Living in Colour is a celebration of queerness and the representation of LGBTQ+ characters in film brought to you by the BFI Young Film Programmer's. The programme showcases what it feels like to come of age in an inclusive landscape that celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community while also highlighting the realities that are faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Films have a focus on the idea of finding acceptance and community, with an emphasis on creating a safe space for marginalised identities.

The film season will take place on Monday 14th February, with a screening of Rafiki at 4pm and Pariah at 6pm.

To ensure inclusivity for all, screenings will be autism and wheelchair friendly. We want to create a safe space for all audience members at Living in Colour so that they can find solace and community in one another and leave feeling proud of who they are.

Statement from the Young Programmers:

We wanted to include a range of films that portray a diverse scope of people. In doing this, we hope whoever is watching can relate with elements of the films to ensure everyone feels included, which is the main goal of our festival. The films we chose include people from different aspects of the LGBTQIA+ community as well as different backgrounds, races, and cultures. We feel like these films are authentic and represent the community well, rather than built on stereotypes and stigmas, allowing people to feel represented by what they see on screen.

Growing up as part of the LGBTQ+ community can often feel very isolating, especially when there is so little representation of those identities in mainstream media: Giving queer films and filmmakers a platform to tell their story allows queer people to see themself on screen and may help them realise they are not alone in how they identify or in what they are going through. In a society where LGBTQ+ media is often underrepresented or pushed to the side, we hope this season may help some people understand the importance of queer representation in film. Also creating a safe environment where people can be themselves no matter their identity is important to us, as some people may grow up without easy access to those spaces.

Rafiki (12A)

Mon 14 Feb, 16:00

“Good Kenyan girls become good Kenyan wives,” but Kena and Ziki long for something more. When romance blossoms between the two Kenyan girls, they must choose between their happiness and their safety. A vibrant, vital film buzzing with chemistry between its two leads.

Book Tickets

Pariah (15)

Mon 14 Feb, 18:00

17 year-old Alike quietly but surely embraces her identity as a lesbian. Growing up in Brooklyn, as a straight-A student and talented poet, she is comfortable with who she is, but faces the difficulty of encouraging her family’s acceptance.

Book tickets