The world’s largest LGBTQI digital campaign reminds audiences that love is still a human right 🌈
BY SOPHIE GRIFFITHS
It’s back! Five Films For Freedom, the world’s largest LGBTQI digital campaign, will return for 2021 as part of BFI Flare to remind audiences that love is still a human right. Broadcasting five brand new queer films globally, this year’s line-up will showcase LGBTQI narratives from India, Spain, Sweden, the USA and the UK.
Carefully selected by the British Council, this year’s five films will explore emerging sexuality, trans-activism, homophobia and genderless love. The campaign for 2021 will acknowledge that links between global LGBTQI communities have been adversely impacted by Covid-19 restrictions. In response, the campaign’s call-to-action – asking audiences to share the films widely using the hashtag #FiveFilmsForFreedom – serves as a timely reminder thatlove is still a human right for LGBTQI communities who continue to feel isolated.
The British Council’s Director of Film, Briony Hanson, commented: “After such a remarkable and difficult year, it feels so good to be able to send a positive message of support and solidarity to LGBTIQ+ communities the world over, by inviting audiences everywhere to watch Five Films For Freedom. The range of experiences shown and the diversity of voices reveal that wherever you are, the campaign’s message – that love is still a human right – is more relevant than ever.”
All films will be available to view from 17 – 28 March 2021 via the British Council Arts YouTube channel, and you can vote for your favourite via the British Council website poll. Check out the Five Films For Freedom below!
Five Films For Freedom programme 2021:
Bodies Of Desire
Directed by Varsha Panikar and multi-award-winner Saad Nawab, uses Indian poet Panikar’s work as the basis for a visual, poetic film capturing four sets of lovers in a sensual celebration of genderless love and desire.
Land Of The Free
This tense Swedish drama follows the fictionalDavid and friends as they celebrate his birthday with a nightly swim at the beach. The good mood swiftly changes after two straight couples walk by and laugh – was the laughter directed at them, or something else? Who owns the truth of exactly what happened?
Pure
The fictional debut from 2020 Directors Guild of America Student Film Award winner Natalie Jasmine Harris, centring on a young Black girl grappling with her queer identity and ideas of ‘purity’. The film is written, produced and directed by Harris – a filmmaker passionate about the intersection between filmmaking and social justice.
Trans Happiness Is Real
A moving documentary from first-time filmmaker Quinton Baker – sees transgender activists take to the streets of Oxford, England to fight anti-trans sentiments using the power of graffiti and street art.
Victoria
A bittersweet reunion between a trans woman and her ex, sparks tension and long buried resentment. Directed by award-winning filmmaker, Daniel Toledo, Victoria also features acclaimed trans actress, writer and director Abril Zamora (The Life Ahead, The Mess You Leave Behind).
You can head to the BFI Flare website here for more information and to grab your tickets for the festival. 🎬
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