Sandulela Asanda’s ‘Black Burns Fast’ to Close BFI Flare, with ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ as a Special Presentation

Sandulela Asanda’s romance drama Black Burns Fast will close the 40th edition of BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, with Paloma Schneideman’s Big Girls Don’t Cry as a Special Presentation on 26th March.

Adorkable and studious Luthando is on track for a normal academic year at the prestigious South African boarding school she attends on scholarship in Black Burns Fast. The arrival of a new girl in her class ignites Luthando’s suppressed desires, which threaten her relationships and everything she thought she knew about herself.

The BFI Flare Closing Night screening follows the World Premiere of Black Burns Fast at Durban International Film Festival, and the International Premiere at Berlin International Film Festival.

Sandulela Asanda, Writer-Director of Black Burns Fast, said, “I’m so excited to close BFI Flare with Black Burns Fast! In making this film, I wanted to reclaim my youth as a girl, and create a Black experience that was queer, joyful, and dynamic. It’s ended up being more than that, and I can’t wait to share this adorkable group of girls and their world with you all!”

With newcomer Ani Palmer starring alongside Almost Famous’ Noah Taylor and The Summer I Turned Pretty’s Rain Spencer, Big Girls Don’t Cry follows one transformative summer for 14-year old Sid Bookman in rural New Zealand. Caught between childhood and adolescence and navigating a burgeoning sexual curiosity and a desperate desire for acceptance, Sid gets drawn into a group of wealthy out-of-towners who are visiting for the summer. But the harder she tries to be like them, the more chaos she creates.

The BFI Flare Special Presentation screening follows the World Premiere of Big Girls Don’t Cry at Sundance Film Festival.

Paloma Schneideman, Writer-Director of Big Girls Don’t Cry, said, “We’re so excited and privileged to have our UK premiere at BFI Flare, which feels like a perfect home for our gentle but at times challenging film. Big Girls Don’t Cry is a story built from small details and liminal moments, and British cinema has long shaped my love for that kind of nuanced and character driven storytelling. We can’t wait to share.”

The 40th edition of BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival takes place 18th – 29th March, 2026.