Florence Queer Festival 2026 – Italy

• November 18, 2026
  Event date:
• November 22, 2026
  Event end:

What to expect

Tuscany’s Premier Queer Festival: Organized by IREOS, The Florence Queer Festival is one of most important festivals in Tuscany dedicated to queer culture. Festival was launched in 2003, and celebrates films and videos, theatre and photography, and literature that represent spheres of gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, and intersex life, queer identity something that is constantly in movement and evolving, while intending to transcend stereotypes that have been long enforced. Founded in 2003, festival hosts feature films, documentaries and short films, as well as talks, panels, live performances and social events.

Most Important Tuscan Event: Today it’s most important Tuscan event dedicated to queer video, cinema, theatre, photography, literature and costumes: gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and all other identities. Formed in 2003 as small four-day local event at Teatro Puccini, thanks to skill of IREOS and passion of public, it has gradually transformed into one of most important LGBT events in Italy. Visual arts are powerful, sometimes more immediate, means of opening mind, raising awareness and creating social responsibility.

50 Days of Cinema: Festival is now vast archive of high-quality video-cinematographic material of great international scope that interests wide-ranging audience. Cinema Odeon becoming part of its 50-day-long International Film Festival, and now Cinema La Compagnia is main venue. Festival part of 50 Days of Cinema in Florence initiative, offered five days of events and screenings spanning activism, trans and non-binary narratives, intersexuality, and moments of irony such as original queer-horror-themed closing event.

Festival dates

Festival Period: 18 to 22 November, 2026. The 24th edition will take place over five days, from November 18 to 22, 2026. Previous editions: 22nd edition took place November 27 to December 1 2024 at Cinema La Compagnia, 23rd edition November 26-30 2025. Now in its 23rd and 24th edition, program features international films, short films, talks, masterclasses.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venues & event locations

Cinema La Compagnia: Main venue Cinema La Compagnia, Via Cavour 50/R, Florence, historic cinema in center of Florence. Hosts feature films, documentaries, short films competition, talks, panels, and closing ceremony. Cinema La Compagnia is part of Fondazione Sistema Toscana.

Teatro Puccini and Teatro di Rifredi: Historic collaborators. Teatro Puccini was original venue in 2003 as small four-day local event. Teatro di Rifredi joined festival in 2008 with Queer Theater program, hosting theatre performances.

Other Florentine Partners: Spazio Uno, Cinema Alfieri, La Compagnia, IED Florence, Odeon Cinema becoming part of 50-day-long International Film Festival, La Compagnia, and other spaces on Florentine scene. Festival gathers many friends and collaborators on Florentine scene.

50 Days Venues: Festival part of 50 Days of Cinema in Florence initiative across various cinemas in Florence, with screenings at Cinema La Compagnia as main hub.

Full Pride programme

Cinema Core: Cinema, theater, art, literature are main core of program that FQF proposes to tell queer universe in constant movement and change to assert identity and counter stereotypes. Every year celebrates queer culture and LGBTIQ cinema with over thirty films focusing on equal rights and dignity of LGBT people. Selection includes captivating feature films, documentaries and Videoqueer competition for short films.

Theatre Programme: Appealing theatre programme with queer theater at Teatro di Rifredi and Teatro Puccini, featuring international and Italian companies exploring gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex experience and point of view.

Literature and Art: Book presentations, arts events, photography exhibitions, and talks exploring queer identity in continuous movement, contributing to breaking down stereotypes.

Activism and Themes: Screenings spanning activism, trans and non-binary narratives, intersexuality, and moments of irony such as original queer-horror-themed closing event. Festival aims to challenge stereotypes and showcase artistic and personal experiences of LGBTQIA+ community, serving as meeting point and space for dialogue.

Parade & main celebrations

Festival Celebrations: Unlike city-wide Pride parade, Florence Queer Festival main celebrations are centered at Cinema La Compagnia with red carpet, opening night, and closing ceremony with awards.

Community Gatherings: Organized by Ireos volunteer association based in Florence dedicated to well-being of Florence’s LGBTQ+ population, festival includes social events, aperitivi, and community gatherings in historic center.

Closing Event: Closing ceremony at Cinema La Compagnia with Best Short Film prize awarded, such as NYU Florence students jury awarding Mrs. McCutcheon, and queer-horror-themed closing events.

50 Days Integration: As part of 50 Days of Cinema, main celebrations integrate with broader Florence film culture, with events across November.

Featured performers & speakers

Filmmakers: International filmmakers presenting feature films, documentaries, short films, including pioneers like Barbara Hammer, Su Friedrich, Rose Troche, Cheryl Dunye, Yoruba Richen, Desiree Akhavan, and contemporary directors from over thirty films each edition.

NYU Collaboration: NYU Florence students participate as jury for Best Short Film Prize, meeting virtually with NYU Tisch School of Arts Film Professor Gail Segal, awarding films like Mrs. McCutcheon by Australian filmmaker John Sheedy exploring experience of ten year old Tom who feels born in wrong body.

