Silver Pride Cinema Festival Returns to Wilmington with “Red Carpet Gay-La” and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

The Silver Pride Cinema Festival is set to return to Jengo’s Playhouse on May 29–30, 2026, bringing two days of LGBTQ+ film, storytelling, and community celebration to downtown Wilmington.

Presented by the Cucalorus Film Foundation, in partnership with the Silver Pride Circle of the Cape Fear, the festival will once again spotlight diverse queer voices through screenings, workshops, and special events.

Opening night kicks off Friday, May 29, with the beloved cult classic The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The film, which follows two drag queens and a transgender woman traveling across the Australian Outback in a bus named Priscilla, will screen at 8 p.m. both indoors and on the lawn at Jengo’s Backyard. The screening caps the “Red Carpet Gay-La,” a festive opening celebration beginning at 6 p.m. where attendees are encouraged to arrive in drag.

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“The opening night Gay-La is all about joy, visibility, and community,”

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said festival organizer Janyce Jones.

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“It’s a chance to celebrate queer stories and intergenerational connections.”

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Earlier in the day, attendees can take part in a special WilmingtoNColor heritage shuttle tour, a 90-minute immersive experience exploring Wilmington’s Black history and stories of resilience.

Programming continues Saturday, May 30, with a full slate of films and events. Highlights include the closing night feature Jimpa, a story of family and identity starring John Lithgow; Barbara Forever, an archival exploration of pioneering lesbian filmmaker Barbara Hammer; and the Painted Bunting Shorts Block, a curated selection of queer films spanning genres and generations.The festival will also host a 90-minute directing workshop led by Ingrid Jungermann, offering participants insight into visual storytelling, scene analysis, and the filmmaking process from pre-production through production. Jungermann has longstanding ties to Wilmington’s arts scene, having worked in local theater and performance in the early 2000s.

Opening night tickets are $20 and include access to the Gay-La, small bites, and the film screening. Festival passes and individual tickets are available online.