Five Films for Freedom, the world’s widest-reaching LGBTQIA+ digital campaign, returns this March. For this year’s run, the British Council in the Philippines is partnering with Film Development Council in the Philippines (FDCP) to bring free screenings at Cinematheque Centres in the country from 21-22 March 2023.
Five Films for Freedom
Public screening schedules
FDCP Cinematheque Centre – Manila
22 March 2023, 6:30 PM
FDCP Cinematheque Centre – Iloilo, Davao, Zamboanga, Nabunturan, Negros
21 March 2023, 4:00 PM
22 March 2023, 6:30 PM
Outside of the in-person screenings, audiences can also catch the films online from 15-26 March, coinciding with the BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival.
The selection of films, chosen by the British Council from BFI Flare’s programme, explores subjects such as violence and security, love across borders and shifting identities. The films in 2023 are:
All I Know by Obinna Robert Onyeri (Nigeria/USA)
Butch Up! by Yu-jin Lee (South Korea)
Eating Papaw on the Seashore by Rae Wiltshire and Nickose Layne (Guyana)
Just Johnny by Terry Loane (UK – Northern Ireland)
Buffer Zone by Savvas Stavrou (UK/Cyprus)
Global audiences are encouraged to show solidarity with LGBTQIA+ communities around the world where freedom and equal rights are limited by watching the films via the British Council Arts YouTube channel and through other channels in countries with access restrictions.
Since 2015 and with the programmes live for less than 100 days, Five Films for Freedom films have been viewed 20 million times by people in over 200 countries and principalities, including all parts of the world where homosexuality is criminalised, and all countries where the death penalty is in place.
British Council Director of Film, Briony Hanson, said:
“Five Films for Freedom promotes rarely heard LGBTQIA+ stories from around the world, and makes them accessible to a global audience, particularly for people living in cultures where they cannot live or love as they would like.
“People can support this campaign through the hashtag #FiveFilmsForFreedom to drive home the message that love is a human right, no matter how we identify or where we are.”
Michael Blyth, BFI Flare’s Senior Programmer said:
“We are delighted to once again be partnering with the British Council on Five Films for Freedom. This global campaign is an essential part of the BFI Flare programme, and it’s a privilege to share the work of these hugely talented filmmakers with millions of people around the world, many of whom do not have the same level of access to LGBTQIA+ film, or the rights to express themselves freely. This year’s campaign remains as vital and urgent as ever.”
Watch the Five Films for Freedom campaign trailer on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3Inf1ka
Five Films for Freedom continues the British Council’s work building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and overseas through arts, education and English language teaching. This year the five selected titles have been translated and made available with subtitles/closed captioning in 23 languages.
During BFI Flare, the Five Films for Freedom programme and filmmakers are presented at a special reception event for politicians in Westminster.
