QueerFrames Lab Expanded Into Southeast Asia
The screenwriting program launched its 2026 cohort with eight international feature projects.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in LGBTQand
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QueerFrames Screenwriting Lab has expanded its reach into Southeast Asia for the 2026 edition. The program has selected eight fiction feature projects from filmmakers based in countries including India, the Philippines, and Singapore.
Why it matters
This expansion broadens the platform for LGBTQ+ storytelling by pairing emerging international talent with professional mentorship. The initiative aims to provide critical developmental support for fiction features in a rapidly growing regional market.
The 2026 cohort features eight projects led by international filmmakers. Since the lab's inception in 2023, the organization has worked with a total of 22 filmmakers.
The players
QueerFrames Screenwriting Lab
This organization provides professional development and mentorship to LGBTQ+ filmmakers.
Netflix
This global streaming giant is a primary backer of the 2026 screenwriting cohort.
French Institute in India
This cultural organization partners with international entities to support artistic development.
Anup Poudel
He is an industry leader serving as a mentor for the 2026 lab participants.
Isabel Sandoval
She is an acclaimed filmmaker and mentor providing expertise to the current cohort.
The details
The 2026 program combines an intensive in-person retreat in Hua Hin, Thailand, with ongoing virtual development sessions. Mentors for this year include Anup Poudel, Tricia Tuttle, and Isabel Sandoval, with the initiative receiving backing from Netflix and the French Institute in India.
Timeline
The QueerFrames Lab launched in 2023.
An in-person retreat took place in Thailand from September 23 to October 2, 2026.
Industry Day was held in Bangkok on October 3, 2026.
Virtual sessions will continue through March 2027.
Culture Shift
The program reflects a broader cultural shift toward globalizing independent LGBTQ+ cinema through decentralized mentorship models. This expansion positions the lab within a growing network of regional talent incubators that challenge traditional, Western-centric filmmaking pipelines.
This program offers participating filmmakers professional mentorship and industry networking that could accelerate the production timelines of their feature projects. For the broader creative community, the expansion signals increased resources and potential distribution support for regional queer narratives.
The takeaway
The growth of specialized labs provides essential infrastructure for underrepresented filmmakers to refine their narratives in a professional setting. Readers interested in independent cinema should track how these mentorship models evolve as they move into emerging international markets.
What happens next
The program will continue with virtual development sessions for the 2026 cohort, which are scheduled to run through March 2027.
Further reading
For more on international queer media advocacy, visit the LGBTQand section.
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