KuirFest Berlin 2019 Parties
This year, Pembe Hayat KuirFest visited Berlin for the second time with its programme “KuirFest Berlin: Queer Feminist Rebels” between 23 May - 7 June 2019 at Wedding’s open project space bi’bak.
Turkey’s one and only queer film festival has been travelling since it is banned in the original city Ankara. As an act of transgressing boundaries against the ban, KuirFest aimed at (re)creating space for transnational solidarity by becoming a mobil festival. Queer Feminist Rebels, curated by Esra Özban and Esma Akyel from Pembe Hayat KuirFest, gathered documentary, fiction, shorts, web-series and experimental works by female, non-binary and trans filmmakers; an invitation to a rebellious engagement with dominant modes of filmmaking and mainstream LGBTI+ representations.
Artwork by Rüzgâr Buşki
In collaboration with Gazino Neukölln and with the generous support of Musicboard Berlin, KuirFest Berlin hosted opening and closing parties to celebrate this rebellious gathering. The opening party hosted prominent lubun performers and DJs from Istanbul; Korospular, Şevval Kılıç, Samy Winehouse and ElifKK at SO36.
Korospular, photo by Virgina De, 23.5.19 @ SO36
The closing party at Ostkreuz’s trans-feminist DIY venue Raumerweiterungshalle was a great spectacle hosting live performances of Ebow, Säye Skye, Alice Dee, Leila A., Gesa, 6zm, Gazino Neukölln; the DJs sets by creo_en_todo and T**lin (queeriental) and the drag performances by Cupid, Old Man Glanda and Smooth Operator.
Ebow, photo by Ceren Saner, 7.6.19 @ Raumerweiterungshalle
By gathering prominent lubun energy from different backgrounds, KuirFest Berlin parties aimed at creating a space that strengthens the ties between queers in diaspora and empowers networks across borders with glitter and joy.
ElifKK, photo by Ceren Saner, 23.5.19 @ SO36