Speakers: Talks and panels with activists, authors, artists, with book presentations and arts events. Caroline Berler presented latest film Dykes Camera Action at festival exploring history of filmmaking by lesbian filmmakers.

Local Organizers: Festival organized by IREOS association Self-managed Services Center for Queer Community of Florence, in collaboration with Arcilesbica Firenze and Music Pool, with contribution of Fondazione Sistema Toscana Regional Mediateca and patronage of Municipality of Florence.

Events & daily schedule

Daily Screenings: Daily program includes morning press screenings, afternoon feature films and documentaries, evening gala screenings, with over thirty films focusing on equal rights and dignity.

Theatre and Art: Daily theatre performances at Teatro di Rifredi, photography exhibitions, and literature presentations at Spazio Uno and other venues.

Talks and Panels: Panel discussions on activism, trans and non-binary narratives, intersexuality, with masterclasses for young videomakers and directors who present LGBT themed videos and films in front of jury.

Competitions: LGBT feature film and video competition every year launching competition for young videomakers, and Videoqueer national short films competition dedicated to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender universe, selected videos entering program.

Ticketed events

Cinema Tickets: Tickets for screenings at Cinema La Compagnia from previous editions around $8 to $12 per screening, with day passes around $20 to $28. Festival’s 22nd edition featured screenings, panel discussions, and special awards.

Theatre Tickets: Theatre performances at Teatro Puccini and Teatro di Rifredi around $15 to $25 per show.

Festival Pass: Full festival pass for five days from previous editions around $55 to $75, including access to all films, talks, and some theatre events.

Student Discounts: Special discounts for students, IED Florence students, and NYU Florence participants, with reduced tickets around $6.

50 Days Pass: 50 Days of Cinema in Florence pass includes Florence Queer Festival among other festivals, with combined tickets around $35 to $50.

Parties & nightlife

Queer Nightlife in Florence: Florence nightlife includes gay-friendly bars and clubs in Santa Croce and Santo Spirito areas, with special parties during festival week.

Festival Parties: Social events and parties organized by IREOS, with closing party after awards ceremony at Cinema La Compagnia, featuring DJ sets and queer performances.

Aperitivo Culture: Florentine aperitivo culture with bars around Cinema La Compagnia offering LGBTQ+ friendly gatherings during festival.

Themed Parties: Queer-horror-themed closing event and other ironic moments with performances, drag shows, and live music.

Community & advocacy events

IREOS Association: IREOS is self-managed Florentine queer community that created festival, organized by IREOS association Self-managed Services Center for Queer Community of Florence, in collaboration with Arcilesbica Firenze and Music Pool. IREOS is volunteer organization dedicated to well-being of Florence’s LGBTQ+ population.

Advocacy: Festival celebrates over thirty films focusing on equal rights and dignity of LGBT people, with activism themes, trans and non-binary narratives, intersexuality, promoting values of inclusion and diversity.

Educational: Festival serves as meeting point and space for dialogue, welcoming diverse audience and fostering greater awareness among spectators, with talks, panels, masterclasses.

Community Building: Through film, video, theater, photography, and literature, festival showcases gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex experience and point of view, explores queer identity in continuous movement, contributing to breaking down stereotypes.

Event rules & safety

Inclusive Space: Festival promotes inclusion and diversity, with safe space policy for LGBTQIA+ community and allies, respecting all identities.

Age: Some films may have age recommendations due to explicit content, with classification at box office.

Photography: No recording during screenings, respect for filmmakers’ rights, photography allowed during talks with permission.

Respect: Respectful behavior required, no discrimination, harassment policy enforced by IREOS volunteers.

Venue Rules: Cinema La Compagnia and theatre venues have standard cinema rules, no smoking, no outside food.

How to get there

By Train: Firenze Santa Maria Novella station is main hub, short walk or tram to Cinema La Compagnia Via Cavour 50/R. Trains from Rome, Milan, Bologna connect to Florence.

By Tram: Tram T1 and T2 serve Florence center, with stops near Via Cavour and Duomo, short walk to cinema.

By Bus: ATAF bus lines C1, C2, 6, 14 serve Via Cavour and historic center.

By Air: Florence Airport FLR and Pisa Airport PSA connect, with bus or tram to center, then walk to venue.

Walking: Cinema La Compagnia located in historic center, within walking distance of Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, about ten minutes from station.

Public transport & parking

Public Transport: ATAF and Tram operate in Florence, with tickets around $1.70 per ride or $5 for day pass. During festival, public transport runs until midnight.

Parking: Parking limited in historic center, with ZTL restricted traffic zone. Use parking garages at Parterre, Fortezza Fila, or Piazza Beccaria, with fees around $20 to $35 per day. Park-and-ride at Villa Costanza and take tram.

