Celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month: When Love Broke the Law (12A)
As part of our contribution to LGBTQ+ History Month this February, we’re hosting a full day of events celebrating queer history, creativity and activism.
Iris on the Move is the annual touring showcase from the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival, bringing award-winning short films to venues across the UK. From forbidden kisses to real-life revolution, When Love Broke the Law is a double bill showing that love has always been our greatest act of defiance.
In Two People Exchanging Saliva, affection itself is a crime – and yet, someone dares to kiss. In Jackie, the fearless story of a pioneering lesbian activist reminds us that real change begins with small acts of courage. Together, these films celebrate desire, protest, and the power of those who refused to live by anyone else’s rules.
FILM SYNOPSIS:
Two People Exchanging Saliva (12A) | Running Time: 36 minutes | French with English Subtitles
Dir. Natalie Musteata & Alexandre Singh (2025 Iris Prize Highly Commended)
In a farcical world where kissing is punishable by death, a personal shopper threatens the status
quo.
Jackie (12A) | Running Time: 20 minutes | English, No Subtitles
Dir. Emily Sargent. Scotland, UK, 2025. (2025 Opening Night)
A short documentary about the life of Jackie Forster; a groundbreaking, outrageous – and largely unknown – LGBT+ rights campaigner whose underground donor sperm operation helped the first queer women to have children. This is the third film to be made with the Iris Prize Documentary Film Finance Fund sponsored by OUTFlix.
The day also includes a two-hour poetry workshop with writer Simon Maddrell; a poetry reading and Q&A panel event with Simon, Lesbians & Gays Support the Miners’ legend Jonathan Blake and Iris Prize Director Berwyn Rowlands; followed by a break for food and an evening screening of the 2014 film Pride, which tells the true story of the unlikely alliance between LGBTQ+ activists and striking miners during the 1984–85 miners’ strike.
Full details of all events taking place across the day can be found on our LGBTQ+ History Month listings page.
MULTI-EVENT SAVINGS:
Book tickets for any two paid events in the programme and receive £1.50 off (automatically discounted at checkout).
Planning to attend everything?
Click here to book the £12 Day Ticket, giving access to all events across the day, subject to availability.