Out Laws Film | Colonial Laws, Queer Resilience & BFI Flare 2026

In this episode of 1946: The Culture Shift Tour – UK, we sit down with James Lewis and Lexi Powner, the filmmakers behind Out Laws, a groundbreaking documentary exploring the global impact of colonial anti-LGBTQ laws.   We’re celebrating Out Laws being officially selected for BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 2026.The film follows activist litigants challenging criminalization laws across Namibia, Sri Lanka, and the Caribbean — laws that trace back to British colonial legislation from 1533.We discuss:• Colonial legacy and LGBTQ criminalization• Resilience in the face of violence• Immigration and asylum challenges• Conversion therapy legislation in the UK• The role of the Church of England• Trans rights and political scapegoating• Documentary filmmaking as activismLearn more about Out Laws:https://OutlawsFilm.comBFI Flare Festival:https://www.bfi.org.uk/flareWatch 1946:https://www.1946themovie.com🎬 FILM & FESTIVALOut Laws (Official Site)https://outlawsfilm.comOut Laws Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/outlawsfilmBFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festivalhttps://www.bfi.org.uk/flareBritish Film Institute (BFI)https://www.bfi.org.uk🎥 PRODUCTION COMPANYThe Good Side (James Lewis’ company)https://thegoodside.co.uk🏳️‍🌈 HUMAN RIGHTS & ADVOCACY ORGANISATIONSHuman Dignity Trust(Works to decriminalise LGBTQ+ people globally)https://www.humandignitytrust.orgKaleidoscope Trust(UK-based LGBTQ+ human rights charity)https://www.kaleidoscopetrust.comUK Black Pridehttps://www.ukblackpride.org.ukOPAL (Organisation for Refuge, Asylum & Migration Support)https://www.opal.org.uk(If confirming exact group name from film credits, double-check spelling before publishing)⚖️ POLITICAL & LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT (Mentioned in Discussion)UK Parliamenthttps://www.parliament.ukLabour Party UKhttps://labour.org.ukReform UKhttps://www.reformparty.uk⛪ RELIGIOUS CONTEXTChurch of Englandhttps://www.churchofengland.orgArchbishop of Canterburyhttps://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org🌍 HISTORICAL CONTEXTUK Parliamentary Archiveshttps://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/parliamentary-archives(Reference to 1533 Buggery Act under Henry VIII)🎬 1946 PROJECT LINKS1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culturehttps://www.1946themovie.com🎟️ HOW TO WATCH OUT LAWS AT BFI FLARE 2026BFI Flare Festival Page:https://www.bfi.org.uk/flareBFI Ticketing Portal:https://whatson.bfi.org.uk