Five powerful stories of love, courage, secrets and betrayal are coming to Cyprus this week, presenting works by filmmakers from around the globe. The Five Films for Freedom event taking place at the Home for Cooperation on Thursday is an annual global short film programme that will be presented in Cyprus for the first time, organised by the British Council, in collaboration with Queer Wave.

Delivered in partnership with BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, the film screenings will commence at 7pm with free entry and subtitles in English. Apart from cinematic stories that remind viewers of the need for love and self-expression – universal desires – a panel discussion will take place after the screenings moderated by Queer Wave Artistic Director Diego Aparicio, followed by a cheese and wine reception.

The screenings will take place between 7.30pm and 8.30pm starting with Lisa Ott’s Dragfox which tells the story of 11-year-old Sam who is struggling with gender identity until a mischievous fox takes them on a dazzling, all-singing, all-dancing journey of self-discovery. Then the If I Make It to the Morning film will be screened about Chinese teenager Ziyi who spends the final night of her cross-state college tour at her cool aunt’s apartment in New York. As she starts to think this place could be perfect, an unexpected revelation brings tension to the group.

The Indonesian film NGGAK!!! Will follow. In it, Sekar and Bebi’s love story unfolds in the digital world -laughing, gaming, and sharing memes. But when Sekar’s mother calls with life-changing news, reality comes to bite.

Next will be the New Zealand film Wait, Wait, Now! which follows best friends Alex and Sam. When they are left home alone, they do what some teenage boys do – raid mum’s wardrobe, play dress-up, and step into a world where they feel truly themselves, until their secret fantasy collides with reality.

The final film is the heartfelt documentary We’ll Go Down in History which tells the story of TRUK United, a grassroots, proudly trans football club, following the team as they strive to create a safe haven for their community in the face of rising transphobia.

Following the completion of the short film screenings, a discussion will be held along with a cocktail and mingling session where attendees will be able to share thoughts and make connections.

Five Films for Freedom

Queer short films screenings. March 27. Home for Cooperation, Nicosia. 7pm. Free. With English subtitles