QUEERTACTICS 2026

Cherished audience, esteemed friends, distinguished collaborators, dear lovers of queer_feminist cinema!

It’s that time again! It is with great joy and pride that we present the program of our 7th festival edition! Once again, truly exciting queer cinema comes from Brazil. We’re celebrating the Austrian premiere of LONDON, the first feature by the directing duo Victor Di Marco and Márcio Picoli, which just won the Queer Lion at the Venice International Film Festival. In vibrant colors—sometimes soft and tender, sometimes loud and clear—the film unfolds a cinematic aesthetic that feels as if you’re breathing freely for the first time—and gives bodies, with and without disabilities, the space to unfold in every possible direction and way of being. Daniel Ribeiro’s EU VOU TER SAUDADES DE VOCÊ (I AM GOING TO MISS YOU), on the other hand, tells the story of two trans lovers who move into their first apartment together and, as their new daily routine takes shape, (have to) discover themselves in unexpected ways. The short films MIGUÉ (TRICK) and COMUNHÃO (COMMUNION), on the other hand, delight with joyful lesbian escapades.

This year, more films than usual in our program focus on trans ways of life. Given the anti-gender policies of authoritarian movements worldwide, the attacks on bodily self-determination all women and trans people are facing, and the rise in gender-based violence, it is particularly important to us this year to send a clear message of trans_feminist solidarity. Feminist struggles and trans struggles have always shared a common goal, one that seems more important today than ever: We want a good life for everyone, beyond gender norms, heteronormativity, ableism, classism, and racism. We’re in this together! Seven simply stunning femmenelle in BALLATA FEMMENELLA introduce Europe’s oldest trans community in Naples! CUIDADORAS follows three trans women in Argentina who not only care for one another but also earn a living by lovingly caring for the elderly in a nursing home. The already mentioned EU VOU TER SAUDADES DE VOCÊ (I AM GOING TO MISS YOU) offers us a glimpse into the everyday reality of trans life . In addition, we are absolutely thrilled to present the newly restored version of BY HOOK AND BY CROOK to mark its 25th anniversary! As the first of its kind, Harry Dodge‘s and Silas Howard‘s butch and trans buddy film remains a masterpiece of queer cinema and a legend in its very own right! VIRAGES (SUMMER DRIFT) is a lighthearted, lively, funny, uplifting, and at the same time rebellious film whose protagonist is simply mesmerizing! And some of the fantastic short films by Annette Kennerley—who is traveling to Vienna especially for us—also make the continuity of trans_feminist collaboration visible and tangible.

Furthermore, we are especially delighted to present the Austrian premiere of BARBARA FOREVER. This Teddy Award-winning documentary is dedicated to the experimental filmmaker Barbara Hammer, whose work since the 1970s has radically expanded the variety of lesbian and queer self-representation in film. And of course, we’re not stopping at the documentary about Barbara Hammer. We’ve spared no expense or effort to bring you a program of selected 16mm shorts by the filmmaker! It‘s sure to be a splendid cinema party.

Speaking of party: We want to celebrate with you! On Friday, November 13, 2025, we’ll be opening our queer-feminist doors and gates at the FLUCC starting at 8 p.m.. Four DJs will be spinning enchanting tunes that are sure to get you dancing—interrupted only by a live performance by Phaedra, which we’re already super excited about.

As in the previous years, the grand finale of QUEERTACTICS will be the gala screening at the Breitenseer Lichtspiele, featuring the presentation of the GOLDEN MEDUSA 2026. You can once again look forward to a spectacular shortlist including this year‘s outstanding winning pieces and our fabulous jury: Moira Hille, Tonica Hunter and Mzamo Nondlwana. Needless to say, afterwards there will be drinks and music, and we’ll be toasting the winners of the evening, ourselves, and you, our esteemed audience.