Purple banner with '#FiveFilms4Freedom' in white letters in the foreground

#FiveFilms4Freedom is the world's first global, digital LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) short-film program, created in collaboration between the British Council and BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Five LGBTQ+ themed short films available for the world to watch online for free, over an 11-day period each year.

The programme, which features work by emerging filmmakers from across the world, is selected from and coincides with BFI Flare. Through our global network in more than 100 countries, we encourage people to watch the films in solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities in places where freedom and equal rights are limited. We ask audiences to share the films using the hashtag #FiveFilms4Freedom in recognition of the fact that Love is a Human Right.

Running since 2015, the programme has seen more than 10 million people viewing one of the films in more than 200 countries and principalities, including many parts of the world where homosexuality is criminalised, and in some cases, punishable by the death penalty.

Learn more about #FiveFilms4Freedom

 

#FiveFilms4Freedom 2019

From 21-31 March 2019, audiences in London enjoyed BFI Flare, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) film festival. At the same time, you and people all over the world watched five films from the festival for free online. Over the course of one single day, people from all over the world showed that love is a human right by watching one of the films and sharing the hashtag #FiveFilms4Freedom.

Learn more about the 2019 #FiveFilms4Freedom

Film and Director Synopsis Link

Crashing Waves (UK)

Emma Gilbertson, Director

Amir Majlessi, Producer

 Two young working-class men explore the intimacy and vulnerability of relationships in a combative dance against the backdrop of an inner-city estate, risking all under the scrutiny of a tight-knit, ever-judging community. Watch an interview with the director and producer

Carlito Se Va Para Siempre/Carlito Leaves Forever (Peru/France)

Quentin Lazzarotto, Director

 A short, poetic film following Carlito, a young man living in an indigenous village at the heart of the Amazonian jungle, who decided to leave and change his life forever. Watch an interview with the director

Ladies Day (UK)

Abena Taylor-Smith, Director

Loran Dunn, Producer

 Amma, a young, black lesbian, spends the day in an Afro-Caribbean hair salon full of fun, sheen spray, gossip and laughter - but how will she deal with the casual homophobia? Watch an interview with the director

EG/I (Iceland)

Vala Omarsdottir, Writer/Director

Hallfridur Thora Tryggvadottir, Writer/Director

Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir Jónsdóttir, Co-Creator 

 A young trans person living in a small town travels to the city searching for the freedom to be their self. Watch an interview with the writer/director and co-creator

A Normal Girl (USA)

Aubree Bernier-Clarke, Director

Shawna Lipton, Producer

Pidgeon Pagonis, Producer and Lead

 1.5 per cent of people are born with an anatomy that doesn’t fit typical definitions of female or male. It is common practice for doctors to perform genital surgeries on intersex infants - often with disastrous results. A Normal Girl brings the widely unknown struggles of intersex people to light, through the story of intersex activist Pidgeon Pagonis. Watch an interview with the director and lead

#FiveFilms4Freedom 2018

From 21 March - 1 April 2018, audiences in London enjoyed BFI Flare, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) film festival. At the same time, you and people all over the world watched five films from the festival for free online. On Monday 26 March, we asked the world to watch a movie together. Over the course of one single day, people from all over the world showed that love is a human right by watching one of the films and sharing the hashtag #FiveFilms4Freedom.

Learn more about the 2018 #FiveFilms4Freedom

Film Director Region
 Uninvited  Seung Yeob Lee  South Korea
 Goddess  Karishma Dev Dube  India
 Handsome and Majestic  Jeff Lee Petry and Nathan Drillot  Canada
 Landline  Matt Houghton  UK
 Goldfish  Yorgos Angelopoulos  Greece

#FiveFilms4Freedom 2017

From 16-26 March 2017, audiences in London enjoyed BFI Flare, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) film festival. At the same time, you and people all over the world watched five films from the festival for free online. On Tuesday 21 March, we asked the world to watch a movie together. Over the course of one single day, people from all over the world showed that love is a human right by watching one of the films and sharing the hashtag #FiveFilms4Freedom.

From 1-16 November, audiences in various cities throughout the US enjoyed these films and panel discussions about LGBT issues. Screenings and discussions took place in Charlotte, NC, Washington, DC, Orlando FL, Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY. 

Learn more about the 2017 #FiveFilms4Freedom

The five short films selected for 2017 includes both drama and documentaries and tell stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender experiences. They range from the tentative steps of first love, through an intimate portrait of an extraordinary family, to an exuberant picture of underground cultural expression.

Film Director Description
Crush Rosie Westhoff An almost wordless story of the flash of first love as a young girl waits for her train in Britain
Where We Are Now Lucie Rachel An intimate documentary portrait of the relationship between a transgender parent and her bisexual daughter in Scotland.
Heavy Weight Jonny Ruff A boxer finds his world turned upside down by the arrival of a new fighter at the club.
Still Burning Nick Rowley Era, a young migrant from Guadeloupe living in Paris introduces his brother to leotards, heels and the ‘fierce’ attitude of the dance movement ‘voguing’.
Jamie Christopher Manning After chatting to a guy online, shy Jamie makes the bold step to meet up with him in person.

#FiveFilms4Freedom 2016

In October 2016, the British Council and partners across the US organized screenings and panel discussions showcasing the #FiveFilms4Freedom digital campaign. #FiveFilms4Freedom is the world's first and largest digital LGBT film festival, running now for 2 years across the world. This festival includes a social media campaign element and partnership between the British Film Institute (BFI) and the British Council, with the goal of promoting equality and diversity by encouraging people around the world to watch the five short films from the BFI Flare, London's annual LGBT Film Festival. 

From October 19-27, 2016, audiences in various cities throughout the US enjoyed these films and panel discussions about LGBT issues. At the same time, people all over the US and the world watched the five films from the festival for free online in honor of the US tour. 

Learn more about the 2016 #FiveFilms4Freedom

Film Director Country
Take Your Partners Siri Rodnes Scotland
The Orchid Ferran Navarro-Beltrán Spain
Swirl Petersen Varga Philippines
Breathe James Doherty UK and Ireland
Xavier Ricky Mastro Brazil

 

 

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