Wildcard has acquired the Irish distribution rights to Lesbian Lines, the acclaimed new hybrid feature documentary from award-winning filmmaker Cara Holmes.
The film uncovers a hidden chapter of Irish LGBTQIA+ history through an underground network of lesbian telephone helplines. The conversations, preserved in handwritten notes, offer a remarkable record of a pivotal period in Ireland’s social history, when women were fighting for equality in a deeply restrictive and conservative society.
Blending documentary with dramatic performance, Holmes brings this little-known history vividly to life through an ensemble of former helpline volunteers and actors. The result is a moving, joyful and deeply resonant portrait of community, connection and the transformative power of listening, creating a powerful archive built from collective memory.
“A story of community, connection and the power of listening” – The Hollywood Reporter
The film is written and directed by Cara Holmes, whose previous feature documentary Notes from Sheepland won Best Documentary at the Dublin International Film Festival and the Pull Focus Award for Best Irish Feature Documentary at Docs Ireland in 2023.
Speaking about the news she said, “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Wildcard to bring Lesbian Lines to audiences as widely as possible. Seeing the film on cinema screens means that stories from our lesbian and queer history can be experienced collectively, sparking conversation, connection and reflection. Our history deserves to be celebrated, preserved, and made accessible for everyone.”
Gillian Cooper, Head of Distribution at Wildcard added, “Wildcard are delighted to bring Cara’s deeply moving, insightful and visually compelling documentary to Irish audiences, shining a light on an important chapter of Ireland’s queer history.”
“An incredibly rich documentary full of passionate testimony” – Eye For Film
Lesbian Lines is produced by Evan Horan (Oddity, Sunlight, About Joan) for Keeper Pictures, with the support of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, RTÉ, Coimisiún na Meán and New Dawn. Executive producers are Katie Holly and Yvonne Donohoe of Keeper Pictures, Niamh Fagan of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Sally Roden and Gráinne McAleer of RTÉ; with Lisa Kelly as co-producer.
Lesbian Lines received its world premiere in the International Competition at Sheffield DocFest last month before making its Irish premiere at Docs Ireland in Belfast, where it won the Pull Focus Award for Best Irish Feature Documentary.
The film will screen at the Galway Film Fleadh on Friday, 10 July, at the Town Hall Theatre, before screening at the GAZE International LGBTQIA+ Film Festival in Dublin later this month.
Wildcard is set to release Lesbian Lines in Irish cinemas later this year.
