20 – 25 October 2026
From 20–25 October, The Independent marks its 40th anniversary at the ICA with Celebrating Free Thinkers. Reflecting The Independent’s long-standing commitment to independent thought, the week-long festival features documentary, international cinema, literary adaptations and conversations with filmmakers, writers and cultural figures.
The programme begins on 20 October with Geordie Greig’s film, Cancelled: The Rise and Fall of Aung San Suu Kyi, a documentary exploring the dramatic rise and fall of Myanmar’s former leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with a special guest. Later that evening, the festival will screen Wombs of Debt, a brand new 25-minute documentary examining the experiences of female sugarcane cutters in southern India, where punishing working conditions and financial pressures put women’s reproductive health at risk.
On 21 October, the ICA will present Arrows of Desire: Peter Wollen, a screening of Peter Wollen’s Friendship’s Death (1987). The event marks the publication of a new anthology of Wollen’s writings and will include a conversation with the book’s editors, Kodwo Eshun, Oliver Fuke and Nicolas Helm-Grovas.
On 22 October, the ICA will screen Shōhei Imamura’s debut feature Stolen Desire, opening its Long Takes retrospective dedicated to the influential Japanese filmmaker. The programme marks the first major UK retrospective of Imamura’s work in more than 25 years. Later that evening, a screening of Ali & Ava (2021) will open with star Claire Rushbrook in conversation with The Independent’s Jacob Stolworthy.
On 24 October, actor Adam Pearson will join Stolworthy for an on-stage conversation ahead of a screening of Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin (2013).
Further highlights across the festival include the Off-Circuit premiere of The Night Is Fading Away and a screening of Orlando, both accompanied by Q&As.
From 20–25 October, The Independent marks its 40th anniversary at the ICA with Celebrating Free Thinkers. Reflecting The Independent’s long-standing commitment to independent thought, the week-long festival features documentary, international cinema, literary adaptations and conversations with filmmakers, writers and cultural figures.
The programme begins on 20 October with Geordie Greig’s film, Cancelled: The Rise and Fall of Aung San Suu Kyi, a documentary exploring the dramatic rise and fall of Myanmar’s former leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with a special guest. Later that evening, the festival will screen Wombs of Debt, a brand new 25-minute documentary examining the experiences of female sugarcane cutters in southern India, where punishing working conditions and financial pressures put women’s reproductive health at risk.
On 21 October, the ICA will present Arrows of Desire: Peter Wollen, a screening of Peter Wollen’s Friendship’s Death (1987). The event marks the publication of a new anthology of Wollen’s writings and will include a conversation with the book’s editors, Kodwo Eshun, Oliver Fuke and Nicolas Helm-Grovas.
On 22 October, the ICA will screen Shōhei Imamura’s debut feature Stolen Desire, opening its Long Takes retrospective dedicated to the influential Japanese filmmaker. The programme marks the first major UK retrospective of Imamura’s work in more than 25 years. Later that evening, a screening of Ali & Ava (2021) will open with star Claire Rushbrook in conversation with The Independent’s Jacob Stolworthy.
On 24 October, actor Adam Pearson will join Stolworthy for an on-stage conversation ahead of a screening of Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin (2013).
Further highlights across the festival include the Off-Circuit premiere of The Night Is Fading Away and a screening of Orlando, both accompanied by Q&As.
Programme
Tuesday 20 October, 6.30pm
Cancelled: The Rise and Fall of Aung San Suu Kyi + Q&A
This is the story of Aung San Suu Kyi. Mother to two sons, fate and history conspired to bring her to the forefront of Myanmar's push for democratic freedom, the world rushing to build her up as an icon of democracy.
Tuesday 20 October, 8.30pm
Wombs of Debt
A brand new 25-minute documentary examining the experiences of female sugarcane cutters in southern India, where punishing working conditions and financial pressures put women’s reproductive health at risk.
