On January 13th, Hostile concluded the second phase of its Impact Campaign with a screening at Portcullis House, UK Parliament.

The film was shown to an audience of approximately 60 guests, including lawmakers, academics, state-school students from London, and social media commentators. This marked the second parliamentary screening of Hostile and the final in-person Q&A led by director Sonita Gale as part of the campaign. The post-screening discussion was hosted by immigration rights activist Zoe Gardner and sponsored by MP Nadia Whittome.

The screening took place at a pivotal political moment, with Labour back in government and Nigel Farage’s Reform Party rising in the polls. The discussion explored the disheartening direction of current immigration policy, the continued legacy of the hostile environment — which began under Labour and remains in place — and concerns that harsh US enforcement models, including ICE practices, could shape future UK policy.

Panellists highlighted the worsening conditions faced by communities affected by No Recourse to Public Funds, and the vital role community organisations play where government support is absent. Central to the discussion was how Hostile has helped bring these issues to wider public attention and create space for dialogue, solidarity, and calls for more humane immigration policies.

As the discussion drew to a close, Zoe Gardner asked Sonita Gale what she hopes Hostile will ultimately achieve. Sonita reflected:

“The first phase of the impact campaign focused on the devastating effects of No Recourse to Public Funds, with the hope that Hostile could help foster a more empathetic and humane response to those living under NRPF conditions. The second phase focused on students — and if even one state-school student who encountered the film through the tour felt inspired to pursue politics or civic life, then the campaign has done its job.”
— Sonita Gale, Director

After the event, Zoe commented: 

“It was a pleasure to be part of the event, and particularly to see such a diverse group of young Brits visiting parliament and engaging with the film. Sonita’s warmth is what really carries these kinds of events – she explains so clearly why education and reaching young people in similar situations as she was at school is so important to her. It felt like a positive, hopeful evening, even in a context of such bleak political times.”

While the event’s sponsor, MP Nadia Whittome, had this to say about the evening:

“Hostile is a compelling portrait of the worsening of the hostile environment and the toll it takes on migrants. It was brilliant to host so many young people in Parliament to watch and discuss it.”

This screening also marked a transition point for the campaign. The second and final phase of the Hostile Impact Campaign focused on education, with Sonita Gale touring state schools across the UK throughout the year. These screenings encouraged students to engage critically with immigration policy, develop empathetic perspectives on migration, and see politics and civic participation as accessible pathways for change.

As this event marked Sonita Gales final in-person Q&A, we have since added further resources to our website, including links to the documentary and companion short film, as well as toolkits to support organisations in hosting their own screenings.

Finally, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported the Hostile Impact Campaign over the past three years — from organisers and panellists to the audiences who engaged so thoughtfully with the film. And thanks to the UK arm of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, whose support through the years made this possible.

Hostile screened at a number of events in the run up to Refugee Week which took place between June 16th to 22nd. 

Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts & culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

It takes place every year around World Refugee Day (20th June) and has evolved into an international movement, with events spanning the globe and the theme for 2025 was “Community as a Superpower”, an idea that truly gets to the heart of Hostile and the film we set out to make.

Over the past few weeks, the film screened at the following locations: 

• ScrapAntics in Dundee, Scotland
• Refugee Studies Center, Oxford University
• University of Reading 
• University of Central Lancashire 
• Swansea City of Sanctuary 
• Newcastle City Library
• Abergavenny Town of Sanctuary 

And we are thrilled by the response the film and are happy to be able to share a sample of some of the messages we have received:

“We screened this documentary as part of our Refugee Week program, the theme of which this year was “Community as a Superpower. Newcastle Library is a Library of Sanctuary which mean we’re part of a movement to show solidarity, welcome and support to new arrivals to the UK. Part of this is raising awareness in our communities about the reality of immigrant experience in the UK. Hostile is a moving and compelling documentary that offered us a perfect way of sharing the human stories behind the headlines. Thank you again to everyone who made this possible.” 

– Toni Ford, Reading Services Specialist at Newcastle Libraries

“Priti Patel, the daughter of asylum-seeking parents herself, supported policies that restrict the rights of migrants and asylum seekers. The film highlights the irony of individuals with similar backgrounds distancing themselves from the struggles they once faced once they’re in positions of power. They choose to uphold systems that harm those in need of the same support they once relied on.”

