On this page - Five Films for Freedom 2026:
I HATE HELEN | RAG DOLLS | ROOM 206 | SWEAT | THEO


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Playing out as a comical rant, this clever short expresses a complex range of feelings in a very brief running time. Writer-director Katie Lambert has an astute eye for everyday ironies, including the way young people are obsessed with appearances due to social media pressures. And the more internalised thoughts and feelings are both funny and moving.

In school, teen Priyanka (Verma) is overwhelmed with loathing for her classmate Helen (Allen), who barges into her space at the lunchroom table. When her friends catch her staring at Helen in class, Priyanka lies that she's in love with Tariq and planning to snog him at tonight's dance. But Priyanka lets her imagination run away from her. And a touch on the arm nearly sends her over the edge.

These girls feel like they are living the most important time of their life, and the film skilfully captures their sassy interaction along with the surging feelings they are struggling to control. It's clear from the start that Priyanka's obsession with Helen has nothing to do with hatred, so it's hilarious to see her indulge in her fantasy before being slammed back into the real world. The camerawork and editing capture teen life with real flair, making witty observations that carry a wonderful kick.

26.Mar.26

From Mexico, this documentary observes a day in the life of a disabled couple who get no support from their families because of their sexuality, and the government doesn't help them either. But they remain fiercely independent in their wheelchairs, rejecting any limitations. Filmmaker Amy Adler simply follows them with a camera as they describe the challenges in their life. It's warm, witty and very moving.

Born with spina bifida, Rosalinda met her wife Diana on Facebook in 2014. And they have lived together ever since, with the addition of two cute little dogs. Diana has cerebral palsy, and doesn't go outside as much as Rosalinda. She was never able to do anything for herself as a child, so her family called her a rag doll. Rehab helped give her more confidence; Rosalinda changed her life, offering new freedom. And while they're happy with their life, they face homophobia every day.

This couple's optimism is inspiring. Rosalinda is proud that she can take care of Diana. They love their accessible apartment, even though they hear gunshots in the neighbourhood. Constantly challenged by health and financial issues, and relentless discrimination, they are articulate and likeable, making plans for the future. The love between them is beautiful and strong. And this heartwarming little film has real power in watching them leave their home, hail a cab and have dinner at a restaurant.

26.Mar.26

Quick-paced and intimately shot, this French documentary follows a trans man through the process of gender-affirming surgery. Filmmaker Laurie Bisceglia presents clips out of sequence, which is a little disorienting, but a bigger picture emerges that is involving and moving.

Clair is a charming, mischievous man who is first seen preparing to undergo a torsoplasty. He feels that looking at his body is a surprise: it just isn't right. Cameras observe him admitting himself to hospital, going through the procedure and then requesting painkillers afterward. Overthinking about his identity makes him hungry, and he's obsessed with ice cream.

Feeling that things are starting to shift, Clair's optimistic outlook shines through. He speaks about talking with his parents, asking his mother to stop crying. All of this is shown in brief clips, often shot in closeup without much in the way of context. But it's important to tell stories like this in such an honest, warm and engaging way. And the final sting is lovely.

26.Mar.26

Opening with shots of morning sun, a mosquito net and working in the fields, this Vietnamese short beautifully captures its natural settings, complete with a lovely ambient sound mix. Director-cowriter Edward Nguyan creates something that's atmospheric and somewhat elusive, but it vividly captures the intimacy of a close friendship that is about to change.

Feeling trapped in his rural village, Hung (Duc Huy Nguyen) has decided to leave tomorrow for Saigon. At a campfire on the beach with his friend and fellow farm worker Hoang (Le Cao Sang), Hung gets philosophical about eating fish. They also speak about a mutual friend who got married and moved away to have a happy life, while everything back home changed. And now no one remembers him.

Clearly Hung is struggling to define his own future, especially in relation to his close connection with Hoang. So the observation that souls live on in each other feels especially powerful. It's a thoughtful and understated film, with extremely soft-spoken dialog that ripples with tender emotions. And most importantly, this is a lovely look at the internalised struggle for queer people in much of the world.

21.Mar.26

Beautifully shot from a child's perspective, this Brazilian short is edited sharply to propel the story with energy and musicality. It also features a terrific young cast that adeptly captures the sensibilities of a range of lively characters. This is an important film that cleverly depicts how everyone needs to plot their own course through life.

At a school in 1986, the kids are playing sports with the current World Cup on their mind. Theo (Ramos) plays alone and, when classmates ask whether they're a boy or a girl, refuses to answer. As the class discusses aspirations, everyone teases Theo for saying they want to be a female football player, because there's no such thing. But Theo is determined to carve out their own space, and proves themselves to the other kids on the pitch.

With its cheeky, witty tone, the film quickly gets under the skin, cleverly observing the interaction between these children in an almost fly-on-the-wall style. This gives it an almost disarmingly authentic tone that allows the deeper ideas to emerge with real power. Theo is a very smart child, watching the interaction between the other kids and choosing their moments carefully. And the film amusingly suggests that this echoes how Maradona broke the rules to score with his hand to beat England in the final.

26.Mar.26