During February, we celebrate LGBT+ History Month here in the UK and also Black History Month in the US. To celebrate the convergence of these two events, I wanted to recommend some queer Black movies for you to indulge in. Hopefully, some of these will be new discoveries.
#1 Moonlight (2016) – Directed by Barry Jenkins
Moonlight is probably one of the most famous queer black movies and for very good reason. It tells the story of Chiron, also known as ‘little’ in three chapters, from childhood, through adolescence and adulthood. Set in Miami, Chiron’s world is ravaged by drugs, violence and poverty. Moonlight deals with the intersectionality of masculinity, queerness and blackness. At the centre of this story is Chiron’s relationship with his childhood friend Kevin, a bittersweet love story that runs through Chiron’s childhood into young adulthood. In Kevin, Chiron finds a place where all parts of him are accepted. Jenkins portrays the love between Chiron and Kevin – two black men in a sensitive, beguiling light, which I hadn’t seen before. Moonlight isn’t just incredibly well-written but offers some delectable visuals. It has a warm, heartbreaking feel to it, it’s not a ‘feel good’ romance but leaves you rooting for this love story. Moonlight is truly one of a kind and definitely deserved that Oscar (sorry not sorry La La Land).
#2 Dreamers (2025) – Directed by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor
Dreamers, a british indie directed by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor, was released last year in a select number of theatres across the UK. The film follows Isio, an undocumented Nigerian immigrant who’s been living in the UK for some time, after she gets discovered she’s moved into a women’s detention centre and forms a romantic connection with her roommate. Essentially the story is about queerness within the African diaspora andfinding human connection in an inhumane system. With a short run time (just under 90 minutes), Dreamers manages to tap into a variety of themes. Mainly, the dehumanising process of seeking asylum in the UK, the portrayal of living in a detention centre was raw and honest – which makes sense as the director went through a not so similar process. Additionally, the love story between Isio and her roommate (Farah) blooms in a desolate environment, showing how love and human connection can get people through the toughest times. Love here is also an act of rebellion, this system that every single woman in the detention centre is subject to has been put in place to break them, to make them give up; by finding love and connection in the most heinous environment it’s the ultimate fuck you.
Furthermore, a big part of the movie is the topic of rules and who these are made for. Isio, at the start of the movie, is optimistic and maybe even naive about her position in the system. As the story flows we see Isio question the system and become defiant because she realises the system is set up to fail her. Dreamers is a gorgeous exploration of female friendship and queer love between two African women (which is something I haven’t seen a lot of).
#3 How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2022) – Directed by Daniel Goldhaber
In this, we follow a group of young eco-activitists who take on an extremely dangerous mission to sabotage an oil pipeline. The movie is split into various character chapters and we get an insight into why each character signed up for this mission. It ranges from personal issues such as a Native American character who is violently opposed to the occupation of his land by miners and oil workers, to someone who has a rare form of leukemia from growing up near an oil refinery to a doom scroller who is stuck in his own echo chamber and wants to take a stand. I was ready for this film to portray young environmentalists as unhinged individuals but it subverted my expectations and gave me an unvarnished depiction of why environmentalists might go this far. It’s a fast paced eco-thriller which keeps you at the edge of your seat, the entire runtime. Additionally, what I especially like about this movie is, it doesn’t sit on the fence or tries to make you think if this is wrong or right. It tells you what this group is doing gives you their back stories and makes you sympathise with the humans behind this insane idea. Unlike the other movies I’ve recommended this film doesn’t focus on queerness, rather just two queer women trying to make a difference. If you want to see some young activists including, black queer women be badass, this one’s for you.
#4 Two Black Boys in Paradise (2025) – Directed by Baz Sells
Two Black Boys in Paradise is a short stop motion film based on Dean Atta’s poem of the same name. The story follows Eden and Duala as they go on a journey of self-discovery and overcoming shame. This nine minute film is a tender portrayal of queer love between two young black boys from adolescence through adulthood. Although short it manages to handle the theme of societal disgust of love between two boys and what it means to be a black boy living in London at this time. It features some beautiful lines such as “Black boys are real boys. Black boys are not just little men.” and “They are in love with each other and they are in lnove with themselves.” What I found poignant is this idea of paradise is not exclusive to them specifically but symbolic of queer love. If you’re looking for a sweet queer story I suggest this.
#5 Stud Life (2012) – Directed by Campbell X
Stud Life directed by British filmmaker Campbell X follows JJ, a butch lesbian and her gay best friend Seb as they work as wedding photographers. One night JJ meets Elle and it’s basically love at first sight. We see how this relationship strains the friendship between JJ and Seb and what happens once they really get to know one another. This film lightly taps into various themes such as enmeshment between friends and *** work. Campbell X authentically depicts love in many forms from a marriage of convenience, to a poly relationship. These scenes although short show our protagonists different ways to love and may force some audience to contemplate their stringent view on this topic. Stud Life is a a love letter to London. It’s fun, unserious and portrays peak lesbian and gay solidarity on screen and we love to see it! If you’re looking for an easy, maybe slightly messy watch, this one’s for you.