Bike and Scooter: Bike sharing and scooter rental available, but historic center cobblestones challenging.

Festival Shuttle: No official shuttle, but venues close together in historic center walkable.

Accommodation areas

Historic Center: Staying near Cinema La Compagnia in historic center offers proximity, with hotels like Grand Hotel Minerva centrally located within walking distance of Ponte Vecchio, Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, renowned for impeccable service, boasting ninety seven elegant rooms, ranging $180 to $350 per night.

Santa Croce and Duomo: Hotels around Duomo and Santa Croce offer tourist central location, $150 to $300 per night during November.

Oltrarno: Artistic area with boutique B&Bs and apartments, $90 to $180, popular with creative community.

University Area: More affordable options near University of Florence, $70 to $130, with bus connections.

Booking Advice: November is lower tourist season but festival attracts international visitors, book at least two months ahead for best rates near Cinema La Compagnia.

Food, drink & local venues

Florentine Cuisine: Florence offers Tuscan cuisine with bistecca alla fiorentina, ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, with average meal $30 to $60 per person near Duomo.

Queer-Friendly Bars: Bars in Santa Croce, Santo Spirito, and around Via Cavour are LGBTQ+ friendly, with aperitivo culture offering drink around $10 to $15 including buffet.

Cinema Bar: Cinema La Compagnia bar offers drinks and snacks between screenings, ideal for networking.

Street Food: Quick bites like lampredotto sandwich, gelato, and pizza slices $5 to $12 available near venue.

Wine: Tuscan wines like Chianti, Brunello, with wine bars offering tastings around $8 to $15 per glass.

Accessibility

Cinema La Compagnia: Cinema La Compagnia has accessible entrance, elevator, and accessible seating, with accessible restrooms.

Theatre Venues: Teatro Puccini and Teatro di Rifredi have varying accessibility, check in advance, with staff assistance available.

Historic Center: Historic center has cobblestones and some steps, but main venues accessible, with flat access to Cinema La Compagnia Via Cavour.

Subtitles: Films screened in original language with Italian and English subtitles, making accessible to international audience.

Inclusive: Festival promotes inclusive community, with efforts to ensure accessibility for diverse audience, welcoming diverse audience and fostering greater awareness.

Best events to attend

Opening and Closing: Opening night and closing ceremony at Cinema La Compagnia with Best Short Film prize awarding and queer-horror-themed closing event.

Feature Film Competition: Competition for young videomakers and directors presenting LGBT themed videos and films in front of jury, with over thirty films focusing on equal rights and dignity.

Videoqueer Shorts: National short films competition dedicated to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender universe, with selected videos entering program, showcasing diverse queer stories.

Theatre Program: Queer theater at Teatro di Rifredi and Teatro Puccini, with appealing theatre programme exploring queer identity.

Talks and Book Presentations: Book presentations, arts events, panel discussions on activism, trans and non-binary narratives, intersexuality, with masterclasses.

Previous year’s highlights

22nd Edition: 22nd edition November 27 to December 1 2024 at Cinema La Compagnia featured screenings, panel discussions, special awards, with program spanning activism, trans and non-binary narratives, intersexuality, and queer-horror-themed closing.

23rd Edition: 23rd edition November 26-30 2025 included international films, short films, talks, masterclasses, aiming to challenge stereotypes and showcase artistic and personal experiences of LGBTQIA+ community, serving as meeting point and space for dialogue, welcoming diverse audience.

NYU Collaboration: Previous editions featured NYU Florence students serving on jury awarding Best Short Film prize to Mrs. McCutcheon by John Sheedy exploring experience of ten year old Tom feeling born in wrong body, with full sensory experience, vibrant colors, beautiful cinematography, raw and honest representation of finding personal identity, importance of public normalization of queerness amongst youth.

Archive Growth: Festival now vast archive of high-quality video-cinematographic material of great international scope, with thirty plus films each edition, plus theatre, photography, literature.

Community Impact: Festival gradually transformed into one of most important LGBT events in Italy, gathering many friends and collaborators on Florentine scene, promoting inclusion and diversity, challenging stereotypes.

Official event information

Official Website: www.florencequeerfestival.it
Contact Phone: +39 347 758 8435
Contact Email: info@florencequeerfestival.it
Organizer: IREOS association Self-managed Services Center for Queer Community of Florence, in collaboration with Arcilesbica Firenze and Music Pool, with contribution of Fondazione Sistema Toscana Regional Mediateca and patronage of Municipality of Florence, part of 50 Days of Cinema in Florence initiative.
Main Venue: Cinema La Compagnia Via Cavour 50/R, Florence, plus Teatro Puccini, Teatro di Rifredi, Spazio Uno, Cinema Alfieri, IED Florence, Odeon Cinema.
Tickets: Single screening around $8 to $12, day pass $20 to $28, full festival pass $55 to $75, available at Cinema La Compagnia box office and online via official website. Student discounts available.

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