– Refugee-Led Research Hub Screening Attendee, Oxford University

“Hosting the screening of Hostile during Refugee Week felt really special — it brought people together in a meaningful way. The film opened my eyes to just how relentless and dehumanising the bureaucracy can be for people trying to make a life here. The Q&A with local re-settlers was incredibly rewarding — honest, powerful, and at times challenging — but exactly the kind of conversation we need to be having”

– Laura Walker, Lecturer at University of Central Lancaster

“With many thanks to Impact films for enabling ScrapAntics to show ‘Hostile’,  a poignant voice recognising some of the mass historic failures of colonialism, histories that are not taught in our schools. Also demonstrating the exaggerated difficulties created by the UK government, faced by people in order to live and raise their families in the UK. Whilst recognising the benefits that migration enables.”

– Sandy Greene, ScrapAntics

“The official response to migrants seems cruel, arbitrary, disorganised and dishonest. It is a scar on a rich “democratic” nation. Governments need to stop the rhetoric and hostility and accept the huge contribution migrants make. “

– Attendee at the Abergavenny City of Sanctuary Screening

We want to thank all of the organisers involved for hosting these events and to everyone who attended. 

We  also want to thank the UK arm of the Ben & Jerry’s foundation for supporting all of these screenings, as we come to the final months of the second phase of our Impact Campaign. 

In what was a busy month for our Impact Campaign, Hostile screened at Keele University, Loughborough University and Gloucestershire University all in a span of a few short days, and we have been thrilled by the terrific response from their students.

At Keele, the film screening was organised by Occupational Therapy lecturer Sasha Gardiner, to her Msc students and Bsc students, who called the film ‘eye-opening” and expressed concern about the migrants caught within the immigration system. 

At Loughborough University, the screening was organised in conjunction with STAR Lougborough (Student Action for Refugees), LUSARG (Loughborough University for Students and Academics at Risk Group) and the Migration, Borders, and Mobility group.The group Student Action for Refugees. Their students wondered why the issues in the film were not more well known “in the public consciousness?”, calling the policies cruel, and the film “thought-provoking” and “powerful”.

And finally, this week saw the screening of Hostile to final year Geography students at the University of Gloucestershire, after which organiser Sam Scott – who runs a migration module – said “Hostile is a must-see for students interested in the impacts of hard-line migration policies in the UK. It shows that what many of us take for granted has to be fought for by increasing numbers of migrants in the UK”

It has been wonderful to see all the interest in the film in the run up to Refugee Week 2025, and we have many more events planned over the coming weeks.

Thanks to all the organisers who arranged these events, and to the students who watched the film. And thanks to the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation for the support that makes all of these screenings possible.

In what was a busy month for our Impact Campaign, Hostile screened at Keele University, Loughborough University and Gloucestershire University all in a span of a few short days, and we have been thrilled by the terrific response from their students.

At Keele, the film screening was organised by Occupational Therapy lecturer Sasha Gardiner, to her Msc students and Bsc students, who called the film ‘eye-opening” and expressed concern about the migrants caught within the immigration system. 

At Loughborough University, the screening was organised in conjunction with STAR Lougborough (Student Action for Refugees), LUSARG (Loughborough University for Students and Academics at Risk Group) and the Migration, Borders, and Mobility group.The group Student Action for Refugees. Their students wondered why the issues in the film were not more well known “in the public consciousness?”, calling the policies cruel, and the film “thought-provoking” and “powerful”.

And finally, this week saw the screening of Hostile to final year Geography students at the University of Gloucestershire, after which organiser Sam Scott – who runs a migration module – said “Hostile is a must-see for students interested in the impacts of hard-line migration policies in the UK. It shows that what many of us take for granted has to be fought for by increasing numbers of migrants in the UK”

It has been wonderful to see all the interest in the film in the run up to Refugee Week 2025, and we have many more events planned over the coming weeks.

Thanks to all the organisers who arranged these events, and to the students who watched the film. And thanks to the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation for the support that makes all of these screenings possible.

