On stage, Ali feels free. For him, drag is a space where he can be himself and express his feelings. For everyone, “the club” becomes a place where they can transform their pain into humour through drag and feel a sense of solidarity. But while Ali is trying things out, his mother feels the oppressive weight of a country that condemns him – yet despite everything, she supports her son.

Ademi tells the story of people fighting against social constraints and of a safe haven that at least gives them some freedom. It is a clear statement against the currently debated law against alleged “LGBT propaganda” in Kazakhstan.

Behind Hoi Yi’s public fight for freedom of expression lies an inner conflict. As a queer man, he moves between two worlds: the liberty of his life in the Netherlands and the social expectations placed on him by his family in China.

While he helps Iranian journalists bypass censorship, his personal life slowly unravels. His arranged marriage to Mei-Lan is coming to an end, and his partner, Fred, longs for recognition that Hoi cannot give him. Upon arriving in China, Hoi is immediately confronted with repression, and with his family’s quiet longing for a grandchild. A confrontational conversation with Mei-Lan, who is pregnant with another queer man’s child, forces Hoi to reflect on himself.

In search of grounding, he dives into the underground queer communities of China, where he unexpectedly finds space to redefine his boundaries. During the family dinner on New Year’s Day, Hoi decides to speak out. The rejection that follows is painful and direct. Yet this confrontation sets something in motion: in an emotional speech at the Freedom Festival in Bangkok, Hoi manages to unite his personal and political struggle. His words touch the audience, and also Fred, who watches on, quietly moved.

Nestled in the heart of Vancouver, Burcu’s Angels isn’t just a vintage store – it’s a haven, a stage, and a sanctuary. For thirty years, this vibrant space has welcomed outcasts, dreamers, and seekers, offering more than clothes – it offers belonging. Owned by Burcu Özdemir, a Turkish queer elder, the store has become a pillar of the community, lovingly described as a “coming out centre” for generations of 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

But as the cityscape changes, Burcu must move the store for the twelfth time in 28 years, a reminder of the precariousness of queer spaces and the resilience required to hold them. Told through her witty, poetic reflections and layered with the voices of those who found safety and identity in her store, Burcu’s Angels celebrates the spirit of building connections, breaking binaries, and living unapologetically. With a rich collage of archive footage, personal stories, and intimate moments, the film pays tribute to the power of queer community and the ordinary magic of one woman’s enduring vision.