AGENDA BCN
Barcelona's Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
When:Oct 2007 (annual)
Where:Mercat de les Flors
Barcelona's Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, held principally at the Mercat de Les Flors, is one of the major highlights of the Catalonian queer calendar.
The event was born out of a frustration at there being few opportunities in the city to see movies that had a non-commercial format, were underground in origin or contained a homosexual theme. It has now become truly international and while most films are screened in their original language, the subtitles are in Catalan.
There are awards for best short film and best feature film, and the people's choice takes precedence as the audience get to vote for their favourites.
The programme usually includes five sections: Official Features and Official Short Films, the Stonewall Section, the Thematic Section and the Special Sessions. For full details of the 2006 programme, please visit the Gay Barcelona website.
Homosexuality was decriminalised in Spain in 1978 and gay and lesbian Spaniards have been quick to express every aspect of sexuality. Summer sees Gay Pride hit the Catalan capital, a city which has enjoyed more tolerance over the years than many other major cities in Spain.