Queens of Joy

Queens of Joy is a documentary about three drag queens from the Ukrainian LGBTQ+ community who choose to stay in their home country during the war. The film follows Monroe, Aura, and Marlene as they balance the glitz of their stage performances with the harsh realities of conflict. To support the war effort, the three women organize charity shows to raise funds for the front lines, using their art as a means of survival and a symbol of unity. Through their experiences, the narrative explores themes of personal identity, hope, and resilience in the face of loss and fear.

The film was directed and produced by Olga Gibelinda, who also collaborated with producers Ivanna Khitsinska and Louis Beaudemont. This production was a joint effort between Ukraine, France, and the Czech Republic, involving production companies such as ARTE GEIE, Doc Society, Les Steppes Productions, and Malanka Studios. The documentary has a runtime of 90 minutes and was released on January 29, 2026.