Venice 2026: Victor Di Marco, Márcio Picoli On Changing How We See Queer Disabled People With ‘London’ [VIDEO]

Brazilian filmmakers Victor Di Marco & Márcio Picoli’s debut feature London sets out to showcase that “disabled bodies are the bodies of the future,” and that disabled stories don’t need to be dire and pitiable. It’s also a refreshingly queer look at one disabled person’s journey both sexual and otherwise.

The titular character, embodied by Di Marco, is a fiercely independent young queer adult who works at a fetish house. After a medical exam, London is told another test is necessary so he can understand his body and his disability, which affects his motion, but he is fearful that a diagnosis could change the way he lives and might begin to define him.

This impressive film, both an intense character study and an internal queer thriller. showcases Di Marco’s remarkable talents as actor, co-director and co-writer. And Picoli’s as co-writer, co-director. Both artists are also producers on the film.

London is a defiantly sexual, disabled character, something rarely seen onscreen. And Di Marco delivers a brave and heartbreaking performance.

Di Marco and Picoli have directed five short films that have garnered over 50 awards at festivals including BFI, SBIFF, MixBrasil, Kinoforum, and the Gramado Film Festival, as well as earning two nominations for the Grande Prêmio do Cinema Brasileiro (Brazilian Academy Awards).

London is In Competition and part of the International Critic’s Week (Settimana internazionale della critica) and is world premiering on September 6, 2026.

The Contending had the pleasure of a VIDEO chat with DiMarco the day before the film bows, with Venice’s infamous wonky WiFi occasionally messing things up.