To be loved, we tell lies to make ourselves more appealing; to be accepted, we sculpt ourselves into shapes that others recognise. On stage, performance becomes a refuge to rehearse the self we ache to inhabit. From drag to forbidden kisses, funeral rites to genderbending opera, roles are imposed, stolen, resisted—until they breathe through us. Between stage and life, secrecy and exposure, fiction and documentary, what begins as acting slowly becomes being.

Curatorial idea by Shimeng Wang, as part of Up Next: Future Film Curators Lab 2025/26

Butterfly Lovers

Two spirits reimagine the ancient legend of the Butterfly Lovers.

dir. Lei Jiang | China, UK | 2025 | 4min

The Red Kiss

Two teenage girls develop a deep intimacy while rehearsing for their school play.

dir. Steve Li & Amy Chan | Hong Kong | 2025 | 24min

Chengdu Rainbow

A group of queer friends gather to rebuild a LGBTQ+ organisation.

dir. River Lee | China | 2024 | 24min

The Wind in Ash

A tomboy returns to their hometown for a funeral, sparking a journey of self-discovery.

dir. Sun Kun | China | 2025 | 18min

Sotong

Four Malaysian drag queens revisit the fallout of a police raid.

dir. Zinc Chew | Malaysia | 2024 | 25min

Someone special

Lisa lies about speaking fluent Vietnamese to impress her date.

dir. Alice Gervat | France | 2024 | 8min

Content notes: contains scenes of violence and references to suicide.

As part of Queer East 2026, a cross-disciplinary festival that showcases boundary-pushing LGBTQ+ cinema, live arts, and moving image work from East and Southeast Asia and its diaspora communities.