On March 13th, our 2025 Impact Campaign continued, with a screening of Hostile at Queen Margaret University.

The event – part of our Impact Campaign – included an audience comprising the entire first year cohort of students (from sociology, psychology and education). 

The screening was organised by Dr Mostafa Gamal, a Lecturer in the Division of Psychology, Sociology and Education, who said: “One of the key objectives of this lecture is to entangle my students with the empire and colonialism. The documentary has enabled me to do so as it explored the historical legacies of colonialism and the ways in which these continue to structure immigration policy in the UK.  Through unpacking the Hostile Environment, my students not only developed an understanding of what it feels like to be at its sharp end, they have also developed an understanding of  the operations of state racism:  policies of destitution, slow violence,  collective abandonment and managing migration by death”

A seminar session was allocated to discussing the film, using a support pack provided by Galeforce Films, and as the vast majority of students have not themselves experienced the British immigration system, Dr. Gamal said they found the film very moving.

Below is a range of different responses from the students:

“As an American student on a short visa, I saw this film as an eye opening experience. One that all people should participate in and learn more from. This was deeply impactful and a moving experience that was humbling.”

“Extremely moving. A wonderful and heartbreaking collection of real stories of real people and how a hateful system directly hurts them.”

“The film gave us a new and clear perspective on the privilege of being a UK citizen. It gave a clear message of the struggles that people go through, in particular students and showed all the hoops that the government put in place to “protect” our country but not people who are benefitting us.” 

“A powerful, eye-opening film demonstrating the impact of hostile environment and government policies on people’s lives. I found it very thought provoking and feel like more people need to see it.”

“Raised lots of interesting points, especially about universities funding fees from money abroad/ international students, people taking out loans in their home country. Very eye opening, especially how Brexit could be the next Windrush.”

Thanks so much to Dr. Gamal for hosting the screening, to all the students who attended, and to the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation for making this possible.

On February 28th, our impact campaign continued when Sonita Gale joined students at the Department of International Development at Oxford University, for a screening of the film followed by a Q&A.

The screening was hosted by Nadia Fernandes, a student in Migration Studies (MSc), with a focus on cinema and arranged by Helidah Ogude Dr Palladino, a Departmental Lecturer in Migration and Development. 

The event is part of a series of arts-based initiatives for students getting the Migration Studies degree. Following the event, Nadia said: “Our screening of Hostile brought forward so many layers about what it really means to belong in the UK. As someone who shares a British-Indian heritage with the director, our conversation underscored the personal, often complex nature of identity, and reminded us all that our definitions of ‘home’ and ‘Britishness’ are far from fixed.” 

The Department for International Development (ODID) is part of the University of Oxford’s Social Sciences division based at Queen Elizabeth House. ODID is the hub for postgraduate research on development and global change; their research spans from political relations, economic matters, inequalities and development, to film studies. 

Thanks so much to Nadia, Helidah and Oxford University for hosting the event. And thanks to the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation for the funding that makes this possible.

On February 26th, Hostile’s Impact Campaign continued with a screening of the film at Aston University, which included a Q&A with director Sonita Gale.

The screening was hosted by Dr Jelena Obradović-Wochnik, Co-Director of the university’s Centre for Migration and Forced Displacement, and attended by students from the Migration and Forced Displacement Module, Aston staff, Aston students (undergraduate and postgraduate) and PhD students, as well as networks and collaborators of the University such as the Refugee and Migrant Centre, and the Sanctuary groups in Birmingham. Over the course of the afternoon, Sonita met with students with a lived experience of racism and hostile migration policies.

The Centre for Migration and Forced Displacement at Aston University is a research centre building links with stakeholders in the West Midlands, while leading national and international discussions on migration research, with a specific focus on critical approaches, ethics, representation and innovative research methods. 

Following the event, Dr. Obradović-Wochnik said:

‘Hostile is an important documentary challenging the mainstream narratives on migration, and showing the lived reality of those who are caught up in the UK’s ‘hostile environment’ policy.  The film should form a part of school and higher education discussions on migration as it provides a powerful illustration of how policies created to exclude and divide, ultimately have real-life effects on individuals and their families.  We used the film screening to supplement our teaching on migration and forced displacement, as well as in our public outreach work to engage the wider public on issues of migration. The film was very well received by our audience, and it prompted a discussion of broader questions such as political change and how we can challenge systems of oppression.’

