The Luststreifen Film Festival Basel is far more than an ordinary film festival – it is a space for connection, exchange, and exploration. Each year, the various venues in Basel transform into stages for queer film art and culture. With a program that is as diverse as it is explicit, the festival makes a bold stand against discrimination, underrepresentation, and social exclusion. Taboos are left behind at this festival, where everyone is welcome to bring their interests, fetishes, and preferences.
A Unique Program
The festival showcases an impressive range of queer and erotic films. Whether it’s feature films, short films, or curated programs, the works highlight diverse bodies, fluid notions of sexuality, and extraordinary aesthetic approaches.
In 2024, the LustAwards recognized films like Waking Up in Vegas by Michèle Flury and Self Reflections by Ediy Porn. These award-winning films reflect the artistic quality and societal ambition the festival embodies. Uniquely, the LustAwards focus exclusively on short films, promoting diversity in this often overlooked genre.
More Than Films: A Program to Engage and Inspire
Beyond its film screenings, the festival dazzles with a dynamic and varied side program. Here, participants can not only discuss but also reflect and celebrate. From the legendary LustVoll Parties to the Porn Roundtable and the LustMarkt, the festival offers countless opportunities to break taboos and explore queer themes in a relaxed, playful way. Workshops and performances provide space for creativity, encouraging attendees to gain new perspectives.
A standout feature is the festival’s Safer Space policy, emphasizing respect, consent, and awareness of both personal boundaries and those of others. This philosophy permeates the festival and is upheld by Awareness Teams on-site, ensuring the safety and well-being of all visitors.
17 Years of Queer-Feminist Representation so far
For 17 years, the Lust*streifen Film Festival has shaped Basel’s cultural and alternative scene, establishing itself as one of Switzerland’s most significant queer-feminist platforms. What started as a small film night has evolved into a major international festival, bringing the diversity of life realities and love forms to a wide audience.
The festival goes beyond film, promoting performance art, music, and spoken-word expressions to showcase art and culture in all their forms. Queer DJs, performers, and artists are given a stage to share their works and stories with an open, curious audience.
A Space for Community and Celebration
The Luststreifen Film Festival creates a space where people can connect, be inspired, and explore something new together. It welcomes all who want to shake off the dust of everyday life, as the dedicated organizing team puts it.
With over 20 passionate team members, the festival delivers an unforgettable experience each year, inviting visitors to challenge societal norms and celebrate the beauty of diversity. Whether at the Neues Kino, the Humbug, or the Hirscheneck party, the festival promises memorable moments that stay with you.
The Luststreifen Film Festival Basel is a must for anyone open to new experiences, eager to push the boundaries of cinematic and societal thinking. Whether you’re already part of the queer community or just curious, you are welcome here. At Lust*streifen, it’s not just about films – it’s about celebrating diversity, sharing stories, and creating a spacewhere everyone is seen, heard, and valued.
