Queer Wave film festival banners vandalized in Nicosia

Banners advertising the Queer Wave LGBTQIA+ film festival were vandalized in the Kaimakli area of Nicosia, as reported by the organizers on September 10, 2026. The festival collective condemned the act, characterizing it not as an isolated incident but as a deliberate attack on queer visibility and the community's right to occupy public spaces.

Despite the vandalism, organizers affirmed their commitment to proceed with the event. The seventh annual edition of Queer Wave is scheduled to take place from September 18 to September 27, 2026, at the NiMAC exhibition center. The ten-day program will feature a diverse lineup of films, performances, and related cultural activities highlighting both local and international creators. The organizers emphasized that the incident further validates the necessity for safe queer spaces and public cultural expression, vowing that intimidation will not silence their mission to share stories and build community.