Thanks to Jelena and Aston University for hosting the event, and thanks to the UK arm of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation for providing the funding that made this screening possible.

In January, Hostile was made available to members of the ‘From The Roots Up’ society at the University of Oxford. 

The society aims to ‘positively impact communities by providing support to community-based NGOs through research that addresses knowledge gaps’ and achieves its goals by connecting teams to a community-based NGO to create and conduct research projects. 

The screening was hosted by Katherine Ward, the society’s Communications & Events Officer, who said following the screening: 

“From The Roots Up at Oxford University were incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to screen HOSTILE at the beginning of term. Our society supports refugee-based organisations, with our current project being to produce a welcome booklet for asylum-seekers housed in hotels. HOSTILE provided a powerful insight into UK’s immigration policies and the arising lived experiences and impacts for migrants. 

“Many students mentioned how HOSTILE prompted deep reflection on the challenges faced by migrant communities, and the nuance it is possible to apply to our own booklet creation. Although it contained serious and upsetting content, HOSTILE was an art to watch, and was greatly pieced together and filmed. Many thanks again to the team at Gale Force Films for providing this opportunity for us.”

Thanks to Katherine and everyone at ‘From The Roots Up’ who attended the screening, and to all the schools and universities that have screened as part of our Impact Campaign. 

As always, a special thanks to Ben & Jerry’s for the funding that makes this all possible.

On January 28th, Hostile screened for students Liverpool John Moores University as part of our ongoing Impact Campaign.

The film was screened as part of a module titled “Perspectives of Health” for paramedic students – an ideal setting for Hostile to be a resource, given that the aim of the module is “to develop an understanding of the impact of health and illness on individual and population health… [to] develop an awareness of how social, ethnic, gender and cultural differences influence health and illness.”

We’re glad that the students found it useful, claiming after the event:

“This opened my eyes to the situation migrants face, and I am glad we had the opportunity to watch and discuss this as I will take this forward in my future as a paramedic”

“Understanding the struggles of people to feel a sense of belonging made me think how I can help contribute to a better society”

Jennifer Vasey, a Senior Teaching Fellow at the university, said: “I would also like to add how impactful this screening was. When exploring determinants of health and the impact of hostile policy on individuals it helps our students to see the real-world impact. Recognising the need to address health inequity and contribute to a fairer system is important to us all.”

Thanks to Jennifer and Liverpool John Moores University for organising this event. 

We have some more exciting screenings lined up in additional education settings in the coming months, as our Impact Campaign continues. 

As always, thanks to the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation for your support in making this happen.

On Tuesday, January 28th, Hostile screened at Liverpool Hope University to third year students in Social Science. 

This was the third screening of the documentary, held within the Advanced Research Seminar ‘Contemporary themes on Health and Social Care’.  

The screening was hosted by Dr Simona Palladino, Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences at Liverpool Hope University.  

After the screening, Dr Palladino said: “I am very grateful to witness how much students get from the film. We discussed the lived experiences of some people featured in the documentary and the detachment of leaders of this country to ordinary people. 

“Hostile provides reflection on the policy history that has led to contemporary phenomena of discrimination. Hostile helped students to improve their knowledge on these themes.” 

Dr Palladino said she hopes to continue to share the film with wider audiences. 

Students also shared their thoughts on the film: 

• “Hostile gave good insights on what really happens in this county – not what the media tells you – and some of the processes people have to go through, which I didn’t know even existed.”
• “This documentary [has] shown me the truth about the UK’s relationship with migrant communities, how they are treated and how the government’s decisions affect their life.”

Thanks again to Dr Palladino and Liverpool Hope for hosting the screening, and all the schools and universities that have screened as part of our Impact Campaign. And of course, a special thanks to Ben & Jerry’s for the funding that makes this all possible.

In December, Preston Manor School hosted a screening of Hostile for its 6th Form students at an event that included a Q&A with director Sonita Gale. 

