Brian Robinson, who worked for the British Film Institute (BFI) and its LGBTQ festival for several decades, has died at the age of 67. Robinson j
Brian Robinson, who worked for the British Film Institute (BFI) and its LGBTQ festival for several decades, has died at the age of 67.
Robinson joined the BFI as press officer in 1987, and in the early 2000s became the BFI’s communications manager for archive and heritage, stepping down in 2017. He also enjoyed a long association with the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, initially in a publicity role, then as programmer for archive titles, and soon after as a full member of the curating team across the whole programme.
He stayed with the festival for a decade after its rebranding as BFI Flare: London LBGTQIA+ Film Festival in 2014, stepping down after he was diagnosed with glioblastoma in October 2024.
Born in 1959 in Portadown, Northern Ireland, Robinson was known for his deep knowledge of queer film history and the silver screen era, his flamboyant showmanship, and his confident, highly entertaining on-stage hosting of film events. He was also a generous host at his home near BFI Southbank in London where he brought together filmmakers and film enthusiasts from around the world.
Before joining the BFI, he was one of the original members of the collective behind alternative magazine Square Peg. He served on juries for the Berlinale’s Teddy Award, Cannes’ Queer Palm, Venice’s Queer Lion and the UK’s Iris Prize.
Robinson had a particular appreciation for queer films with a powerful visual aesthetic and befriended filmmakers he championed, including Belgium’s Bavo Defurne (Souvenir) and French duo Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau (Drole De Felix). Documents of queer history were likewise a particular passion and he programmed the works of documentarians including David Weissman (The Cockettes, We Were Here). UK-born, LA-based filmmaker Wash Westmoreland (Still Alice) was another close friend.
In his many years at LLGFF and BFI Flare, he worked alongside Tricia Tuttle (now director of the Berlinale), Briony Hanson (now director of film at the British Council), Clare Stewart (now International Film Festival Rotterdam managing director) and Robin Baker (head curator of BFI National Archive until 2025). All have sent Screen International tributes to Robinson, celebrating his generous, eccentric spirit; commitment to queer cinema and his vital presence at the BFI over several decades. “He was the heart and the soul of the place,” summed up Westmoreland.
Robinson is survived by his long-term partner and husband, journalist Pas Paschali.
Tributes to Brian Robinson
“The depth of feeling for Brian runs deep. He epitomised the spirit of BFI Flare: transgressive, a twinkle in his eye, full of love… He was a rebel and an elder. He shared his unchained joy of queer cinema with a lightness of touch. His spontaneity and casual charm were legendary, and audiences at the BFI were thrilled when he walked onto the stage. His passing is such a huge loss to us, and to the community to whom he gave so much.”
Ben Roberts, CEO, British Film Institute
“The UK film scene without Brian Robinson is one less vivid in so many ways. He brought so much warmth, wit and vivacity to every programme he made or hosted through the years at the BFI. As a film professional, Brian was infinitely knowledgeable and such a rare treasure hunter. His programming often unearthed underappreciated gems or positioned familiar work in new ways. As a host, Brian brought pleasing eccentricity; you could count on him to be hilarious, or adorably unpredictable. His parties with his beloved Pas were always a treat where you were likely to meet your favourite queer filmmaker or on old friend from the film world. And the suits, those glorious suits. Here’s to you, Mr Robinson. You brought light and colour to everything around you.”
Tricia Tuttle, director, Berlinale
“I first met Brian more than three decades ago when he was in the BFI press team and I was a new programmer (sharing the hot seat with Robin Baker) of the precursor to BFI Flare, the less-inclusive mouthful that was the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. Brian was a significant part of pulling the festival on to mainstream press attention, not least because of his irresistible charm and eccentricity with the press corps, who clearly couldn’t say no to him.
“He was a constant cheerleader for the festival, and it was fitting that he then took charge of the archive programme, about which he was a font of knowledge. Subsequent Flares then had Brian as a highlight, with his opening night speeches the stuff of legend – hilarious, infectious, charming and eccentric.”
Briony Hanson, director of film, British Council
“I was lucky enough to work with Brian over a number of decades. He was an ebullient force of nature, an expert raconteur and a mine of arcane and invariably risqué film facts. But most of all, he was a creative, warm and generous man, and someone who by rights should have been declared a national treasure.”
Robin Baker, film curator
“Brian was a beloved friend and colleague. His erudite wit, sartorial splendour and mischievous showpersonship was a cornerstone for BFI Flare/LLGFF. His programming legacy is significant and his impact transformative for the festival and for London LGBTQI+ culture in general.
“His stories were legion and legendary – my favourite was his account of hosting Bette Davis in his early days at the BFI and clearing her lipsticked cigarette butts from the NFT green room ashtray. His retrospective regret, evoked in his trademark mellifluous tone, was that eBay was not yet invented and he had missed a celeb auction trick!
“We shared a love of vintage Pucci, and more than once accidentally graced a BFI Flare opening night in matching outfits. Brian’s spirited generosity extended from his programming selections – he would suspend his critical faculties whenever he encountered a charming coming-of-age, coming-out film – to his open-house welcome to filmmakers and colleagues for festival after-parties. Brian was inimitable, a true trailblazer, and he will be remembered not only by his dear husband Pas and his friends and colleagues, but also by the many LGBTIQ+ filmmakers whose work he championed.”
