Shoppers of culture and cinema-lovers are queuing up: Q-IFTUK returns with its second Irish Pride Film Festival in London, bringing queer Irish storytelling to Hammersmith and Soho this June, and offering films, panels, drag and awards that matter to Irish and diaspora audiences.

Essential takeaways

  • Dates and venues: The festival runs 23 June at the Irish Cultural Centre Hammersmith, and 26–27 June at The Century Club Soho.
  • Programme highlights: Two short-film strands (Bród Bites #1 and #2), an industry panel, a drag show and a feature screening of Girls & Boys.
  • Industry and networking: Panels include Fealy Films on the 12-12 Film Challenge; jury members include Bankside Films’ Stephen Kelliher and director David Freyne.
  • Awards and community: Q-IFTUK Irish Pride Awards will honour Best Performance, Best Short Film and an Audience Choice Award, followed by Q&As and networking.
  • Tone and access: Events mix industry talk with lively social programming; expect a warm, inclusive atmosphere and accessible screenings.

Why the festival matters , queer Irish stories on a London stage

Q-IFTUK’s Irish Pride Film Festival is about more than screenings; it’s a deliberate push to raise the profile of LGBT+ Irish talent in the UK. The festival opens with Bród Bites #1 at the Irish Cultural Centre Hammersmith, a short-film programme designed to be vivid and intimate, and it finishes with a feature and awards in Soho. That blend gives audiences a real sense of contemporary Irish queer life, from quiet shorts to a late-night romcom, and it feels intentionally celebratory and grassroots.

The festival is put together by Q-IFTUK, the LGBTQ+ arm of Irish Film & Television UK, and backed by Screen Ireland and Culture Ireland. So while the event has a community heartbeat, it also plugs into official cultural channels, which helps new voices reach broadcasters, festivals and commissioners.

What’s on the bill , shorts, a romcom and a drag finale

Expect two curated short programmes, Bród Bites #1 and #2, each followed by Q&As with filmmakers and cast. Short films are where fresh talent often arrives first, and these slots are deliberately conversational, filmmakers stay after screenings to talk process, low-budget hacks and the stories behind the shots.

The headline feature is Girls & Boys, a romantic comedy by Donncha Gilmore set in Dublin’s nightlife. Its mix of humour and tenderness, and a central trans character who’s also an aspiring filmmaker, gives the festival both heart and topicality. The screening is a good opportunity to see an award-winning Irish film in a friendly, communal setting before the awards ceremony.

Panels and industry nights , practical conversations for filmmakers

One of the festival’s practical draws is the Fealy Films panel on the 12-12 Film Challenge, an initiative to make 12 shorts in 12 months that explicitly aims to get working-class filmmakers back on set. For emerging producers and directors, that discussion is a useful masterclass in production logistics, community funding models and creative timeframes.

IFTUK is positioning the festival as an industry-touchpoint as well as a cultural night out. Panels are scheduled to encourage networking, and because Q-IFTUK’s leadership includes industry-savvy figures, guests can expect useful contacts alongside inspiring stories.

Community, awards and the human angle

The Q-IFTUK Irish Pride Awards wrap up the festival on Saturday, recognising Best Performance, Best Short Film and an Audience Choice Award. The presence of jury members such as Stephen Kelliher and David Freyne adds a credible, professional eye to the proceedings, which matters for filmmakers aiming to progress to sales and festival runs.

There’s also a lighter, celebratory side: the Friday night drag extravaganza by Orla Nothin’ promises a high-energy close to the evening, reminding everyone that festivals are for connection as much as critique. Hosting the awards and much of the weekend is Derek Murphy, whose visible leadership helps knit together industry and community.

How to make the most of the weekend , practical tips

Book screenings early, the weekend includes limited-capacity events in Soho and Hammersmith. Bring business cards if you’re a filmmaker or producer; panels are designed for conversation and casual introductions often lead to collaborations. For viewers, arrive early for Q&As to snag a good seat and to chat with filmmakers afterwards, short-film nights are ideal for discovering the next voice you’ll want to follow.

If you travel from outside London, plan Friday or Saturday evening in Soho around the Century Club’s late programming; the mix of industry chat and drag means the vibe moves from professional to festive as the night goes on.

It's a small cultural programme that offers big chances to see fresh Irish queer work and meet the people making it.

Source Reference Map

Story idea inspired by: [1]

Sources by paragraph: