent Development Programme. Kit will also attend in person to introduce and share insights about these films. Some of the participating directors will join us online for interactive discussions with the audience! Can’t wait to see you there!

Ticket Information: €10 for each session, €20 for the Whole Day Pass;
1st Jan to 7th Jan, limited to the Whole Day Pass.
8th Jan to 18th Jan, both kinds of tickets are available.
All the films are with Chinese and English subtitles;
We will have discussions with the director(s) online after every session of screening.

Agenda

13:00 - 15:00 First Session Rainbow Bridge Screening
15:00 - 15:30 Q&A
15:30 - 16:00 Break
16:00 - 17:30 Second Session Beyond Borders Screening
17:30 - 18:00 Q&A
18:00 - 19:30 Break
19:30 - 21:00 Third Session Queer Diaspora Screening
21:00 - 21:45 Q&A

Introduction of Each Session

Introduction of First Session Rainbow Bridge

This section brings together four short films by emerging queer filmmakers from the Sinosphere, showcasing the diversity and critical reflections of contemporary Sino queer cinema. These films illuminate the unique existence of queer communities and the infinite possibilities of gender fluidity. They invite the audience to move beyond external scrutiny, approaching the essentials of queer experiences with empathy and discovering resonance within difference.

From the hidden emotional tensions and boundary-testing of a father and son in Itching, to the intertwining and clashes of love in two different chapters in Love is a Book; from the perspective of a solitary woman navigating post-pandemic Wuhan in Spring Starts Today, to the complex interplay between identity performance and authentic self in Play House — these four short films break through the conventional frameworks of queer storytelling with layered narratives and vivid emotional expressions. They are not merely explorations of identity, but deep investigations into queer culture as a way of life, a form of emotional expression, and a tool for social dialogue.

Together, these films assert a powerful message: the uniqueness of queer communities is not an 'anomaly', but a valuable state of being that deserves recognition. This distinctiveness does not seek assimilation into heteronormative frameworks, but rather underscores the necessity of understanding and acceptance. These works invite audiences to re-examine the often-overlooked experiences and psychological burdens of queer individuals within mainstream society and advocate for a deeper understanding of diverse identities. Despite the invisible pressures, the queer protagonists remain resolute in their sense of self.

Through these films, the power of inclusion, love, and support is conveyed, encouraging viewers to carry forward this strength and extend it to others. Let every 'uniqueness' find its rightful belonging in the real world.

– Curator Jenny Man Wu

Introduction of Second Session Beyond Borders

Beyond Borders showcases five outstanding short films created by Chinese-speaking queer filmmakers living overseas. These works originate from the Queer Filmmaking Program - Queers Across the Waves, hosted at the University of London in 2024 and guided by award-winning queer filmmaker Kit Hung.

The program explores themes that deeply resonate with the Sino-queer diasporic community, including geopolitical identities, racial stereotypes, queer intimacy, and the emotional landscapes of displacement. Spanning regions such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, and beyond, the filmmakers delve into what it means to live and love across borders—whether physical, cultural, or emotional.

Paying homage to the artistry of Hong Kong lyricist Chow Yiu Fai and queer icons Anthony Wong and Ellen Loo, Beyond Borders seeks to expand the cinematic landscape of the Sinosphere. It redefines the concept of "borders," viewing them not only as markers of division and separation but as gaps to be filled with stories, love, connection, and resilience. The program celebrates how borders can inspire understanding and solidarity, even amidst geopolitical and emotional challenges.

Beyond Borders is a heartfelt tribute to those who have courageously come out, paving the way for authentic queer storytelling.

– Curator Lethe Flow

Introduction of Third Session Queer Diaspora

How do diasporic experiences of Chinese individuals influence their queer identity and expression? What latent connections exist between cultural memory and queer representation? This program showcases six short films that enrich the singular narrative of queer identity, reimagining queer subjectivity through the interplay of culture, field, and personal identity. These multidimensional expressions turn diasporic experiences into significant opportunities for redefining Chinese queer identity, while resonating with broader intersections of queer culture and globalization. From inner loneliness to cultural displacement, from philosophical reflection to intimate relationships, these films capture the intricate emotions of queer individuals seeking belonging and self-redefinition.

At the same time, these films reveal how queerness functions as a force to counter the silencing of subjects within the diasporic condition. This silencing is not merely a linguistic struggle but reflects the marginalization and erasure of identities within dominant narratives. Here, Hopefully and Frozen Out both draw on themes of migration and dislocation, exploring how queer identity is reconsidered or redefined in foreign lands. In the fissures of cultural and social frameworks, the protagonists strive to find a sense of belonging. Their diasporic experiences deepen their understanding of their queer identity while challenging the boundaries of identity itself. Flying Fish blends reality and fiction, reevaluating the connections between drag performance and childhood memory, showing how cultural memory and queer self-discovery intertwine. Wegen Hegel uses philosophy and desire as its narrative thread, exploring the conflicts of loneliness, free will, and reality during the pandemic, with ‘Asian queer' identity becoming a lens through which self-reflection unfolds. The Parisian in Bali Village and Water Under the Bridge approach the themes of identity dislocation and cultural recognition from another angle. These films explore how queer individuals seek new modes of expression within the cultural framework of their homeland and how globalization shapes their queer identities.

Through visual expression, queer subjects reclaim their voices in diverse ways: they leverage personal narratives and artistic practices to transcend societal constraints and infuse new meaning into their diasporic experiences. In this struggle, queer identity emerges not only as a form of self-affirmation but also as a creative tool for rebuilding a sense of belonging. These short films aim to provide viewers, especially those navigating their own diasporic conditions, with a profound dialogue on singular identities, diaspora, and belonging.

– Curator Jenny Man Wu

ABOUT US

Lethe Flow, an independent cultural salon rooted in the Chinese community in the Netherlands, aims to support freedom of expression and diverse values by organizing film screenings that are often subject to censorship or restrictions. Through our activities, we hope to make these important works accessible to broader audiences.

Nowhere Netherlands is a diaspora Chinese bookstore from Taiwan, located in The Hague, Netherlands. It is dedicated to creating an open space for multicultural exchange. As a branch of the global Nowhere network, it aims to connect readers from diverse backgrounds, promoting dialogue, understanding, and the free exchange of ideas. The bookstore aspires to help diaspora communities transition from disconnection to presence — from "No Where" to "Now Here."

Content Warning
Please note that some of the films contain images of nudity, sexual content, and scenes that may involve sexual violence. These themes are integral to the storytelling and provide important context for the experiences explored in the films. Viewer discretion is advised.

Click here to find more about the program.