Mediawan Rights Boards Yihwen Chen’s Doc ‘Queer As Punk’ Ahead Of Berlinale Premiere​on February 11, 2025 at 12:00 pm

EXCLUSIVE: France’s Mediawan Rights has acquired international sales to Yihwen Chen‘s Berlinale-bound documentary Queer as Punk.

Sales will launch at the EFM as the Locke Films and Talamedia doc about Malaysia’s first openly queer punk band gets its world premiere in the Berlinale Forum Selection on Fenruary 16 at 9pm in Arsenal 1.

Queer as Punk is being billed as a “bold and moving portrayal of Faris, a transgender man, and his punk band as they navigate life and activism in Malaysia, a country where LGBTQ+ rights are criminalized.” Doc blends moments of humor and courage with the raw defiance of punk music to celebrate “a chosen family’s fight for equality and visibility amidst an environment filled with challenges.”

Mediawan Rights has searched out punchy feature docs over recent years, and was the sales agent for the Academy Award-nominated Soundtrack to a Coup d’État last year. Queer as Punk will launch at the EFM on its slate next to Sundance doc GEN_.

“Queer as Punk is a story about resilience, identity, and collective defiance,” said director Chen. “I’m thrilled to partner with Mediawan Rights to bring this important narrative to global audiences and amplify the voices of Malaysia’s first openly queer punk band.”

“Our co-production allowed us to bridge perspectives from Malaysia and Indonesia, amplifying a story that resonates in our countries and also across Southeast Asia and beyond,” added Queer as Punk producer said Mandy Marahimin. “Partnering with Mediawan Rights is an important step in ensuring Queer as Punk reaches audiences globally, fostering dialogue and connection through its powerful narrative.”