Clare Stewart, managing director, International Film Festival Rotterdam
“Brian was one of the first people I met in the film industry when I was getting started. He was warm, funny and so charming, generous with his time and knowledge, and his impact on film culture and queer film in the UK in particular is immense. When I moved up to Edinburgh, he sent me a book about the history of EIFF – a totally unprompted and considerate gift. That really just sums him up in my memory: his warmth, generosity and thoughtfulness.”
Paul Ridd, CEO and festival director, Edinburgh International Film Festival
“So sad to mourn the passing of Brian Robinson — a gorgeous, generous, hilarious, brilliant friend. Programming Flare festival and working at the BFI for so many years, he became the heart and soul of the place. If you went to see a film, Brian’s introduction was a huge part of the fun. The Q&As he conducted afterwards were intellectually lively and often pretty raunchy. Brian would unleash his colossal wit, and the audience would roar with laughter.
“A short walk from the theatre was his legendary house on Roupell Street. He threw so many parties. Socially, he was a wizard — bringing people together, making everything seem just… tickety-boo – one of his favourite phrases. That extraordinary voice, that joyous laugh, that way he had of knowing absolutely everything. God, I will miss him. Rest in Pride, Brian.”
Wash Westmoreland, filmmaker
“Brian was an endlessly charming raconteur with a sly, dishy wit – a scholar, mentor, renaissance man, collector par excellence, and beloved friend to many around the world, especially in the queer film world.”
David Weissman, filmmaker
“What a sadness to learn the death of Brian. Immediately, there are joyful images of moments spent together that come back to us. We had met in Berlin, seen most often in London, but also friendly in Paris. Every time we came to London to present a film at the BFI, it was a promise of a joyful moment. Brian had the art of making Q&As fun for us. He knew how to combine interests for the form and more activist issues. We want to keep the most joyful images of our encounters and the sound of his laughter – as well as the very nice way he spoke our language, slowly, carefully as if each French word was the most precious thing in the world.”
Jacques Martineau and Olivier Ducastel, filmmakers
“Brian belonged to a generation of people who understood that queer cinema did not merely need to be made; it needs to be discovered, championed and brought to an audience. Through his work at the BFI and the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival/BFI Flare, he helped build one of the world’s pioneering platforms for queer cinema. The festival opened doors not only for filmmakers, but also for other festivals and for queer stories within mainstream film culture.
“I know personally just how life-changing that work can be. As a young film student, I made Particularly Now, In Spring. It was the first film in which I truly expressed my own sensibility and told a queer story from within. My teachers gave it a failing grade, largely because they had no queer frame of reference through which to understand it. Their rejection left me believing there might be no place for my voice as a filmmaker.
“Brian was one of the first people to champion my work and make me feel that my voice mattered. That recognition opened the door to everything that followed: further films, international distribution, awards and, ultimately, a career in cinema. The London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival became a home for our stories.
“Over the years, Brian became a very dear friend to both Yves [Verbraken, Defurne’s husband, producer and co-writer] and me. We attended his wedding, and he attended ours. We have lost a champion, a role model, and a deeply loved friend.”
Bavo Defurne, filmmaker
“Brian was a legendary figure in the film scene in London and globally. His work in building profile and audiences for the brightest queer talent in the world is well-known. What a loss. He also rented me a flat when I was a young journalist and was an exemplary landlord, so I am always grateful to him.”
Mike Goodridge, CEO, Good Chaos
“I knew Brian when I just started in the business and became lifelong pals with him, Pas and my husband, Ross. We travelled the globe and Brian was always the consummate tour guide in London, Venice and Paris. Brian was always passionate about the arts, and particularly film. His devotion was always on display, with a genuine sense of kindness and knowledge.
“I’m so proud to call Brian and Pas two of my dearest friends. Personally, I remember how protective Brian was escorting my mum around to premieres and parties when I was stuck working.”
Marcus Hu, co-founder, Strand Releasing
“Brian’s introductions and festival speeches are the stuff of legends, each carefully positioned faux pas endeared him to audiences and his comic timing was always perfect, holding each audience in the palm of his hand. His introduction/Q&A for Trouser Bar –in which Brian also gives a cameo performance – was a true standout. He became so excited in his introduction, he got all of the guests up on stage and started the Q&A, which continued until he realised that he hadn’t actually played the film. Audiences loved Brian, we loved Brian, and he is so sorely missed.”
Tom Abell, owner, Peccadillo Pictures
“Even before I knew him, I adored Brian Robinson. Each time he stepped on stage, dolled up to the nines, to introduce a film, I knew we were in for a good time. His love of cinema was infectious and he was genuinely hilarious.
“What a joy it was to meet him. It happened because he brought the pioneer gay filmmaker Peter de Rome from New York to London. Peter talked about his films, which had never been seen in the UK before. I made a couple of documentaries about Peter, and Brian was in them. After Peter’s death I produced Trouser Bar, and course, Brian had to be in it.
“Brian was a titan of gay film history in the UK and there was literally no one else like him. What an honour to have known him.”
David McGillivray, film producer/writer
