Celebrating a decade of the world's broadest LGBTQIA+ digital showcase!

British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, in partnership with BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, has announced the return of Five Films for Freedom. Celebrating its 10th edition, this milestone event presents five captivating new films from the Philippines, India, Spain, the UK, and the USA, promising an unforgettable cinematic experience for audiences around the world. In India, in partnership with The Queer Muslim Project, 12 screenings for the films will be held across 10 cities across India with 10 partners.

Five Films for Freedom shines a spotlight on LGBTQIA+ narratives that embody resilience and authenticity. Through these films, the audience will get to know more about the emerging LGBTQI+ cinema across the world and understand the life and challenges faced by the community, with themes including identity, love, family, and acceptance.

From the historic defiance captured in Compton's 22 in San Francisco to the heartfelt exploration of love and understanding in Halfway, this year's selection promises to captivate audiences with its diverse and impactful stories. Featuring films like Little One, Cursive, and The First Kiss, each touching upon themes of family, identity, and the universal pursuit of acceptance, this lineup offers powerful perspectives on the LGBTQIA+ experience.

"We are delighted to be once again partnering with BFI Flare, JioTV and JioTV+ and The Queer Muslim Project for Five Films For Freedom, a celebration of inclusivity and cultural exchange. It is a privilege to showcase the exceptional work of immensely talented filmmakers to audiences across India. Throughout the ten-year journey of Five Films For Freedom, we've been able to reach over 23 million viewers globally with these remarkable films. We take pride in our ongoing commitment to supporting this initiative, which not only sheds light on new narratives but also fosters new connections and understanding," said Alison Barrett MBE, Director India, British Council

In Delhi, the screening on the 13th shall be followed by a discussion with the Indian Director Kumar Chheda on his short film Halfway. 

Kumar Chheda, Director of Halfway, says: “Halfway is about the things you do, the extra miles you go to make love work. This is why the #FiveFilmsForFreedom programme is the most appropriate place for the world to see the film. For an emerging filmmaker from India, there could have been no greater joy than to see my film reach audiences around the world. I am thrilled that Halfway is the selection from India as the programme celebrates its 10th year.”

The other films on the list are:

• Little One, Directed by Clister Santos (Philippines)
• Cursive, Directed by Isabel Steubel Johnson (UK)
• The First Kiss, Directed by Miguel Lafuente (Spain)
• Comptons’22, Directed by Drew de Pinto (USA)
  
  The films will be available to the audiences to view online from 13-24 March. Audiences in India are encouraged to watch the films and share their experiences using the hashtag #FiveFilmsForFreedom.