About the festival

Queer Wave is an annual LGBTQIA+ film festival held in Nicosia, Cyprus - a celebration of stories that dare to disrupt anything that limits our imagination.

Moonlight
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Call Me by Your Name
Carol
The Handmaiden
Brokeback Mountain
Happy Together
Paris Is Burning
Blue Is the Warmest Colour
My Own Private Idaho
Tangerine
Closet Monster
Mulholland Drive
Moonlight
Moonlight
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Call Me by Your Name
Carol
The Handmaiden
Brokeback Mountain
Happy Together
Paris Is Burning
Blue Is the Warmest Colour
My Own Private Idaho
Tangerine
Closet Monster
Mulholland Drive
Moonlight

Our Mission

Amplifying voices that cinema forgot.

We provide a safe, inclusive space where diverse stories can be shared and celebrated. Through the power of film, Queer Wave seeks to foster empathy, challenge prejudice, and spark meaningful conversations.

Beyond screenings, we organize workshops, panel discussions, and networking events to support emerging LGBTQIA+ filmmakers and creatives across the Mediterranean — building bridges between Cyprus and the world.

Moonlight — a defining film of queer cinema

Cinema challenges conventions

Stories of identities, love, and becoming.

350+

Films Screened

3K+

Yearly Attendees

36+

Countries Represented

Our Story

From a modest gathering of cinephiles intoCyprus's longest film festival experience

Since its inception in 2020, Queer Wave has grown from a modest gathering of cinephiles into Cyprus's longest film festival experience: 10 uninterrupted days of queer cinema and community. Featuring award-winning international films, up and coming local artists and groundbreaking interdisciplinary happenings.

Our festival has proudly showcased hundreds of films, welcomed international guests, and played a pivotal role in establishing a thriving queer cultural ecosystem in Nicosia and beyond. Its long-term goal is to celebrate, empower, challenge and stimulate – within and beyond queer circles, creating ripples through cinema and the arts.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Call Me by Your Name
Carol
The Handmaiden
Brokeback Mountain
Happy Together
Explore Our Cinema
Moonlight — screened at Queer Wave FestivalPortrait of a Lady on Fire — screened at Queer Wave FestivalCall Me by Your Name — screened at Queer Wave FestivalCarol — screened at Queer Wave FestivalThe Handmaiden — screened at Queer Wave FestivalBrokeback Mountain — screened at Queer Wave FestivalHappy Together — screened at Queer Wave FestivalParis Is Burning — screened at Queer Wave FestivalBlue Is the Warmest Colour — screened at Queer Wave FestivalMy Own Private Idaho — screened at Queer Wave FestivalTangerine — screened at Queer Wave FestivalCloset Monster — screened at Queer Wave FestivalMulholland Drive — screened at Queer Wave Festival

Visibility

We create space for queer stories that are too often invisible in mainstream cinema — centering voices from the margins.

Community

More than a film festival. We build lasting connections between filmmakers, activists, and audiences across the Mediterranean.

Liberation

Every screening is an act of resistance. We champion cinema that imagines freer, more joyful ways of being.

Join the Queer Wave
community today.

Become part of a movement celebrating LGBTQIA+ cinema. Support our mission to bring diverse stories to the big screen.