Press room

In March, Barbican Cinemas hosts an abundance of international and local filmmakers, poets and curators, in lively and fascinating conversation and introductions across an array of subjects, plus for Award enthusiasts, our ever-popular Oscars Week returns to the Barbican Cinema for another year, the only venue in the UK to collaborate with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and screen 16 Academy Award nominated feature films and shorts. 

The line-up includes world-renowned poet and leading figure of the Black Arts Movement Nikki Giovanni; Scottish poet Daniel Cook discussing changes in the fishing industry; curator Mania Akbari and guests on contemporary Iranian shorts made by women; and director Kevin Macdonald on his new film about fashion icon John Galliano.  

Films and conversations focussing on human rights are at the centre of a number of events in March including Polish director Maciek Hamela on the experience of Ukrainians being evacuated after the Russian invasion in 2022; Singaporean filmmaker Anthony Chen about his new film Drift about a Liberian refugee surviving on a Greek Island; and the line-up of directors at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival including Jen Markowitz on Closing Night, talking about their film Summer Qamp, where queer and trans teens find an inclusive and joyful community. At the end of the month Barbican curator Alex Davidson introduces films by Australian curator and artist Stephen Cummins (1960-94) who portrayed beautiful, haunting and sometimes provocative depictions of gay men in the 1980s and early 1990s. 

Listings 

High & Low: John Galliano  

Wed 6 Mar, 6:30pm 

Cinema 1 

Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald joins Barbican Curator Sonia Zadurian for a conversation following this special preview screening. 

In the Rearview  

Tue 5 Mar, 6:20pm 

Cinema 3 

As part of the New East Cinema series, Polish director Maciek Hamela discusses his compelling documentary in an event hosted by BBC World Service journalist Kateryna Khinkulova. The film offers a glimpse into what some Ukrainian refugees experienced following the Russian invasion in 2022. 

Disruption: Contemporary Shorts by Iranian Women Filmmakers 

Thu 7 Mar, 6:15pm 

Cinema 2 

Featuring a curated programme of six films that put the experiences of women and children at centre stage, this event will be followed by a discussion with Mania Akbari, director Payvand Eghtesadi and curator Sadaf Sadri, hosted by Tiara Sahar Ataii. 

Human Rights Watch Film Festival 2024 

Thu 14 - Fri 22 Mar 2024 

As part of 28th Human Rights Watch Film Festival London presents a line-up of vital and impactful films and discussions, including four UK premiere events at the Barbican. 

Mediha  

Thu 14 Mar 6:15pm 

Cinema 1 

This film about a teenage Yazidi girl recently returned from Islamic State captivity, is followed by a discussion with filmmaker Hasan Oswald, moderated by Yasmine Ahmed, UK director at Human Rights Watch. 

A Revolution on Canvas 

Sat 16 Mar, 6pm 

Cinema 2 

This art-heist-thriller-meets-portrait-documentary delves into the disappearance of over 100 "treasonous" paintings by the co-director's father, revolutionary Iranian artist Nickzad (Nicky) Nodjoumi.  Discussion to follow with filmmaker Sara Nodjoumi. 

After the Fire 

Wed 20 Mar, 6:15pm 

Cinema 2 

A film following a woman’s legal battle for justice following the unlawful killing of her younger brother by police. Discussion to follow with filmmaker Mehdi Fikri and Kartik Raj, Europe & Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch.   

Summer Qamp 

Fri 22 Mar, 6:15pm 

Cinema 1 

In the forests of Alberta, Canada, a group of LGBTQ+ youth attend a camp like no other: a judgment-free zone where they explore their authentic selves while building community, finding joy, and making memories that will last a lifetime Discussion to follow with filmmaker Jen Markowitz.   

Drift  

Tue 19 Mar, 6.15pm 

Cinema 2 

Director Anthony Chen joins Barbican Cinema for a ScreenTalk following a special preview of his fiercely compelling drama. The film follows a blossoming friendship between Jacqueline (Cynthia Erivo), surviving the trauma of having escaped war-torn Liberia, and Callie (Alia Shawkat), an American tour guide on a picturesque Greek island. 

Changing With The Tides  

Sun 24 Mar, 3:30pm 

Cinema 2 

Live poetry readings and a ScreenTalk with guest speaker director Daniel Cook accompany this selection of shorts documenting the dramatic shifts in fishing industries and communities across seven decades. This event is part of this year’s Emerging Film Curators Film Series. 

Nikki Giovanni 

Tue 26 Mar, 6:30pm 

Cinema 1 

World-renowned poet and leading figure of the Black Arts Movementwill join author and broadcaster Emma Dabiri to discuss the release of Giovanni’s latest anthology Poems: 1968-2020, published by Penguin Modern Classics this March. The discussion will be followed by a screening of her award-winning documentary Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project which explores powerful expressions of the Black experience against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement up to Black Lives Matter. 

The Gay Short Films of Stephen Cummins  

Wed 27 Mar, 6:30pm 

Cinema 2 

Barbican Cinema curator Alex Davidson introduces featuring nine shorts by Australian filmmaker, curator and artist Stephen Cummins (1960-94) who portrayed beautiful, haunting and sometimes provocative depictions of gay men in the 1980s and early 1990s. 

Oscar Week Special Previews: Best International Feature nominees 

The Teachers' Lounge 

Thu 14 Mar, 6:25pm 

Cinema 3  

Io Capitano 

Wed 13 Mar, 8:15pm 

Cinema 3 

Barbican Cinema’s ScreenTalks web page is updated with the latest announced ScreenTalks with important voices in the cinema industry and beyond, as well as recordings of previous ScreenTalks.