São Paulo Film Festival Showcases Global LGBTQ+ Cinema

LGBTQ+ stories from Ukraine, Cuba, Nepal and Brazil are being showcased at the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival, with filmmakers exploring relationships, identity and the experiences of queer communities around the world. The Brazilian event runs from 15 to 29 October 2026, bringing international cinema to venues across São Paulo.

Among this year's films are stories about queer relationships during wartime, a gay choreographer living in Cuba and trans women navigating life in rural Nepal. Brazilian productions are also represented, including films exploring romance, prejudice and personal freedom in different parts of the country.

Ukrainian film explores a relationship during war

I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming brings a Ukrainian queer relationship to the festival programme against the backdrop of the country's ongoing war. The film explores the personal experiences of a couple living through circumstances shaped by conflict and uncertainty.

Its inclusion offers a different perspective from the political and military developments that dominate international coverage of Ukraine. By focusing on the lives of queer characters, the film gives audiences an opportunity to consider how relationships and personal identity continue to matter during a national crisis.

The festival also includes Cherri, a production centred on a gay choreographer living in Cuba. Its setting and central character introduce audiences to another cultural perspective, with the story examining queer experience through the life of a creative professional.

Nepalese drama follows trans women in a rural village

Elephants in the Fog is among the programme's international LGBTQ+ selections, bringing the experiences of trans women in Nepal to the screen. Set in a rural village associated with wild elephants, the film explores questions of identity, relationships and personal responsibility.

The film follows Pirati, a trans woman who dreams of leaving her circumstances behind and building a different future with the man she loves. However, the disappearance of her daughter forces her to confront a difficult choice involving her hopes and family responsibilities.

The rural setting offers a perspective that differs from the urban environments frequently associated with international LGBTQ+ cinema. The story places its central character within a particular community, allowing her personal circumstances and relationships to shape the narrative.

Brazilian films explore love and prejudice

The festival's Brazilian selections include A Margem do Rio, which follows a relationship between a general services worker and a fisherman in the mangrove landscapes surrounding Recife. The coastal environment forms an important part of the story, connecting the relationship to the communities and landscapes of northeastern Brazil.

Another production, A Professora de Francês, follows a woman returning to the neighbourhood where she grew up. Her homecoming brings her into contact with prejudice within the local community, creating a story about identity, memory and belonging.

These productions demonstrate the variety of LGBTQ+ stories emerging from Brazil, with filmmakers looking beyond familiar settings and established narratives. They also sit alongside international films examining queer life in different cultural and social circumstances.

Where can audiences watch the films?

The 50th São Paulo International Film Festival continues until 29 October, with screenings taking place across cinemas and cultural venues in the city. Individual dates and ticket availability depend on each film's programme listing.

For international viewers, further festival appearances or distribution announcements will determine whether the films become available outside Brazil. UK cinema and streaming releases have not been confirmed for the titles highlighted here.

The international selection introduces audiences to LGBTQ+ stories shaped by different languages, communities and personal experiences. From the coastal landscapes of Brazil to rural Nepal and wartime Ukraine, the programme demonstrates how queer filmmakers continue to explore relationships and identity through a wide range of subjects.