Freedom: 50 Years Of Pride | Preview (Channel 4)

The inspiring and important story of five decades of LGBTQ+ activism, told by the people who were there. This year marks the 50th anniversary of UK Pride.

In this feature-length documentary, made in collaboration with Oscar-nominated director Stephen Daldry, and playwright Joe Robertson and the BFI, Channel 4 looks back at the origins and development of a remarkable movement.

With contributions from people with a close relationship to Pride from across the decades - including Olly Alexander, Bimini, Lady Phyll, Sir Ian McKellen, Holly Johnson, Peter Tatchell, Cat Burns, MNEK, Tom Robinson, and Lucia Blayke - it weaves interview testimony and archive material with a series of specially-shot performances at London's Royal Vauxhall Tavern.

By turn heart-warming, mischievous, funny, shocking, and moving, this film explores the battles fought and the shifts in attitudes that have characterised queer activism over the last half-century; and explores the ways in which these changes have been influenced by and reflected at Pride.

It tells some remarkable personal stories of courage, love, support, anger and determination that have defined 50 years of UK Pride. Part protest, part party, part performance, Pride has been and remains a vital, political, celebratory part of the ongoing battle for LGBTQ+ human rights.

Showing as part of Channel 4's season of landmark programmes and specials marking 50 years of Pride in the UK, reflecting on the incredible achievements and challenges of advancing LGBTQ+ rights and visibility over the last half century.

Freedom: 50 Years Of Pride airs Saturday 2nd July at 8pm on Channel 4.