Five films, five powerful stories

Five Films for Freedom returns on 19 March 2025, showcasing five powerful LGBTIQ+ short films from Indonesia, New Zealand, United States, China and the United Kingdom. A celebration of queer storytelling and the universal right to love, the British Council presents the programme in partnership with BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival.

Five Films for Freedom has amplified diverse LGBTIQ+ voices worldwide for over a decade, reaching 26 million people across 200+ countries and territories. This year, in addition to global online access, the British Council brings these films to local audiences in the Philippines by hosting in-person screenings and creating meaningful spaces for discussion, representation, and solidarity.

Selections

This year’s selection offers bold, thought-provoking narratives that explore resilience, identity, and belonging.

In DragFox (UK, eight minutes), directed by Lisa Ott, 11-year-old Sam, struggling with their gender identity, feels lost — until a mischievous fox (voiced by Ian McKellen) leaps through their window, leading them on a musical journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

On the final night of her college tour, Chinese teen Ziyi stays with her cool aunt in New York, dreaming of studying there — until an unexpected revelation stirs tension in Andre Shen’s If I Make it to the Morning (USA and China, nine minutes).

While gaming online, girlfriends Sekar and Bebi share laughs and memes — until Sekar’s mother calls, arranging a match for her. Can she make her mother see she’s already found the one? Watch NGGAK!!! (Indonesia, eight minutes), directed by Oktania Hamdani and Winner Wijaya.

In a heartfelt two-year documentary following TRUK United, We’ll Go Down in History (UK, 25 minutes), directed by Cameron Richards and Charlie Tidmas, a proudly trans football club founded in 2021, as they battle challenges on and off the pitch to build a safe, inclusive community amid rising transphobia.

Left home alone, best friends Alex and Sam raid Mum’s wardrobe, embracing a fantasy world where they feel safe — until their parents catch on. Is their bubble about to burst? Find out in Wait, Wait, Now! (New Zealand, 12 minutes), directed by Ramon Te Wake.

Philippine screenings

The British Council in the Philippines is bringing these films to physical venues, allowing audiences to experience their impact in a communal setting. These screenings will not only celebrate LGBTIQ+ storytelling but also spark important conversations about identity, representation, and inclusion in the Philippine context.

“Five Films for Freedom is more than just a film programme — it’s a global movement that champions freedom of expression and the right to love without barriers. By sharing these stories, we continue to create safe spaces for dialogue, representation, and solidarity for the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines and beyond,” said Lotus Postrado, country director of the British Council in the Philippines.

“British Council’s Five Films for Freedom is an important platform to highlight LGBTQIA+ narratives, especially here in the Philippines where there is such a rich queer history — from the precolonial babaylans to the fledgling ballroom scene and world-class drag performances that we see today. However, it is critical that we show audiences the diversity of LGBTQIA+ stories — capturing the everyday lives of queer people and centering those who are not necessarily represented in mainstream culture. The hope is for Filipino audiences to resonate with these films and for the British Council to hold space for difficult conversations and encourage understanding and allyship in our communities,” added Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan, head of Arts of the British Council in the Philippines.

These in-person screenings will be held in partnership with University of the Philippines-Cebu in Cebu City, Cebu; Negros Museum in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; and National Teachers College ensuring that diverse audiences can engage with the films and the conversations they inspire.

The films will be screened Lawak Sinehan of UP Cebu (19 March, open to the public, with post-screening panel); Cinematheque at Negros Museum (21 March, open to the public, afternoon session with post-screening panel); and National Teachers College (24, 26, 27, and 28 March, private screenings).

Alongside the events, audiences worldwide can watch the films for free online from 19 to 30 March via Youtube and through the British Council’s digital platforms.

A global platform for LGBTIQ+ voices

Since its launch in 2015, Five Films for Freedom has provided a global stage for emerging and underrepresented queer filmmakers, fostering dialogue on LGBTIQ+ rights through the power of film. Now in its 11th year, the initiative continues to stand as a testament to the power of storytelling in building understanding and empathy across cultures.

“Five Films for Freedom has always been about more than just showcasing great LGBTQIA+ films — it’s a commitment to creating a space where stories that are often marginalised can thrive. This year’s selection reflects a diversity of voices and experiences that continue to challenge assumptions about identity, love, and belonging. As we enter our 11th year of partnership with BFI Flare, we’re excited to see how these films will spark conversations and inspire action in the face of growing challenges to LGBTQIA+ rights worldwide,” said Briony Hanson, director of Film of the British Council.

“BFI Flare is a place for community, thought, and discussion through films, and over the last decade, it’s been a privilege and a joy for our team to work with filmmakers and the British Council to expand this space across the globe. As we embark on the 11th edition of Five Films For Freedom, we continue to be inspired by the enormous creativity of LGBTQIA+ storytelling and the power of the short film medium to spark connection and conversation,” said Kristy Matheson, director of BFI Festivals.

For more details, visit https://www.britishcouncil.ph/programme/arts/five-films-for-freedom.