British Council celebrates a decade of LGBTQ+ stories

‘Compton’s 22,’ directed by Drew de Pinto.

Five Films for Freedom, the world’s widest-reaching LGBTQ+ digital campaign, returns this March bringing five new films from the Philippines, India, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, to audiences across the world.

Over two weeks, from 13 to 24 March, audiences worldwide are invited to dive into the world of LGBTQ+ cinema from the comfort of their own homes and watch the films online for free.

The film program continues the British Council’s partnership with BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, with the short films promoted across the British Council’s global digital networks and BFI Player for free.

The 10th anniversary edition will showcase global LGBTQ+ stories that resonate with strength and spirit, from the historic defiance of Compton’s 22 in San Francisco to the heartfelt journey of love and understanding in Halfway. This year’s selection, including Little One, Cursive and The First Kiss, dives deep into themes of family, identity and the universal quest for acceptance. 

“We are immensely proud to mark the 10th anniversary of Five Films for Freedom,” said British Council Director of Film Briony Hanson. “This platform has not only provided a vital space for LGBTQIA+ stories to be heard but has also fostered a global movement for equality and acceptance. As we celebrate this milestone, we invite audiences everywhere to join us in championing love in all its forms.”

Audiences in Philippines are encouraged to watch the films online for free and share their experiences using the hashtag #FiveFilmsForFreedom. For more information and to access the films, visit the British Arts YouTube channel.

“It is a privilege to showcase the exceptional work of these immensely talented filmmakers to audiences worldwide and we are truly proud to have a Filipino film included in this year’s selection,” said Lotus Postrado, British Council in the Philippines country director. “Throughout the 10-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.”

Five Films for Freedom is an annual online celebration of global LGBTQ+ stories, presented in partnership with BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival. Launched in 2014 by the British Council and the British Film Institute, the initiative aims to amplify LGBTQ+ voices and advocate for love as a human right.

‘Cursive,’ directed by Isabel Steubel Johnson.
‘Halfway,’ directed by Kumar Chheda.
‘Little One,’ directed by Clister Santos.
‘The First Kiss,’ directed by Miguel Lafuente. | Photographs courtesy of British Council

Selections for the 2024 Five Films for Freedom

• Little One, directed by Clister Santos (Philippines, nine minutes). A pregnant mother, unsure of how to raise a child, arranges an interview with her two gay dads but fate intervenes when his dad suffers a heart attack. Her dad reflects on their family’s history, captured on an old camcorder.

• Halfway, directed by Kumar Chheda (India,14 minutes). A turbulent couple ends up at different entrances of Juhu Beach, forcing them to walk towards each other and meet halfway.

• Cursive, directed by Isabel Steubel Johnson (United Kingdom, nine minutes). When a woman on the verge of a breakup gets help from a mysterious stranger to improve her handwriting, she finds the inner voice she longed for all along.

• The First Kiss, directed by Miguel Lafuente (Spain, nine minutes). Andi is going to Madrid to have his first date with a boy he’s met online.

• Compton’s 22, directed by Drew de Pinto (United States, 18 mins). Three years prior to Stonewall, transgender sex workers and drag queens revolted against police violence at Compton’s Cafeteria in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district.