Sweden’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival is back, and this year’s edition is bolder, sharper and more daring than ever! From 29 September to 5 October 2025, Cinema Queer returns for its 15th anniversary edition, bringing a packed programme of screenings, performances, talks, and parties to various venues across the Open City. Whether you’re a die-hard cinephile, an art enthusiast, or a curious traveller looking to get under the skin of Stockholm’s creative queer scene, this week-long festival is not to be missed.
The backstory
When Cinema Queer first launched in 2010, founders Elisabeth Marjanović Cronvall and Anna Linder set out to create a space for LGBTQ+ stories that weren’t reaching the big screen in Sweden. What began as a grassroots festival has since grown into a city-wide event with international reach, giving voice to filmmakers and communities that often sit outside the mainstream.
Over the past fifteen years, the festival has screened everything from indie debuts to cult classics, often in unconventional venues that brilliantly blur the line between cinema, performance, and nightlife. That willingness to experiment has shaped its reputation as one of Stockholm’s most original cultural fixtures, drawing in both locals and global visitors year after year.
The festival agenda
This year’s programme stretches across a full seven days, with films, performances, and late-night happenings scattered through venues all over the city. Things kick off on Monday 29 September at the Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, where Diego Céspedes’ The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo sets the tone on opening night, followed by a celebratory mingle beneath the museum’s vaulted ceilings.
From there, the action shifts into Slakthusområdet, Stockholm’s cultural quarter, which will host everything from experimental shorts to sex-positive screenings. Friday’s BDSM Shorts and Saturday’s Dyke Hard sing-along – complete with trivia, a DJ set, and a club that runs until dawn – promise to be crowd-pullers. Over at Galleri Korvfabriken, you’ll find the tongue-in-cheek Homografiska Museet open nightly alongside performance art and exhibitions, while Accelerator and MDT add an arthouse edge with installations, talks, and live drag.
The week rounds off on Sunday 5 October with a closing line-up tailor-made for cult fans, including Lesbian Space Princess, Salomé, and Liquid Sky, before the festival signs off with a blow-out party in true Cinema Queer style.
When the credits roll
When you’re not in the screening room, Stockholm has plenty to keep you busy (and full) between showings. Start on Södermalm at Riche Fenix: a buzzy bar-restaurant from the Riche family with globally influenced small plates and a serious cocktail list. It’s lively and easygoing – ideal for a pre-film bite or a post-panel debrief that can easily run late. If the weather plays ball, Pelago is the move: a rooftop restaurant and bar at Slussen with a wide terrace and big-sky views over the waterways. Sunsets here are particularly special; arrive early to snag a table and let the city unfurl below you.
To keep momentum between screenings, head to ABBA The Museum on Djurgården for an interactive deep dive into one of Sweden’s biggest cultural exports, or cross over to the Vasa Museum, where the 1628 warship (more than 98% original) offers a glimpse into the country’s maritime history. Both are easy to fold into a festival day and deliver very different flavours of “only-in-Stockholm.”
If you’re in the mood for dancing and romancing, strut your way over to The Blue Oyster. Known for its fashionable crowd, karaoke nights, and a rooftop that draws people in when the weather’s good, it’s one of the city’s most reliable queer hangouts. When you’re ready to go big, Club Backdoor (AKA “the best gay club north of Ibiza”) near Tele2 Arena brings the full club experience with multiple dance floors and a booming sound system.
Need somewhere to stay while you’re here for Cinema Queer? Explore our curated list of LGBTQ+-welcoming hotels to find your perfect base.
For the full programme and ticket details, head to www.cinemaqueer.se