BIRMINGHAM, U.K. — The inaugural "Bean Flicks" erotic film festival is set to take place in Birmingham, England, this coming Friday and Saturday.
Organized by Dr. Annalise Weckesser, Dr. Keeley Abbott and Dr. Gemma Commane, researchers in health, psychology and media at Birmingham City University, the debut event will feature screenings of indie filmmakers' works of "feminist, queer and kink-positive porn shorts," that champion inclusivity and bridge the gap between ethics and desire.
Developed in part to address taboos about women's sexuality, the festival is promised to bring together a wide range of filmmakers, presenters and attendees, for a weekend of screenings, seminars and special events, culminating in the "Best Slumber Party Ever" wrap-up celebration.
The festivities kick off on Friday evening with a sex-positive and inclusive manifesto reading, where Neelam Heera, social activist and founder of Cysters, will welcome attendees to share their visions of ethical sexual expression in three minutes or less, followed by a poetry reading by Jasmine Gardosi and a screening of Shanahoy’s "Best Slumber Party Ever."
A discussion with Max Disgrace, co-organizer of the London Porn Film Festival, is set to follow, illuminating details from the festival's tumultuous 2019 show, which suffered from discriminatory and transphobic attacks last April.
Screenings from Liam Cole, Lina Bembe and Erika Lust, amongst others will continue throughout the night.
The festival returns Saturday evening with Iqra Choudhry and Alicia Anane of the "Brown Girls Do It" podcast with an interactive session on diversity and inclusivity in sex ed.
A keynote speech is set for later in the evening, delivered by Vex Ashley, reflecting on the festival's theme of ethics and desire through the lens of her work at A Four Chambered Heart.
Conversations on disability, sexuality and desirability co-hosted by Mat Fraser, as well as a presentation by the renowned Mistress Tess on professional domination will conclude the festival's screenings and seminar series, in time for the Best Slumber Party Ever wrap up event, featuring "Porn-e-oke" and more.
Bean Flicks is an 18-and-over event; tickets may be purchased online either for single-day or weekend passes. For more information and a complete schedule of events, click here.
