Bilbao’s International GayLesboTrans Film and Performing Arts Festival, Zinegoak, was conceived in 2004 as tool to raise awareness through culture, films and the performing arts.

Organized by Hegoak association, this annual event has become a benchmark of LGBT festivals internationally. It is held in February in the city of Bilbao, and in a large number of Basque towns in March.

Zinegoak presents over 100 scenic and audiovisual projects (feature films, short films, documentaries…), many of them awarded in different international competitions.

The Jury of the festival is composed of international audiovisual and/or LGTB connoisseurs and, each edition, Zinegoak Honorary Award is bestowed upon a LGTB filmmaking- related personality in recognition of their work or career path.

Zinegoak’s cultural program focuses on quality cinema and performing arts. Likewise, all related activities and events are based on and foster not only non-discrimination on grounds of affective bonds, sexuality or identity issues, but also the denunciation of recurring human rights violations throughout the world, while striving to increase visibility of new family models.

Previous editions of Zinegoak brought together over 10,000 spectators, with effects rippling through the Basque Country and beyond.

The festival is held in over a dozen spaces within the city of Bilbao, plus 30 additional venues in Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa and Araba.