Five Films for Freedom 2025: Stream LGBTQ+ short films online starting March 19

The British Council's Five Films for Freedom is back this March, featuring powerful short films celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

Five Films for Freedom 2025 will run from March 19 to 30. Viewers can stream the movies online for free via the British Arts YouTube channel.

The program is in collaboration with BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival. This year's Five Film for Freedoms lineup includes short films from Indonesia, New Zealand, the United States, China, and the United Kingdom.

The British Council launched Five Films for Freedom in 2015 to spotlight the works of up-and-coming and underrepresented queer filmmakers. Since its inception, the program has reached 26 million people the world over.

"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," British Council in the Philippines Head of Arts Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan said in a statement.

Film lineup

"DragFox" by Lisa Ott follows the story of Sam, who feels confused about her gender identity. Sam encounters a fox (voiced by Ian McKellen) and the two embark on a self-discovery musical journey.

"If I Make it to the Morning" by Andre Shen is about Chinese teen Ziyo. She stays with her aunt in New York, where she hopes to study, but tension arises when a revelation is made.

Oktania Hamdani and Winner Wijaya's "NGGAK!!!" centers on girlfriends Sekar and Bebi, who are both gamers. Sekar's mother suddenly calls with news that she is arranging a match for her.

"We'll Go Down in History" by Cameron Richards and Charlie Tidmas is a documentary about TRUK United, a trans football club that was established in 2021. It follows the club's journey in creating a safe community despite discrimination and transphobia.

Lastly, Ramon Te Wake's "Wait, Wait, Now!" is about good friends Alex and Sam. While alone at home, the two raid Mum's closet, and they are caught by their parents.

Aside from the online streaming, there will be on-site screenings as well in select locations, namely Lawak Sinehan in the University of the Philippines Cebu, Cebu City; the Cinematheque in the Negros Museum, Bacolod City;and the National Teachers College, Manila.  

On-site screening schedule

Lawak Sinehan, UP Cebu

• March 19, 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Cinematheque, Negros Museum

• March 21, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. to 6:40 p.m

National Teachers College, Manila

• March 24, 26, 27, 28

— CDC, GMA Integrated News