Celebrating a long-standing partnership, the British Council, UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities and British Film Institute Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, announced the return of ‘Five Films For Freedom’ from 18-29 March 2026. Celebrating queer storytelling and the freedom to love, the 12th edition of the annual programme will spotlight five powerful LGBTQIA+ short films from filmmakers from UK, Mexico, Brazil, Vietnam and France. The films will be available to audiences worldwide to stream online for free via the British Council’s digital platforms, and on BFI Player in the UK.
Since its launch in 2015, ‘Five Films For Freedom’ has reached 29 million people, in over 200 countries. This year’s programme presents a bold selection of global LGBTQIA+ stories that span intimacy, identity, resilience and belonging across generations and geographies.
The India programme also launches ‘Echoes Beyond the Stage’, a report marking four years of Language is a Queer Thing and its impact in nurturing a cross-border community of LGBTQIA+ poets across India and the UK.
Rafiul Alom Rahman, Director of The Queer Muslim Project, added, “We are delighted to collaborate with British Council to present #FiveFilmsForFreedom, a powerful platform for showcasing diverse LGBTQIA+ stories from around the world while sparking conversations on inclusion. This is reflected in our 2026 India programme through community screenings, masterclasses, industry conversations, and the launch of our report, ‘Echoes Beyond the Stage’, which celebrates 4 years of India-UK poetry exchange.”
Kristy Matheson, Director of BFI Festivals, said: “These stories move across borders instantly. They show everyday courage, tenderness and identity, and when they’re seen globally they create connection in places where representation still really matters. The five films will be available to stream for free worldwide via the British Council’s digital platforms and on BFI Player in the UK.”
British Council partners with The Queer Muslim Project for 14 screenings across 10 cities in India with 10 partners.
Screening Schedule
| North India | ||||
| City | Activities | Date | Time | Venue |
| New Delhi | Screening & Conversation at British Council New Delhi, featuring the launch of Language is a Queer Thing impact report | 27 March | 17:30 | British Council New Delhi |
| Screening | 22 March | 16:00 | India Habitat Centre | |
| Chandigarh | Screening | 23 March | 15:30 | Alliance Francaise
Chandigarh |
| Jodhpur | Screening | 22 March | 15:00 | Sambhali Trust |
| East & North-East India | ||||
| City | Activities | Date | Time | Venue |
| Kolkata | Screening | 27 March | 18:00 | British Council Library |
| Santiniketan | Screening | 27 March | 17:30 | Arthshila |
| West India | ||||
| City | Activities | Date | Time | Venue |
| Mumbai | Screening & Film Masterclass | 28 March | 18:00 | Little Theatre, NCPA |
| Screening | 23 March | 14:30 | Whistling Woods Auditorium | |
| Pune | Screening | 19 March | 17:00 | Pune International Centre |
| Ahmedabad | Screening | 18 March | 19:00 | Conflictorium |
|
Screening |
21 March | 18:30 | Arthshila | |
| South India | ||||
| City | Activities | Date | Time | Venue |
| Bengaluru | Screening & Panel Discussion | 25 March | 18:30 | Alliance Française Bangalore |
| Screening & Discussion | 28 March | 18:30 | Third Space Indiranagar | |
| Chennai | Clowning Workshop | 28 March | 10:00 | Alliance Française Chennai |
| Screening & Q&A | 28 March | 17:00 | Alliance Française Chennai | |
Find out more about Five Films for Freedom.
Watch the trailer here.
This year’s five featured films are:
I Hate Helen
Directed by Katie Lambert (UK – 7 minutes)
Priya hates Helen. She hates her in the canteen. Hates her in science. Especially hates her at swimming. Mostly, Priya hates the way Helen makes her feel. A short film about the tidal wave of gay lust some girls feel in school and letting those feelings just wash over you.
Rag Dolls
Directed by Amy Adler (USA / Mexico – 12 minutes)
Married couple Rosalinda (born with spina bifida) and Diana (who has cerebral palsy) navigate life in Puebla, Mexico, where disability intersects with discrimination and poverty. Abandoned by family, underserved by government support systems, and facing persistent homophobia, the women have built a life centred on mutual care and protection. Observing a single ordinary day, the film follows their routines, a romantic date, and moments of reflection on their enduring love.
Room 206
Directed by Laurie Bisceglia (France – 16 minutes)
After undergoing gender-affirming surgery, Clair no longer cares what the world thinks. Reclaiming his body becomes a path toward self-recognition for the first time in his life. This documentary accompanies him not only through physical change, but towards emotional renewal and a new beginning.
Sweat (Mô Hôi)
Directed by Edward Nguyen (Vietnam – 15 minutes)
On the eve of leaving rural Vietnam, farm worker Hung prepares to illegally cross the border in search of refuge abroad. Defined by routine and labour, his final day with Hoang, a fellow worker, reshapes his understanding of desire, intimacy and selfhood.
Theo
Directed by Monica Palazzo & Joana Galvão (Brazil -15 minutes)
Brazil, 1986. During the World Cup, seven-year-old Theo quietly navigates school life while defying rigid gender expectations. Between silence and rebellion, they begin inventing their own way of existing.
