Film Independent and the United Nations today announce the launch of the Free & Equal Global Film Series — a collection of narrative films and documentaries that explore the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in different parts of the world. The film series is part of the UN’s Free & Equal global campaign to fight homophobia and transphobia.

The program will be launched at the Los Angeles Film Festival with the World Premiere of Out In the Night by Blair Dorosh-Walther on June 15. Out in the Night follows four lesbian and gender non-conforming African-American friends who, after defending themselves from a vicious assault, were branded a lesbian wolf pack in the media, arrested, and incarcerated with egregious sentences. This incendiary documentary reveals the prejudiced media coverage and biases in the criminal justice system that contributed to this miscarriage of justice.

The screening will be followed by a moderated conversation with the filmmakers and Charles Radcliffe, Chief of Global Issues at the United Nations Human Rights Office. Also participating will be Malika Zouhali-Worrall and Katherine Fairfax Wright, directors of Call Me Kuchu, a documentary also included in the Global Film Series.

We are honored to be part of the United Nation’s important Free & Equal initiative said Film Independent President Josh Welsh. We believe in the power of visual storytelling to transform the world for the better, and through the Free & Equal Global Film Series we hope to shine a light on LGBT issues around the world. Out in the Night is an example of the type of filmmaking that we support year-round at Film Independent, and we’re thrilled to have it part of this UN initiative.

Tickets to the UN Free & Equal Global Film Series Launch: Out in the night are still available via website

To learn more about the Free & Equal Global Film Series please visit website