Watchers are coming back to the cinema , and this September a local cineclube resurrects the musical with a queer twist, inviting LGBTQIAPN+ audiences to a lively programme of six feature films, debates, vogue performance, popcorn and soft drinks across three neighbourhood venues.

Essential Takeaways

  • Dates and theme: The 7th edition runs 3–23 September, titled "Strange, Eccentric, Exceptional: Queer Musical Cinema."
  • Six feature films: A diverse slate spans eras and styles, from cult midnight fare to contemporary Afrofuturist musical cinema.
  • Venues: Screenings are at Teatro do Mundo, CUFA, and the finale at Capivas Cervejaria , small, social settings with a party feel.
  • Events: Each screening includes mediation or debates, popcorn and soft drinks; opening features a House of Quimera vogue performance.
  • Closing celebration: The festival ends with a short film, DJ set and a communal, celebratory atmosphere.

A cult classic kicks things off , expect glitter and audience energy

The show opens on 3 September at Teatro do Mundo with The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a film that still smells of hairspray and midnight revelry. According to museum and cinema guides, Rocky Horror thrives as interactive cinema, so expect call-outs, props and a boisterous crowd. The organisers have booked House of Quimera to perform vogue, setting a performative tone that bridges screen and stage. If you love communal screenings, this is the one to mark , bring a sense of humour and possibly comfortable shoes for a post-film dance.

A careful curatorial mix: classics meet newer, risk-taking works

The programme pairs a decades-old vehicle of drag and camp with titles like Victor/Victoria, which screens twice, and cinema that leans experimental and political. The curators aim to map how musicals have been used for invention and resistance across geographies and eras. This kind of line-up helps viewers see continuities , how camp, gender play and musical staging recur even as aesthetics shift. If you’re choosing sessions, pick a mix: a classic for the communal vibe and a contemporary piece for fresh perspectives.

Venues and vibe: intimate theatres and a brewery finale

Screenings take place across Teatro do Mundo and CUFA, with the final party at Capivas Cervejaria. Small venues mean a warmer, more immediate experience; the CUFA screening of Victor/Victoria gives a chance to catch the film in a community-focused space. The brewery closure promises a looser, festival-like wind-down with Scorpio Rising and a DJ set. Practically, arrive early to grab a seat and enjoy the free popcorn and soft drinks , it’s the kind of outing that feels like Saturday night, but affordable.

Events beyond the screen: debates, mediations and vogue performances

Each film is followed by mediation and debate, turning passive viewing into conversation. That format suits films that interrogate gender and identity; audiences can unpack representation, choreography and soundtrack choices with moderators. The vogue performance at opening and the DJ at closing create bookends that remind you the festival is as much about live queer culture as it is about movies. If you’re curious, bring questions , these sessions are designed for exchange, not lecturing.

Who will this festival most appeal to , and why it matters now

The show is aimed at LGBTQIAPN+ audiences and allies who enjoy music, spectacle and political storytelling. In a moment when queer visibility is both broader and contested, a focused festival like this foregrounds community histories and contemporary creativity. It’s also a good pick for film fans who prefer screenings with context , the mediations and catalogue essays mean you’ll leave with more than memories: you’ll have language to talk about what you saw. Think of it as cultural nourishment with popcorn on the side.

It's a small programme with heart , pick a night, bring a friend, and let the music do the talking.

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