• The 24th edition of QFF Mezipatra will feature a total of 69 films. Ten feature films from around the world will compete for the main jury award. Highly anticipated films include the French melodrama Passages,  the study of human relationships Bones and Names (Knochen und Namen), and the Brazilian film from the Locarno Film Festival Rule 34 (Regra 34).
• The festival will take place from November 2nd to 9th in Prague and from November 10th to 17th in Brno. 
• Festival season passes are available at a discounted price until October 21st.

 

The 24th edition of the Mezipatra Queer Film Festival finds itself at Crossroads. This year's theme alludes to everyday small decisions, as well as major life intersections that can unexpectedly alter our lives. The audience can explore 24 feature films and 45 short films. The festival's grand opening will take place on November 2nd at 7:00 PM at the Lucerna cinema with the Italian love story of two seventeen-year-olds Fireworks (Stranizza d'amuri), based on true events, immersing viewers in the story of a forbidden love between two young men in 1980s Italy, complicated by the strongly homophobic environment of a Sicilian town.

The program also features the critically acclaimed French film Passages about a seemingly content married couple whose harmony is disrupted by Martin's encounter with the charming Agathe. The film explores the complex dynamics of romantic relationships, honesty, and erotic tension, earning it a nomination for the Teddy Award at the Berlinale and the Audience Award at the Sunny Bunny Festival.

"If I had to pick just one of the feature films, I would recommend the debut of Spanish director Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren, '20,000 Species of Bees.' It portrays three generations of women during one hot summer, each trying to deal with their relationships defined by family history. At its center is eight-year-old Lucía, whose identity transformation is hard for the other women to absorb. Sofia Otero received the Silver Bear for her role as Lucía, becoming the youngest actress in Berlinale's history to do so," says program coordinator Kristýna Genttnerová.

The German film Bones and Names (Knochen und Namen) by Fabian Stumm, in his feature film debut, delves into the lives of Boris, an actor, who becomes entangled in a web of romantic experiences and entanglements while preparing for a film. On the other hand, Jonathan, a novelist, creates a tragic melodrama about two familiar characters in his novel. 

The directorial and screenwriting debut of Georgia Oakley, Blue Jean, tells the story of a gym teacher who hides her true identity to keep her job during the era of Margaret Thatcher's rule. She finds herself in a schizophrenic life between school and a lesbian bar, with the dilemma of whether to intervene in the bullying of a lesbian student or protect her career.

The Mexican film All the Silence (Todo el silencio) shows what it's like to gradually lose one's hearing and the ability to perceive the world as we're accustomed to. Miriam is a music lover, a theater actress, and a sign language teacher. But as everything familiar to her ears gradually turns into a vague muffled noise, her entire life is turned upside down.

Brazilian drama Rule 34 (Regra 34) shows a story of a passionate advocate for domestic violence victims during the day, and a webcam sex worker and model by night. The film, which explores erotic experimentation, freedom, and the complexities of owning one's body, earned director Julia Murat the Golden Leopard at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival.

The documentary Porn Melancholy (Pornomelancolía) follows Lala, a porn influencer who, despite professional success, feels insatiable sorrow in his private life. Kokomo City explores the lives of sex workers, offering firsthand accounts from four spirited and candid trans African-American women, where no topic is taboo.

The program also includes a retrospective, a short film competition, distribution films from Queer Kino, and a rich accompanying program. In addition to parties, there's a section not just for film professionals called "Queering the Industry," but also people who would like to learn more about the audiovisual industry.

 

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION OF FEATURE FILMS

 

20,000 Species of Bees (20,000 especies de abejas) - Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren - Spain, 2023 

All the Silence (Todo el silencio) - Diego del Río - México, 2023 

A Song Sung Blue (Xiao Bai Chuan) - Zihan Geng - China, 2023 

Blue Jean - Georgia Oakley - UK, 2022 

Bones and Names (Knochen und Namen) - Fabian Stumm - Germany, 2023 

Fireworks (Stranizza d'amuri) - Giuseppe Fiorello - Italy, 2022

Passages - Ira Sachs - France, 2023 

Peafowl (Gong-jak-sae) - Sung-bin Byun - South Korea, 2022 

Rule 34 (Regra 34) - Júlia Murat - Brazil, France, 2022 

Smalltown Boys (Des garçons de province) - Gaël Lépingle - France, 2022