Documentary exploring the life of Tony De Vit to feature at BFI’s Flare Film Festival

The British Film Institute (BFI) has announced that Don't Ever Stop: Tony De Vit - the documentary focusing on the life and career of legendary British DJ Tony De Vit, will feature at the BFI Flare Film Festival 2014.

Named after one of De Vit’s signature tracks, the documentary premiered in 2023 and charts the hard house pioneer's rise to stardom in the '90s.

The film delves into De Vit’s music career and life as a gay man against a backdrop of the aids epidemic during the 90s, exploring the DJ’s relationships with Fergie, Andi Buckley and the infamous London gay nightclub, Trade.

On the creation of the documentary director Stuart Pollitt said: “We uncovered a stranger than fiction story of how three men's lives came together in an extraordinary period.”

Read this next: "Excess was encouraged": An oral history of revolutionary LGBTQ+ party Trade

Pulling together old and new interviews, Don't Ever Stop: Tony De Vit tells the story of Tony De Vit in the words of his friends, family, fans and the DJ himself.

Judge Jules, Eats Everything and Danny Rampling are among a few industry names featured in the piece speaking on the impact of the trailblazing DJ.

Despite passing away in 1998 during the height of his career, the Birmingham DJ is widely regarded as a pioneering influence of hard house.

The BFI’s Flare Film Festival is dedicated to the celebration of queer cinema and takes place over two days March 22 - 23 at the BFI centre in Southbank.

Brian Robinson of the BFI described the film as a “profoundly moving tale of hard beats, heavy living, ecstasy and the continuing legacy of the late great DJ”.

Read this next: 14 90s House DJs Still at the Top of Their Game

The festival will host a full programme of screenings as well as “special events” and DJ sets, according to the BFI’s official website.

This year's programme contains 57 features and 81 shorts from 41 countries which are to be divided into three themes: Hearts, Bodies and Minds.

Don't Ever Stop: Tony De Vit, is one of two documentaries to feature this year, alongside Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero, a film Lil Nas X and his career as an openly gay Black rapper.

Visit the film's official website for more information on how to get tickets.

Belle Richardson is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter