Joyland, The Divide, Frida & More: Here’s A Look Back At FIVE LGBTQ+ Films That Represented Queer At Cannes

Cannes Film Festival: Hailed as one of the biggest film festivals across the globe, the Cannes Film Festival is quickly approaching yet again. The much-anticipated event kick starts tomorrow, May 16, and will go until May 27 along the French Riviera.

Along with some high-profile presentations of mainstream films, the Cannes Film Festival also celebrates LGBQ+ films that compete for the Queer Palm. For the uninitiated, 'Queer Palm' was established in 2010, however, it is not an official award of the festival organization. The award is independently funded to recognize films for their treatment of LGBTQ+ themes.

Some LGBTQ+ films also compete for the festival's biggest prize in prestigious glory: the Palme d'Or.

As we inch closer to D-day, here is a list of some of the best LGBTQ+ films that made an impact at the Cannes Festival over the last few years.

Joyland: The first Pakistani film to premiere at the festival, Joyland took the Cannes Film Festival by storm in 2022. Joyland also marked Saim Sadiq's feature film directorial debut. Set in Lahore, Pakistan.

The film narrates the story of the youngest son in a traditional family who joins an erotic dance theatre and falls for a trans woman from his dance troupe. The film won the Queer Palm and the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at Cannes. Joyland also enjoyed an 8-minute long standing ovation after its premiere at the film festival.