On 20 November 2025, Queen's University Belfast School of Law, in partnership with Queen's Film Theatre (QFT), launched its inaugural Law on Film event. This groundbreaking initiative promises to become an annual fixture in the cultural and academic calendar. Against the backdrop of a world grappling with contested reproductive rights, shrinking spaces for public discourse, and epidemic levels of violence against women, this event could not have been more timely or necessary.

Curated by the Turner Prize-winning Array Collective, the evening featured two powerful works: their own short film, An Mór-Ríoghain (The Morrigan), and Lizzie Borden's radical 1983 docufiction masterpiece, Born in Flames. Both films highlight systemic inequalities and the urgent need for activism, resonating deeply in a climate where neoliberal imperatives and compromised political leadership are pitched against hard-won freedoms.

Born in Flames, preserved by Anthology Film Archives and restored with support from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and The Film Foundation, remains as incendiary today as when it first challenged audiences to confront racism, sexism, classism, and heterosexism in an imagined socialist democracy. Paired with An Mór-Ríoghain—a haunting meditation on mythology and the campaign to decriminalise abortion in Northern Ireland, the programme underscored the enduring power of art to provoke dialogue and inspire change.

Following the screenings, attendees gathered in the Moot Court for a fascinating discussion brilliantly led by Professor Aoife O'Donoghue, joined by Array Collective members, Laura O'Connor, and Alessia Cargnelli. The conversation bridged law, activism, and creative practice, offering a rare space for critical engagement on issues that matter most. A convivial reception capped the evening.

The event's success was evident: near-capacity attendance at QFT, vibrant participation in the panel, and enthusiastic feedback from guests. As Professor Warren Barr aptly noted, "Bringing together art, activism, and law is something that could really only authentically happen here at Queen's Law School. Roll on next year's event."

Special thanks go to Film Hub NI and the BFI FAN Film Exhibition Fund for their support, as well as to the dedicated team behind the scenes—Dr Norah Burns, Dr Marisa McVey, and Richard Summerville—whose vision brought this ambitious project to life.

In an era when academic freedom and media pluralism are under threat, Law on Film stands as a testament to resistance and imagination. It reminds us that law is not merely a set of rules but a living discourse shaped by culture, creativity, and collective struggle. Bring on next year.

A film of the evening's conversation follows shortly.