BFI Flare 2026: Russell T Davies, Callum Scott Howells and Ty Tennant lead 40th anniversary with record audiences
From Heated Rivalry’s Kaden Connors to Madfabulous’s Scott Howells, BFI Flare 2026 saw its attendance increase by 32 per cent
By Aaron Sugg
The 40th anniversary of BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival saw a landmark year, attracting global stars and an audience of over 41,283.
With over 250 filmmakers and guests attending, Attitude held exclusive interviews with festival attendees including Heated Rivalry star Kaden Connors, Madfabulous star Callum Scott Howells and Every Time I See a Yellow Car star Ty Tennant.
The festival screened 65 feature films and 63 short films from 48 countries, including 31 world premieres, with overall attendance increasing by 32 per cent.
How did BFI Flare 2026 begin?
It all started on 18 March with the opening night world premiere of Hunky Jesus, attended by director Jennifer Kroot and cast including Sister Roma.
Notably, Russell T Davies gave a career Screen Talk, sharing an exclusive clip from his upcoming show Tip Toe featuring Alan Cumming, exploring LGBTQIA+ representation in Manchester.
Aside from his upcoming TV series, he also spoke about the return of queer cult classic It’s A Sin, set to be adapted for the stage.
How is It’s A Sin returning?
The series, which followed a group of young gay men during the HIV/AIDS crisis in 1980s London, is being reimagined by Rambert, with Davies and Pet Shop Boys attached as executive producers.
Davies told Attitude: “Rambert approached us and they’d done the stage version of Peaky Blinders, which was actually absolutely beautiful, which has finished in theatres.”
Ahead of the 2027 release, he continued: “This seemed like a perfect marriage of visuals and ambition and love. They love the material, that’s the point of it. And so we’re very excited. It’s going to take a while.”
Callum Scott Howells attended the Madfabulous word premiere at BFI Flare 2026
Another highlight from this year’s LGBTQ+ film festival was the world premiere of Madfabulous, starring Callum Scott Howells and Rupert Everett.
Directed by Celyn Jones, the Madfabulous biopic follows the life of the late Welsh aristocrat Henry Paget, exploring his extravagant, flamboyant life, challenging gender norms and his fortune-aided soirées.
Speaking exclusively to Attitude at the world premiere, leading actor Howells described getting into the queer role.
Who inspired Howells in his role as Henry Paget in Madfabulous?
“You can’t help but think for [David] Bowie, Ziggy Stardust, Mark Bolan,” he said. “[How] these kind of figures in history… presented themselves was kind of so unique and have had such a kind of cultural impact.”
“I wanted to kind of go for it with this film, because we could, and that’s what Henry kind of deserves,” the actor added.
As part of BFI Flare’s Fragment screenings, a collection of UK shorts, Attitude spoke to David Tennant‘s son, Ty, as he stars in the emotional queer thriller Every Time I See a Yellow Car.
What is Every Time I See a Yellow Car about?
Written and produced by Matt Chandler, based on his own experiences with sexual assault, the film follows Olly (Tennant), a man haunted by a childhood tragedy, and alongside his brother Liam (Sam Buchanan), the pair find themselves spiralling into the chaos of revenge.
“There are moments of liberation and freedom for him, but it sort of, in those moments, it’s always kind of malnourished,” he said.
He told Attitude he found comfort filming in queer spaces, such as the gay nightclub scene in the film, affirming himself as an LGBTQ+ ally.
“I just think there’s such a beauty in it” – Ty Tennant on LGBTQ+ allyship
“I don’t understand why there’s so much outrage about it,” said the 23-year-old. “I just think there’s such a beauty in it.”
From across the pond, Canadian actor Kaden Connors teased his return as Sasha in Heated Rivalry series 2 at BFI Flare, while starring as Jovi in the queer dark comedy Lunar Sway.
The 40th anniversary concluded with the UK premiere of Black Burns Fast, directed by Sandulela Asanda.
Where is BFI Flare?
The festival took place at BFI Southbank, London, and is set to host their 41st anniversary next year. For more information about the 2026 event, please visit the official BFI Flare website.