Some projects just make me happy. This is definitely one of them.
For another year, I had the pleasure of developing the official iOS app for Queersicht, Bern’s queer film festival. And while last year’s app was already a pretty exciting project for me, this time I wanted to take things a little further.
Make it prettier. Make it smoother. Make it more Queersicht.
Because queer cinema deserves more than a boring list of screening times. And honestly, who doesn’t want a little more queer joy on their phone?
A festival with personality deserves an app with personality
One of the things I love about Queersicht is that every edition comes with its own visual identity. The colours, typography, illustrations and overall aesthetic give the festival its unmistakable character.
So, for this year’s app, I took inspiration directly from the festival’s visual design.
The goal wasn’t to invent a completely separate look, but to bring that same Queersicht feeling to the iPhone.
Of course, translating a festival’s visual identity into an app isn’t quite as simple as copying a poster onto a screen. An app needs to be interactive, intuitive and actually useful.
So there was plenty of experimenting, tweaking, moving things around, changing them back, and then changing them again.
The result? An app that feels much more connected to the festival itself.
And yes, I probably spent an unreasonable amount of time adjusting tiny design details that nobody will ever notice.
But I’ll know. ✨
Your queer cinema companion
At its heart, the app is all about discovering queer stories.
Stories that make us laugh, cry, think, question, celebrate and sometimes feel a little less alone.
The app brings the festival programme straight to your phone, making it easy to explore films, discover screenings and find out what’s happening where.
You can browse the programme, search and filter films, save your favourites to a personal watchlist and find your way to the different festival venues using the map.
Whether you’re meticulously planning your entire festival week or spontaneously deciding what to watch next, the app is there to help.
Less searching. More watching. More queer cinema. More joy.
Behind the rainbow: quite a lot of code
As colourful and cheerful as the finished app might be, there’s also a whole lot happening behind the scenes.
Film information, screening times, venues, languages, databases, server connections… all these little pieces need to work together.
And because Queersicht is a bilingual festival, the app needs to feel at home in both German and French.
What I love about developing apps is exactly this combination of creativity and technology.
One moment I’m thinking about typography, colours and how a screen should feel. The next I’m trying to figure out why some tiny piece of code has decided to ruin my evening.
It’s a beautiful relationship. Mostly. 😅
But there’s something incredibly satisfying about turning an idea into something real. Something people can actually use.
Especially when that something is connected to a project I care about.
Psst… there’s a little secret 🪩
Because what’s a queer celebration without a little surprise? I’ve hidden an Easter egg somewhere in the app. Let’s just say that 30 is more than just a number, and sometimes good things happen when you’re a little persistent with your tapping. And if you happen to find yourself under a disco ball… well, don’t just stand there. Get playful! You might discover that the party has only just begun. ✨🏳️🌈
More than just an app
Queersicht is more than a film festival.
It’s a celebration of queer stories, identities, perspectives and communities. It’s about visibility, connection, discovering new worlds and recognising parts of ourselves on screen.
And sometimes it’s simply about sitting in a cinema full of queer people, laughing together at something that the rest of the world might not quite understand.
That feeling is pretty special.
Being able to contribute to Queersicht in my own nerdy, creative way means a lot to me.
I’m not making the films. I’m not choosing the programme. But I get to build a little digital space that helps people discover those stories and find their way through the festival.
And I think that’s rather lovely.
Made with love, caffeine and a little queer magic
Of course, there’s always room for improvement. There are always more ideas, more features I’d love to explore, and probably a few things I’ll want to redesign five minutes after releasing the app.
That’s part of the fun.
For now, though, I’m happy that this new version gets to be part of Queersicht.
I hope it helps you discover a film you wouldn’t otherwise have watched. Find a story that stays with you. Or simply make your festival experience a little easier and a little more colourful.
Because technology can be practical, beautiful and playful.
And sometimes, it can even spread a little queer joy.
See you at Queersicht. In the cinema, in the crowd, and maybe somewhere on your home screen. 🏳️🌈✨
Made with love in Bern. And quite a few lines of code.
