The British Film Institute's annual Lesbian and Gay Film Festival opened Wednesday night in central London.
According to PinkNews, The British Film Institute's 24th annual Lesbian and Gay Film Festival officially began with the world premiere of The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister who has been described at Britain's "first modern lesbian."
The BBC-backed drama, about a lesbian couple struggling to maintain a romance in 19th century England, was screened at last night's opening gala receiving roaring applause. Lister (1791-1840) painstakingly recorded her love affairs in more than four million words. Much of her sexual experiences were written in secret code and were only cracked in the late-20th century.
With more than 75 films and documentaries are being screened, the festival is now the third biggest film festival in the UK.
Other films to be shown include I Killed My Mother by 20-year-old Xavier Dolan, and Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls, Leanne Pooley's award-winning documentary about Jools and Lynda Topp, the folk-singing lesbian twins and national celebrities in New Zealand.
The festival hosts short films, club nights, events and networking opportunities.
The BFI festival runs for two weeks until March 31.
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