Private Project

Fighting For Pride: Swaziland

'Fighting For Pride' follows Irish journalist and LGBTQ+ advocate Riyadh Khalaf as he explores the struggles of Swaziland’s Queer community. In the face of persistent homophobia, anti-gay laws and threats of violence, this film documents the journey of Swazi activists as they attempt to put on their historic first-ever Pride march.

  • Riyadh Khalaf
    Director
    Queer Britain, I Am, Home, Growing Up Gay, The Story of Yes.
  • Riyadh Khalaf
    Writer
    Queer Britain, I Am, Home, Growing Up Gay, The Story of Yes, Unexpected Fluids
  • Eva Spielvogel
    Producer
    MUNROE BERGDORF : WHAT MAKES A WOMAN, BBC PANORAMA: LAST CHANCE MUMS,
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    LGBTQ, QUEER, ARFICA, IRISH FILMMAKER
  • Runtime:
    29 minutes 35 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 12, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    50,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    Swaziland
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 1080p ProRes
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Buffer Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    September 27, 2018
    Canadian Premiere
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • YouTube Global - Creators For Change Programme
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: Video on Demand
Director Biography - Riyadh Khalaf

Riyadh Khalaf is a journalist, radio presenter, director and producer hailing from Dublin, Ireland.

He is best known for fronting the ground-breaking BBC documentary series ‘Queer Britain’ which received critical acclaim and multiple award nominations.

Of Riyadh, The Guardian writes: “Riyadh Khalaf, skilfully hides journalistic directness behind a chatty exterior as he meets and easily bonds with people living in extraordinary situations.”

In 2018 Riyadh became a Global Ambassador for YouTube's 'Creators For Change' Programme. Riyadh used his ambassadorial grant to develop and executive produce the documentary 'Fighting For Pride: Swaziland'. As an ambassador, Riyadh spent the year speaking to thousands of people at social change summits across in the United States, Europe and Middle East.

Riyadh’s media career began at age 16 when Riyadh built his own pirate radio station in his bedroom. He has since presented and produced programming for BBC Radio 1 (UK), Spin 1038 (Ireland) and KIIS 1065 (Australia).

Riyadh’s YouTube channel has amassed almost 370,000 subscribers and more than 50 million overall views. His short-form videos have made him an online favourite with young audiences all over the world. His viral videos have been featured on BuzzFeed, MTV, MSNBC, CNN, BBC, Channel 4, Huffington Post, Vanity Fair, E! News, MailOnline, Upworthy, The Guardian and many more.

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