TranScreen Film Festival Returns to Amsterdam in May 2026
AMSTERDAM – The TranScreen Amsterdam Transgender Filmfestival will return to its familiar venues, Filmtheater Kriterion and the nearby JACO community space, offering a program of film screenings, workshops, and social gatherings.
International Film Lineup
This year's selection features several documentaries from around the globe, exploring themes of political struggle, artistic expression, and personal history.
- State of Firsts (2025): A U.S. documentary by Chase Joynt that chronicles the historic campaign and first year in office of Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person elected to the U.S. legislature.
- Queer as Punk (2025): From Malaysia, Chen Yihwen's film follows the journey of trans man Faris and his punk band as they protest and perform across a country where being LGBTQIA+ is illegal.
- S/he Is Still Her/e (2024): A personal documentary by David Charles Rodrigues that documents the final years in the life of musician, artist, and gender revolutionary Genesis P-Orridge.
- Niñxs (2025): This film by Kani Lapuerta follows fifteen-year-old Karla over eight years, navigating her trans adolescence in the small Mexican town of Tepoztlán.
On Saturday evening, TranScreen will also partner with the Porn Film Festival Amsterdam to present Porn ShorTs, a curated block of explicit short films.
Workshops and Community Gatherings
Beyond the cinema, TranScreen is offering several events focused on wellbeing and community connection, primarily hosted at JACO.
A workshop on Saturday will focus on massage, consent, and body work specifically for trans people, aiming to provide a safe environment to learn relaxation techniques. On Sunday, free walk-in restorative massage sessions will also be available.
A community dinner will be held at JACO on Saturday evening between screenings, with drinks scheduled in the Kriterion foyer to close the festival on Sunday.
Event Details and Accessibility
Dates: Saturday, May 16 & Sunday, May 17, 2026
Locations:
- Filmtheater Kriterion: Roetersstraat 170, 1018 WE Amsterdam. (Wheelchair accessible with accessible toilet)
- JACO: Rhijnspoorplein 1a, 1091 GC Amsterdam.
Accessibility Note: TranScreen has stated that the elevator at the JACO venue is currently broken and may not be repaired in time for the festival. This means events at JACO, including the workshops and dinner, are not currently wheelchair accessible. Screenings at Kriterion remain accessible.
Tickets:
- Standard price is €8.50 per screening.
- Screenings are free for Cineville pass holders.
- A policy is in place for refugees and individuals on low income to receive a free ticket by approaching festival crew members (wearing O-passes), subject to availability.
Full program details and ticket links can be found on the official TranScreen website.
