The 26th London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival opens in style today with the English premiere of Olympia Dukakis comedy Cloudburst and a party at the Riverfront Bar expected to last late into the night. Following last year's low-budget, somewhat muted event, this one brings back all the glitz and glamour that regular attendees had come to expect.
With its theme of 'Explode your Expectations', this year's line-up features some genuinely challenging films, from disturbing and heartbreaking South African drama Beauty and queer punk documentary The Ballad Of Genesis And Lady Jaye. Retrospectives include a chance to see Marlene Dietrich doing drag in Morocco and there's a strong shorts film programme. There's also clubbing, cabaret, a glam rock night and even ballroom dancing to keep you on your toes.
The festival will run until April 1 in the BFI Southbank.