The occasion marked the final screening of the second phase of our impact campaign in 2024. There were 250 students in attendance, and the post-film discussion was led by ex-Student and Governor, Ahir Shah. 

Preston Manor School is located in Brent, where much of the film was shot, making this screening all the more meaningful.

Afterwards, Alison Wilding, the VI Form Lead at Preston Manor School said, “If anyone still needs to be convinced of the power of film, then watch Hostile, a feature documentary by Sonita Gale.  Our VI Form students certainly felt the impact of this important film.”

Ahir added that “The students were engaged throughout, and highly appreciative after. Sonita was also able to do a Q&A, as well as provide wider learning resources, meaning the impact of the film was not simply confined to the screening”.

We are also happy to have heard from the students directly:

• “Having listened to personal stories about being denied basic rights like health access and housing, I feel moved and informed. What struck me most was how these policies create fear and division.”

• “Before I was completely unaware about the hostile environment, but post screening I feel as if I need to take a step and help out in the community in any way possible.”

Thanks again to Alison, Ahir and Preston Manor School for hosting the screening, and all the schools and universities that have screened the film in 2024 as part of our Impact Campaign, and to Ben & Jerry’s for the funding that makes this all possible.

In November, Hostile was screened for students at LAMDA, and was hosted by founder of the Asian Student Union at LAMDA, Brian Tong.

Brian set up the Asian Student Union soon after stepping into the school. He sees it as his mission to stir conversations about the significance of representation within the arts, as well as being a bridge between his culture and his passion.

Continuing our goals for the second phase of our Impact Campaign, the Asian Student Union at LAMDA is the ideal outlet for Hostile to be a resource, given the importance of representation to the union, and how borders can importantly shape migrant students’ life chances and day-to-day existence.

Following the screening, LAMDA’s Director of Development, Elissa Gerrand, said:

“The screening and Q&A for Hostile last week with the LAMDA Asian Student Union was incredibly impactful. It was so powerful to spark a conversation about representation in the industry and to discuss the film’s exploration of immigration, belonging, and identity. Your storytelling and perspective not only resonate deeply but also inspire much-needed dialogue and change. Thank you for sharing your time and insight with such generosity—it truly made a lasting impression on everyone in the room.”

Thanks to Brian Tong for calling for Hostile to be shown to students at LAMDA. 

We have had an amazing response since the start of our final phase of our Impact Campaign, which was made possible thanks to support from the UK arm of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, and we hope to see the film used in more schools and universities across the country over the course of the next year.

In November, the Bristol chapter of the Student Action for Refugees, hosted a screening of Hostile in collaboration with Amnesty International Society.

Student Action for Refugees is a national network of students building a more understanding and just society where refugees are welcomed and can thrive in the UK. Amnesty International is the world’s largest grass-roots human rights group, running campaigns across the globe to ensure every person’s human rights are upheld.  

At Bristol University, they are “focused on carrying out campaigns which achieve active change both locally and internationally.  Last year, our main fundraising efforts were for Bristol’s Sanctuary Scholars Legal Fund, which provides financial support for Bristol students who might be facing asylum claims and appeals and our campaign focus was on refugee rights.” 

Tamryn Nicols, who organised the event, said: “We were very lucky to have the support of the Film Society to make this event a success, and attract a wider range of people who we might not have been able to reach otherwise. We are also grateful to have been able to screen this particular documentary, as Hostile is an incredibly useful and emotive informational tool to engage people in conversations around asylum and migration policy in the UK.”

And in line with our Impact Campaign goals to raise awareness about the Hostile Environment, the feedback from the students attending was eye-opening to say the least:

“I had never thought of how harsh the asylum policies were, this was really insightful”.

“I found this watch both frustrating and motivating to do more. I’ve been wanting to get more involved in advocacy, and this was the sign I needed.”

Thanks to the team at STAR and the Amnesty International Society for incorporating Hostile as a tool to teach the next generation about our current immigration policies.

On October 31st, Film Oxford screened Hostile for students at the BFI Film Academy, as part of a course where industry speakers were invited to speak to help train and inspire the next generation of UK filmmakers.

