To be loved, we tell lies to make ourselves more appealing; to be accepted, we sculpt ourselves into shapes that others recognise. On stage, performance becomes a refuge to rehearse the self we ache to inhabit. From drag to forbidden kisses, funeral rites to genderbending opera, roles are imposed, stolen, resisted—until they breathe through us. Between stage and life, secrecy and exposure, fiction and documentary, what begins as acting slowly becomes being.
Curatorial idea by Shimeng Wang, as part of Up Next: Future Film Curators Lab 2025/26
Butterfly Lovers
Two spirits reimagine the ancient legend of the Butterfly Lovers.
dir. Lei Jiang | China, UK | 2025 | 4min
The Red Kiss
Two teenage girls develop a deep intimacy while rehearsing for their school play.
dir. Steve Li & Amy Chan | Hong Kong | 2025 | 24min
Chengdu Rainbow
A group of queer friends gather to rebuild a LGBTQ+ organisation.
dir. River Lee | China | 2024 | 24min
The Wind in Ash
A tomboy returns to their hometown for a funeral, sparking a journey of self-discovery.
dir. Sun Kun | China | 2025 | 18min
Sotong
Four Malaysian drag queens revisit the fallout of a police raid.
dir. Zinc Chew | Malaysia | 2024 | 25min
Someone special
Lisa lies about speaking fluent Vietnamese to impress her date.
dir. Alice Gervat | France | 2024 | 8min
Content notes: contains scenes of violence and references to suicide.
As part of Queer East 2026, a cross-disciplinary festival that showcases boundary-pushing LGBTQ+ cinema, live arts, and moving image work from East and Southeast Asia and its diaspora communities.
