Films can help us understand different perspectives by introducing us to different people, cultures and perspectives. By seeing the world through someone else’s eyes, we can gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and challenges. All of which can help us develop a greater sense of compassion and inspire us to take action to make a positive change in the world. Watch with family or friends at home, or with your community or group, and take inspiration from our Watch a Film Simple Act page.

If you’d like to host a screening of a film at your workplace, arts, community space, school or elsewhere, you’ll need permissions to screen most films publicly. Gov.uk says: you need a ‘non-theatrical’ film licence to show films and TV programmes in public, for example:

  • at one-off events
  • at film clubs – whether or not you sell tickets
  • in common areas for guests, residents and passengers
  • in retail and entertainment venues
  • The one exception is curriculum-based screenings in state schools, where you do not need your own licence.

However, we have some wonderful friends who allow you to screen their films for Refugee Week 2023 and all year round. 

 

Matar

Directed by Bafta-winning director, Hassan Akkad, MATAR is a WaterBear Original following the story of an asylum seeker in England who, when confronted with the hostile immigration system in the UK, is forced to live on the fringes of society and rely on his bike to survive. The docu-fiction is produced by Deadbeat Studios in association with Choose Love. More info & how to watch here: waterbe.ar/matar 

https://join.waterbear.com/matar

Name Me Lawand

Five-year-old Lawand is on a quest to find a world where there are people like him – people who will understand him. Since birth, Lawand has been profoundly Deaf and unable to communicate with those around him. He undertakes a treacherous journey with his family from Iraq to Derby, home of the Royal School for the Deaf. But this new life soon comes under threat when the family face deportation. Along with members of the Derby community, they begin a new quest – a fight to stay in the place they now call home. Employing a striking visual style that frames Lawand’s development, from being voiceless to a voice representing others in the D/deaf community, Lovelace’s (The Possibilities Are Endless, LFF 2014) documentary is an inspirational and touching coming-of-age story.

https://www2.bfi.org.uk/distribution/contact_us

Voyagers 

Voyagers is a documentary that centres on two undocumented, unnamed humans who recount their journey across Libya to Italy. It uses interviews, spoken word and archive footage to share their voyage along a route that continues to be used to this day and reflect on their welcome to Europe. (40mins in duration).

Contact: indieproductionflo@gmail.com

Hostile

Hostile is an award-winning feature-length documentary written, produced and directed by BAFTA-longlisted filmmaker Sonita Gale.

Told through the stories of four participants from Black and Asian backgrounds, Hostile reveals the human stories behind the government’s “hostile environment” policies. Hostile is available to watch online. You can also show Hostile to your community by hosting your own screening. https://www.hostiledocumentary.com/impact/host-a-screening/

The Women Inside

The Women Inside follows four fictional Black, migrant and refugee women as they express the trials and tribulations of going through the criminal justice and asylum systems in the UK. Watch the trailer here.

If you’re interested in screening this 10-minute verbatim film please contact the team: bethany@blankcheque.org, tolu@storycompound.com, hazel@hibiscus.org.uk

Samos on Fire

In a refugee camp in Samos, Greece, a group of musicians from Africa and the Middle East meet up to make music. There’s no stopping their sessions despite having to contend with fires, earthquakes, and worst of all… the bewildering asylum process.

If you would like to find out more about the film or screen it, email samosonfire@gmail.com  

https://www.samosonfire.com/

On Our Doorstep: A Calais Documentary

When the Calais Jungle was ignored & condemned by authorities, ordinary people stepped in to support the refugees. This is the untold story of the volunteers and those they tried to help.
Contact Jeva Films Limited, info@jevafilms.com
Contact: Johanna Von Salmuth

 

You can also attend any amount of the amazing film screenings happening in London and around UK during Refugee Week 2023!