A group of about two dozen 16-19 year olds participating in the programme watched the film, and later gathered to speak with director Sonita Gale about what it is like to work in the industry. 

The Q&A was a delight, and we received some wonderful responses:

‘It was great to hear Sonita talk about the making of Hostile, and her talk about wishing that she had access to a camera when she was young to document her childhood experiences.’ – Rafete – BFI Film Academy Student

‘I found Sonita’s talk very inspiring, I enjoyed hearing about how she started making the documentary and how it changed along the way.’ – Naz – BFI Film Academy Student

‘I found the talk with Sonita gale really helpful. Sonita advised us to always follow your instincts, and to watch lots of films, keeping getting any industry experience you can and further education in mind’ – Sorcha – BFI Film Academy Student

Film Oxford is a creative arts charity based in East Oxford. Their training courses and production work supports their charitable work with disabled artists, young people and socially isolated groups and individuals. Their work with the BFI Film Academy is meant to give young people an opportunity to get hands-on filmmaking experience and meet and gain invaluable experience from industry professionals.

The screening was made possible thanks to funding from the UK arm of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, who are supporting us through the final phase of our impact campaign. 

Thanks to Nicola Josse, Production & Projects Manager at Film Oxford for organising the event! We look forward to continuing our impact campaign, and connecting with more students in the New Year!

In October, Hostile screened for students at Sussex University by Professor Paul Statham. Continuing our goals for the second phase of our Impact Campaign, the MA in Migration Studies at Sussex University is the ideal programme for Hostile to be a resource, given that they study the dynamics of external and internal borders and how they importantly shape migrants’ life chances and day-to-day existence.

According to Professor Statham, the intention of using the film as part of his curriculum alongside discussions of scholarly literature, was “so that we could try to understand the human costs to ordinary people of today’s highly politicized and restrictive immigration regimes. Hostile is excellent in bringing out the socially lived realities of migrants and de-humanizing impacts that are a direct consequence of UK governments’ anti-migrant policies. The film graphically depicts the brutal and unjust outcomes for those trapped unwittingly as pawns in Britain’s political games that shift ever more towards a populist anti-immigrant agenda.”

One of the Migration and Global Development MA students, from Japan, illustrated how the film made an impact, stating:

“This movie made me realise that these issues are not just “other people’s problems.” As an international student in the UK, I see how our migration policies change constantly, leaving uncertainty about the future. Policies can turn someone into an “illegal” or undocumented individual, and the movie highlights this point so effectively. I’m so glad I watched it because it helped me understand the dilemmas between policies and people’s lives. Behind every policy, there are real people experiencing struggles, often over and over again.”

Thanks to Professor Statham and the University of Sussex for using Hostile as part of your curriculum. 

We hope to see the film used in more schools and universities across the country over the course of the next year.

On Tuesday October 29th, Hostile screened for attendees at the Inequalities and Health Summit 2024 – an event hosted by Liverpool Hope University. 

It was especially important given that the purpose of the event was to explore one of the most important issues facing our society: the relationship between inequality and health. 

The event was opened by Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Richard Kemp, and aimed to find effective and sustainable ways to address widening health inequalities in the North West. 

Participants included Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth; Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Region; and Cllr Liz Parsons- Councillor for Kensington & Fairfield Ward and Liverpool City Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care were among the 200 delegates in attendance. 

Following the event, Dr. Simona Palladino, who helps organise the event, said: 

“The film HOSTILE allowed us to discuss inequalities amongst migrants’ communities in the UK, fitting well with the themes of our Summit, suggesting effective ways to drive positive societal changes. Thus, we are very grateful to have received such a kind offer from Galeforce Film Production. We would be delighted if the film HOSTILE would be shown in other institutions, as a result of our promotion to the Summit. We will ensure we put forth our best efforts to sustain this engagement and continue the conversation about Inequalities in the future.”

The event was organised by Dr Natalija Atas, Dr Hannah Madden, Dr Simona Palladino, Dr Robin Owen, and Dr Richard Webb. We want to thank all the organisers for including Hostile at the summit, and to the UK arm of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation for making this screening possible.

It’s been a fantastic partnership with Liverpool Hope University, and we hope it continues as we aim to get Hostile on to school and university curriculums across the country.