Wednesday 21 October, 8pm
Arrows of Desire Book Launch + Friendship’s Death
Celebrating a new anthology of Peter Wollen's writings, a screening of his film Friendship’s Death (1987) and a conversation with the book's editors, Kodwo Eshun, Oliver Fuke and Nicolas Helm-Grovas. There will be a short reception [with books available for purchase]
at 7pm. The conversation with the book’s editors will take place in the cinema at 8pm.
Thursday 22 October, 8.40pm
Ali & Ava + Q&A
Praised for its naturalistic performances and humane portrayal of working-class life, Ali & Ava offers a hopeful, free-thinking reminder that love can challenge assumptions, break down barriers and arrive when we least expect it.
Thursday 22 October, 6.30pm
The Lower Depths
Stolen Desire
Assigned with adapting a story that shared striking parallels with his own life, Shōhei Imamura’s debut feature tells the tragi-comic tale of a down-and-out kabuki troupe and their idealistic young director, who finds himself caught between artistic ambition and his other, decidedly more carnal, desires.
Friday 23 October, 7pm
Off-Circuit
UK PREMIERE
The Night is Fading Away + Q&A
A projectionist navigating his own precarious living situation finds himself at the centre of an unconventional nocturnal community in Ramiro Sonzini and Ezequiel Salinas' luminous tale of friendship.
Saturday 24 October, 8.30pm
Under the Skin + Q&A
Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin (2013) is a haunting, enigmatic film based on Michel Faber’s novel that follows an unnamed woman, played by Scarlett Johansson, as she moves through the streets of Scotland, drawing men into a mysterious and unsettling world.
Sunday 25 October, 6pm
Orlando
A visually striking and thought-provoking film based on Virginia Woolf’s novel, following its protagonist across centuries as they move through different identities, relationships and social worlds.
Tuesday 20 October, 6.30pm
Cancelled: The Rise and Fall of Aung San Suu Kyi + Q&A
This is the story of Aung San Suu Kyi. Mother to two sons, fate and history conspired to bring her to the forefront of Myanmar's push for democratic freedom, the world rushing to build her up as an icon of democracy.
Tuesday 20 October, 8.30pm
Wombs of Debt
A brand new 25-minute documentary examining the experiences of female sugarcane cutters in southern India, where punishing working conditions and financial pressures put women’s reproductive health at risk.
Wednesday 21 October, 8pm
Arrows of Desire Book Launch + Friendship’s Death
Celebrating a new anthology of Peter Wollen's writings, a screening of his film Friendship’s Death (1987) and a conversation with the book's editors, Kodwo Eshun, Oliver Fuke and Nicolas Helm-Grovas. There will be a short reception [with books available for purchase]
at 7pm. The conversation with the book’s editors will take place in the cinema at 8pm.
Thursday 22 October, 8.40pm
Ali & Ava + Q&A
Praised for its naturalistic performances and humane portrayal of working-class life, Ali & Ava offers a hopeful, free-thinking reminder that love can challenge assumptions, break down barriers and arrive when we least expect it.
Thursday 22 October, 6.30pm
The Lower Depths
Stolen Desire
Assigned with adapting a story that shared striking parallels with his own life, Shōhei Imamura’s debut feature tells the tragi-comic tale of a down-and-out kabuki troupe and their idealistic young director, who finds himself caught between artistic ambition and his other, decidedly more carnal, desires.
Friday 23 October, 7pm
Off-Circuit
UK PREMIERE
The Night is Fading Away + Q&A
A projectionist navigating his own precarious living situation finds himself at the centre of an unconventional nocturnal community in Ramiro Sonzini and Ezequiel Salinas' luminous tale of friendship.
Saturday 24 October, 8.30pm
Under the Skin + Q&A
Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin (2013) is a haunting, enigmatic film based on Michel Faber’s novel that follows an unnamed woman, played by Scarlett Johansson, as she moves through the streets of Scotland, drawing men into a mysterious and unsettling world.
Sunday 25 October, 6pm
Orlando
A visually striking and thought-provoking film based on Virginia Woolf’s novel, following its protagonist across centuries as they move through different identities, relationships and social worlds.
