Films open windows to experiences we’ve never had, places we’ve never visited, and voices we might not often hear from. They allow us to understand challenges we might never face and meet incredible people whose resilience and courage have the power to inspire us to think differently and act with compassion.

This Refugee Week, we invite you to immerse yourself in stories that amplify voices from displaced backgrounds. From powerful journeys of survival to the inspiring work of changemakers, watching these films allows us to practice our solidarity and be starting points to motivate change in our own lives.

Whether you’re watching solo, gathering friends and family, or hosting a public screening event, these films offer the chance to build empathy and spark action.

🎬 Ways to Get Involved

1. Watch a film at home — gather friends and family for a movie night.
2. Organise a screening — host a public or workplace event.
3. Attend a film event — check out what’s on near you.

Please note: If you’d like to host a screening, remember for some films you’ll need a “non-theatrical” film licence for public events. This includes film clubs, one-off events, or screenings in public spaces. One exception: state schools offering curriculum-based screenings. More information about how to do this below.

🎥 Must-Watch Recommendations for Refugee Week

The 2025 film programme is coming soon! In the meantime, explore our current selections…

Curated Film Collections

• Channel 4: A special Refugee Week playlist of 12 films and documentaries, available on their streaming platform.
• MUBI: Launching Oscar-nominated Io Capitano by Matteo Garrone for Refugee Week.
• BFI Player: A Refugee Week collection featuring both free and rental films.

Make this Refugee Week unforgettable by celebrating the power of storytelling through film. Start planning your watchlist or screening event today! 🎞️

Free Global Refugee Week Film Programme

Explore these hand-picked films from 2024 curated by Other Cinemas and Counterpoints Arts. All are available globally, with rights and licensing covered for public screenings. – Coming soon!

• 3 feature-length films and 6 short films available to watch globally for free (all rights & licensing provided) from our 2024 theme of “Our Home” (curated by Other Cinemas) 

Feature:

• Ali’s Wedding
• Io Capitano
• Drift
• Flee
• Green Border
• Limbo 
• Opponent
• The Old Oak
• The Swimmers 

Children:

• Leaving Home: A Story of Migration (Animation)
• Into Film

Short Films:

• Hostile Environment 
• Matar 
• My (Refugee) Life
• No Crying at the Dinner Table
• Cab Ride
• Iranian Yellow Pages
• Rituals: NOWRUZ
• Stone Flowers- Songs of Hope and Defiance
• Films on Living in Limbo: Indigenous Saharawi’s situation of statelessness
• Voyagers (from the director “Folks can screen the film via YouTube for free. If anyone wants to contact me, e.g. so I can join a discussion, best done via my social media – @hasandfilm or via email @hasandfilm”)

TV:

• Home 
• Mo 
• Superstore

Documentary:

• Flee 
• Forgotten in Exile (The Road to Nowhere)
• For Sama
• Name me Lawand 
• On Our Doorstep
• The Holy Land and Us 
• The Real Mo Farah
• We Dare to Dream

Watch a Film is one of nine Simple Acts you can do for Refugee Week 2025. To view them all, visit the Simple Acts page. This year’s Simple Acts are illustrated by the Moomins, you can access the illustrations & guidelines for use via the social media pack.