XPOSED Queer Film Festival Berlin

The XPOSED Queer Film Festival Berlin runs May 21 to May 31, 2026. This year's its 20th anniversary, a big one for a festival that's spent two decades showing and documenting queer life through film.

XPOSED started small, then grew into a proper cultural event. It’s always shown both new and old queer cinema, tracing how LGBTQ+ stories get told. They're known for films that make you think, that push conversations. It's a key date for film buffs and the queer community, drawing people from everywhere who want to see good, provocative storytelling.

For its 20th, the 2026 festival will be bigger. Expect more than just films—shorts, features, docs, experimental stuff from all over. They're doing a film retrospective, too, looking back at queer cinema's big moments over the last two decades, and XPOSED's part in it.

An exhibition is planned. You'll find visual art, photos, and old materials tied to queer film and culture. Live performances are on the schedule: music, spoken word, maybe drag, all linked to the festival’s themes. Workshops, too, where you can talk to filmmakers, critics, and activists.

Festival venues tend to be spread out in Berlin, in different cultural spots and independent cinemas. Past festivals used places known for being artistic and open, easy to get to, and generally fun.

Book your hotel early. This anniversary will bring bigger crowds. Kreuzberg, Schöneberg, and Neukölln are good bets for LGBTQ+ travelers. They've got good queer scenes, plenty of places to eat, and they're close to where things happen. You’ll find nightlife, restaurants, and Berlin’s public transport is excellent, so getting between venues is easy.

Tickets for individual screenings, special events, and passes usually come out a few months before the festival. Keep an eye on the official XPOSED website for news and early bird deals.

XPOSED feels inclusive, smart. It draws filmmakers, critics, students, artists, and queer cinema fans from everywhere. It’s a place for open discussion, for really digging into film, and for celebrating all kinds of queer identities.